2015年12月29日火曜日

Ise Jingu

Jingu / Ise Jingu

 Jingu is often introduced in the dictionary as "Ise Jingu." However, the official name is "Jingu" without "Ise."
 Ise Jingu is the most important and popular shrine for Japanese people and several millions of Japanese people visit every year.
 Jingu is principally composed of the Naiku where Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestral kami of the Imperial Family, is worshiped, and Geku where Toyouke Omikami, the kami of agriculture and industry, is worshiped.
 Naiku is the alternative name for Kotaijingu, the sanctuary that is located in the southern part of Ise city, Mie, and was founded about 2000 years ago.
 Geku is the alternative name for Toyoukedaijingu. This sanctuary is located in the center of Ise city, Mie, and was founded about 1500 years ago.
In the area around Jingu, 125 subsidiary shinto sanctuaries are distributed. 91 of them are connected with the Naiku and 32 with the Geku.
Jingu is described in the oldest Japanese books "Kojiki" and "Nihonshoki", edited about 1300 years ago.
Many generations of our ancestors have worshiped at the Jingu, which exists now just as it was at its beginning.(source)




謹賀新年
新年明けましておめでとうございます。東日本大震災による福島第一原子力発電所の事故を契機に始めた当ブログは今年で5年になります。日本が幾多の困難を乗り越えて希望と安全の国になれるよう、今年も応援してまいります


伊勢神宮について
三重県伊勢市にある伊勢神宮は天照大神をおまつりする皇大神宮(内宮)と天照大神のお食事を司る神の豊受大神をおまつりする豊受大神宮(外宮)を中心とする125の宮社の総称です。外宮から内宮の順に参拝します。




These pictures were taken on August 2015.


About Ise Jingu

Google map
Ise Jingu (Geku)

Google map
Ise Jingu (Naiku)




Toyoukedaijingu / Geku
豊受大神宮/外宮
Geku is the alternative name for Toyoukedaijingu. This sanctuary is located in the center of Ise city, Mie, and was founded about 1500 years ago.
Toyoukedaijingu / Geku
Hiyokebashi Bridge
火除橋
This wooden bridge marks the entrance to Geku
Hiyokebashi Bridge
Torii ; a symbolic structure of Shinto
鳥居
Torii
Torii

Main sanctuary
正宮
Main sanctuary
 The entrance to Main sanctuary
The entrance to Main sanctuary




Kotaijingu / Naiku
皇大神宮/内宮
 Naiku is the alternative name for Kotaijingu, the sanctuary that is located in the southern part of Ise city, Mie, and was founded about 2000 years ago.
Kotaijingu / Naiku

Isuzugawa River
五十鈴川
Isuzugawa River

Ujibashi Bridge
This woodenbridge is newly constructed every twenty years.The architectural style of the Ujibashi Bridge is purely Japanese and its length is over 100 meters.
宇治橋
Ujibashi Bridge

Torii
Torii

Main sanctuary
正宮
A divine palace of Amaterasu-Omikami stands here.
Main sanctuary

Mishine-no-mikura
御稲御倉
One of the auxiliary jinja of Naiku to store harvested rice for offering to kami in rituals.
Mishine-no-mikura

Kintetsu Railway
近鉄
Kintetsu Railway


Japanese foods are good and safe.
Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.

Matsusaka beef
松阪牛
Matsusaka beef

Sushi
寿司
sushi


mochi ; rice cake
mochi ; rice cake

Anmitsu
あんみつ
Anmitsu


 About 5 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
 As PM Abe said, Mie Prefecture is very far away from Fukushima, people in there have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in there have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Mie Prefecture. So people in there have no concern about the accident.
 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.



公衆衛生ネットワーク
公衆衛生ネットワーク
Public Health Network in Japan

2015年12月22日火曜日

Toshidaiji Temple

Toshidaiji Temple

World Heritage watching ; Toshidaiji Temple
唐招提寺
Toshidaiji temple was founded by Chinese Buddhist priest Jianzhen, Ganjin in Japanese, in 759 as an institute dedicated to the learning of Buddhist commandments. 
Several buildings in this temple date back to the 8th century. Among them, the main hall is the structure of the 8th century remaining, and the lecture hall is a building used at Heijo Palace.

唐招提寺は、唐の高僧鑑真和上が759年に建立したお寺です。聖武天皇に招かれ、12年もの間、幾度にも及ぶ苦難の末に来日を果たした逸話が有名です。奈良時代(8世紀)に建立された金堂と講堂は国宝です。

These pictures were taken on July 2015.


Nandai-mon ; Southern Great Gate
南大門
Nandai-mon ; Southern Great Gate
 Toshodaiji Temple is located in what seems today to be the outskirts of Nara, but this area was a central block of the city when it was the capital of Japan about 1250 years ago. It was in 759 that the Emperor at that time granted the former residence of Emperor Tenmu’s son, Prince Neetabay Shin-no, for the establishment of Toshodaiji Temple. The name is derived from the facts that its first abbot Ganjin was from Toh, or the Tang Dynasty in China, and that it was founded as a place for Buddhist training under his guidance.  Toshodaiji was the first temple in Japan to be devoted to one of the Chinese Buddhist denominations --- namely the Nanzan school. Even today Toshodaiji is regarded as the head temple of Japan’s Ritsu-shu denomination of Buddhist teachings.
About Toshidaiji Temple
Toshidaiji Temple


Kondo; Golden Hall or Main Hall 
金堂
Kondo is the greatest Tempyo Era structure (of the 8th century) remaining in Japan today. 
Kondo; Golden Hall or Main Hall


Kondo Naijin ; Inner sanctum
金堂内陣
Kondo Naijin ; Inner sanctum


Kodo; Lecture Hall
講堂 
During the 8th Century, Buddhist temples were not only places for religious training but for learning in general; and the Kodo Lecture Hall was used as an assembly and lecture hall for all the surrounding temples. Today the Kodo alone has miraculously remained until today.
Kodo; Lecture Hall
Kodo; Lecture Hall


Azekura ;  wooden repositories
校倉(あぜくら)
There are two azekura, or wooden repositories. The southern one was for the storage of precious sutras, and the northern one for treasures. Both were built even before the famous Shoso-in azekura in Todaiji Temple which was constructed in 756.
Azekura ;  wooden repositories


Gobyou; Ganjin’s tomb
鑑真和上御廟
Gobyou; Ganjin’s tomb
Gobyou; Ganjin’s tomb
Gobyou; Ganjin’s tomb


Lotus
Lotus



Japanese foods are good and safe.

Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.


Lemonade
レモネード
Lemonade

Breakfast
Breakfast

 4 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
 As PM Abe said, Nara Prefecture is very far away from Fukushima, people in there have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in there have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Nara Prefecture. So people in there have no concern about the accident.
 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.

Public Health Network in Japan
公衆衛生ネットワーク
Public Health Network in Japan

2015年12月18日金曜日

Yakushiji Temple



World Heritage watching ; Yakushiji Temple

Yakushiji Temple
薬師寺
 Originally founded in 680, this temple prospered under the patronage of the imperial court in the 8th century.
Since that time, the temple was to tragically lose all of its buildings to fire, with the exception of its east pagoda.
Restoration work has continued since 1967, and today, visitors can see many buildings reconstructed by using traditional methods and techniques.

奈良の薬師寺は「法相宗[ほっそうしゅう]」の大本山です。天武天皇により発願(680)、持統天皇によって本尊開眼(697)、更に文武天皇の御代に至り、飛鳥の地において堂宇の完成を見ました。その後、平城遷都(710)に伴い現在地に移されたものです。(718)
現在は平成10年よりユネスコ世界遺産に登録されています。


These pictures were taken on July 2015.

Yakushiji Temple
Yakushiji Temple

About Yakushiji Temple

Google map

 Yakushiji Temple was built in the year 680 by the Emperor Tenmu, praying for a cure to the illness of Uno-no-Sararahime-Miko (Empress under Emperor Tenmu, and later the Empress Jito). The temple was originally located in Fujiwara-kyo (the capital city from 694 to 710). In 718, it was moved to its present location in the capital at Nara. Due to numerous fires, including the flames of war, the only building that remains of the temple of that period is the To-to (the eastern pagoda, of the two pagodas situated on the east and west). This pagoda is designated as a National Treasure. The Kon-do (the hall that enshrines the main deity) was restored in 1976. The Sai-to (the western pagoda) was restored in 1981, with the Chu-mon (the gate situated between Nandai-mon and the main buildings) being restored in 1984, and a portion of the corridor being restored in 1991.The To-to pagoda, which has three roofs, is a three-storied pagoda. This pagoda is especially noteworthy for the small roof-like eaves on each story, which make it look like a six-storied pagoda. The Yakushi-sanzon, which is housed in the Kon-do, is a leading Buddhist image of the 7th century. It was greatly admired by Ernest Fenollosa, an American who contributed to the restoration of traditional Japanese fine art in the 19th century.

Bell
鐘楼
Bell

Daikodo; lecture hall
大講堂
Daikodo; lecture hall
This hall is not only the largest hall in the temple, that is 41m. wide, 20m. deep, and 17m. high but also in the wooden architecture in this century in Japan. This hall enshrines Maitreya Buddha Triad, ( National important art object, Hakuho Period) who was introduced as a reincarnation of the real person of Buddha.

Maitreya Buddha Triad
弥勒三尊像 【重要文化財】 白鳳~天平時代
Maitreya Buddha Triad


Kon-do; Main Hall (M)
Sai-to; West Pagoda (Rt)
To-to; East Pagoda (Lt) is under restoration work.
東塔(左) 金堂(中) 西塔(右)
Kon-do; Main Hall (M), Sai-to; West Pagoda (Rt), To-to; East Pagoda (Lt) is under restoration work.
Kon-do; Main Hall
There are some statues in the Main Hall.

Yakushi-sanzon; Yakushi-Triad in the Kondo
薬師三尊像(国宝・白鳳時代)
 Yakushi-sanzon; Yakushi-Triad in the Kondo


Sai-to; West Pagoda
西塔
Sai-to; West Pagoda
There are statues of Buddha in the Pagoda.
Sai-to; West Pagoda


Chu-mon; Middle Gate
中門
Chu-mon; Middle Gate

Nitennouzou ; Two Heavenly Kings
二天王像
Nitennouzou
Nitennouzou

Nan-mon; South Gate
南門
Nan-mon; South Gate

Genjo-sanzoin-Garan
玄奘三蔵院伽藍
Genjo-sanzoin-Garan



Japanese foods are good and safe.
Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.



Warabi-mochi ; bracken-starch dumpling
わらび餅
Warabi-mochi ; bracken-starch dumpling

Ekiben ; A box lunch sold at a railroad station
駅弁
Ekiben ; A box lunch sold at a railroad station

Tempura ; deep-fried fish and vegetables in a light batter
天ぷら
Tempura ; deep-fried fish and vegetables in a light batter


 4 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
 As PM Abe said, Nara Prefecture is very far away from Fukushima, people in there have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in there have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Nara Prefecture. So people in there have no concern about the accident.
 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.

Public Health Network in Japan
公衆衛生ネットワーク
Public Health Network in Japan


2015年12月8日火曜日

Gangoji Temple

World Heritage watching ; Gango-ji Temple

This edifice used to be a part of the priests' living quarters of the Gango-ji Temple, and was reconstructed as its main hall (National Treasure) and Zen-Shitsu hall (National Treasure) in the Kamakura period (1192-1333). The temple has attracted commoners since the Middle Ages. Numerous stone Buddhas and folk materials were discovered in the precincts. Thanks to the grand repair from the 25th to 29th year of Showa (1950-1954), we can enjoy appreciating the temple structures at the time of the Kamakura period's reconstruction. In the storehouse are a small wooden five-storied pagoda (National Treasure), a wooden sitting statue of Amida Buddha, Chiko Mandala, an abundance of articles on folk belief, and so on.


奈良市の元興寺(がんごうじ)は、蘇我馬子が飛鳥に建立した日本最古の本格的仏教寺院である法興寺を前身とする寺院で南都七大寺の1つです。屋根には日本最古の飛鳥時代の瓦が使われており世界遺産です。
 

Gango-ji Temple
元興寺

East Gate
東門
East Gate
This temple was originally founded in the 6th century as the first Buddhist temple in Japan. Even today several 6th century-roof-tiles are used for its Gokurakudo and Zenshitsu halls. These halls are said to be the architectural remains of the 8th century dormitory for Buddhist monks.

About Gango-ji Temple


Google map

Gokurakudo ; mandala main hall
National Treasure
国宝 極楽堂
Gokurakudo ; mandala main hall

Zen-shitsu ; contemplation Hall
National Treasure
国宝 禅室
Zen-shitsu ; contemplation Hall

The roofing tiles of Gokurakudo and Zen-Shitsu are the oldest in Japan.
日本最古の瓦
The roofing tiles of Gokurakudo and Zen-Shitsu are the oldest in Japan.
The roofing tiles of Gokurakudo and Zen-Shitsu are the oldest in Japan.

Stone statues
石仏
Stone statues

Kaeru-isi ; Flog like stone
かえる石
Kaeru-isi ; Flog like stone

Chiko Mandala
重文 板絵智光曼荼羅
Chiko Mandala
An infrared photography of the Chiko mandala of the Gangoji drawn on a wooden panel Important Cultural Property


Five-Storied Small Pagoda
Five-Storied Small Pagoda
Nara Period
National Treasure
国宝 五十小塔

Prince Shotoku
Prince Shotoku
at his age of sixteen
Important Cultural Property
重要文化財 聖徳太子立像source http://www.gangoji.or.jp/tera/eng/top4.htm


Japanese foods are good and safe.

Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.


Wagyu ; Japanese beef
和牛
Wagyu ; Japanese beef


Beefsteak
ビーフステーキ
Beefsteak

Salad
サラダ
Salad



 4 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
 As PM Abe said, Nara Prefecture is very far away from Fukushima, people in there have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in there have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Nara Prefecture. So people in there have no concern about the accident.
 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.

Public Health Network in Japan
公衆衛生ネットワーク
Public Health Network in Japan