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- Category: Shrine / templeArea: Nikko
Sanzaru (Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine/Shinkyusha) The "Three Wise Monkeys" refers to the monkey carvings on the walls of the Shinkyusha building of Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine. The Shinkyusha building was built to tie down the god horses. The monkey carvings were engraved to protect over the horses. The monkey carvings show the life span of a human being, and the 3 monkeys appear on the second panel. The 3 monkeys, which are quite famous for the phrase, "monkey don't see, monkey don't say, monkey don't hear", was made to protect children. This phrase has a purpose to protect children from all bad things and only expose them to positive things.
- Category: Shrine / templeArea: Nikko
Nakiryu (Nikko Toshogu Shrine/ Yakushi Temple) You can find the Nakiryu, or the roaring dragon, in the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, located in the northern west part of Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. The Nakiryu is drawn on 34 sheets of Hinoki panels. This drawing has been placed on the panel-lined ceiling of Toshogu Shrine's largest structured building, the Yakushi Temple. The painting of 6m vertically and 15 horizontally, is so large that it seems as if the dragon will pop out at you any second. If you ring the wooden clappers under the dragon's head, a loud echo fills the room, making a similar sound to the roar of a dragon. Although the painting was burnt once in 1961, it was quickly repaired, and has been kept safe ever since. There are also a couple other shrines and temples in its surroundings that are worth taking a look at! (2018/12/18)
- Category: Shrine / templeArea: Nikko
Nikko Toshogu Shrine Nikko Toshogu Shrine, in the city of Nikko, Tochigi, was founded in 1617 to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu was the founder of the Tokugawa government, and this shrine was made in honor of him. The shrine was re-built in 1636, and has not been changed since then. There are 8 buildings on the shrine grounds that are designated as national treasures, such as the Yomeimon Gate. 34 other buildings are designated as important cultural properties, like the Shinkyusha, which is famous for the depiction of the three monkeys. At the exhibit in the shrine grounds, there are displays of goods used by Tokugawa Ieyasu himself, such as hanging scrolls and works of art.
- Category: Shrine / templeArea: Nikko
Youmeimon Gate (Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine) Youmeimon gate is located in the Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine, which is located in the northern west part of Tochigi Prefecture. As the gate has been chosen as a world heritage and a national treasure, it possesses a beauty like no other. After the great repair of the Heisei period was over in 2013, the decorations were upgraded, creating an even more beautiful gate. With the Dokyousai Festival's "Hundred Things Thousand People Mushagyouretsu" as a start, the Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine holds many events throughout the year. In addition, at the Toshogu Shrine Treasure Hall, there are cherished items of the enshrined Tokugawa Family and other tools used for many festivals.
- Category: Shrine / templeArea: Nikko
Rinnoji Temple Rinnoji Temple locates in the city of Nikko in Tochigi prefecture. The garden in it, Shoyoen Garden, was made during the Edo period (1603 – 1867) by the aristocrat Kobori Enshu. The garden features a pond in the center, and is a built in a traditional Japanese style. The Rinnoji Temple grounds are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Behind the temple stands Mount Nyohosan. The garden is filled with seasonal flowers and trees such as azaleas and maples. Every autumn, the garden hosts a fall foliage light-up event, where you can enjoy a romantic evening walk through the garden. At the Rinnoji Treasure Exhibit, over 50 documents are exhibited. These documents are from the 1,230 years of Rinnoji Temple’s history.