We saw SO many Shinto Shrines. There are 800 shrines in Kyoto, alone. (And 1300 Buddhist temples, but that's another post.) You enter through one of these Torii Gates, which represents the boundry between the world of the body and the world of the spirit. The rope also represents the sacredness of the object, and (as here) is hung with sacred paper.
Next up is the fountain where one is supposed to watch one's hands, pouring the water over them.
Inside there is a small temple building where only the priests are allowed.
Which is guarded by creatures, generally lion-dogs. One has it's mouth open and the other closed.
One stands in front of the alter, pulls on the bell cord to ring it, claps (bell-ringing and clapping are both meant to make the gods pay attention), and then you pray.
Here one can buy a fortune, which can be good or bad. The bad ones are left here, tied onto a rope or a tree twig, in order to leave the bad fortune behind.
You can also buy a wooden plaque to write prayer requests on.
These things are present at every shrine. They are lovely. And wonderful, spiritual places to be...
This particular shrine was right next door to our hotel and was not on any map. These shrines are EVERYWHERE.
I'm so enjoying all these photos and reading about your adventures.
Love those pink blossoms.
Posted by: tinker | Saturday, April 04, 2009 at 10:11 AM