Temples and shrines in Japan

During a trip to Japan, whether short or short, Shinto Shinto Shrines and Japanese Buddhist temples will be important points of interest for every traveller. Whether they are very important or buried between buildings, it is impossible to visit Japan without seeing one, since these two religions (/philosophys) that coexist in harmony in Japan are very present in the daily life of the Japanese.

Quickly recognize a temple or sanctuary

First of all, in Japanese form, whether on a plan or a guide:

-Shinto shrines will have a finish in jinja or taisha
– Buddhist temples will have a dera, tera, ji or in ending.

The two types of spiritual places are quite different from the architectural point of view.

If the main entrance is marked by a torii, you are in a Shinto shrine. Most often in wood covered with a superb vermilion red colour, it is also possible to see stone or bronze. (Modernity is also found in cement.)

For Buddhist temples, the entrance will be imposing with at least a large main door and sometimes secondary doors. In addition, at the entrance you can see Niô statues. The Niô are the guardians of Buddhist temples. Taking the appearance of warriors, they have a frightening physiognomy in order to repel the evil spirits. One with a closed mouth while the other with an open mouth.

Shinto shrines in detail

There are about 7 large types of shrines.

Imperial Shrines

Almost all were appointed by the Japanese government during the Meiji period (1868-1912). They are managed by the government. They are often struck with chrysanthema, symbol of the imperial family, and most often bear the name “jingu” rather than “jinja”. The shrines of Ise (Isa), Meiji (Tokyo) or Heian (Tokyo) are important imperial shrines.

Hachiman Shrines

These shrines are dedicated to the kami (spirit) of the war called Hachiman. There are about 25,000 in Japan. The best known is the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gû de kamakura founded by Minamoto Yoriyoshi in 1063.

Inari Sanctuary

There are about 40,000 in Japan. These shrines are dedicated to the kami (spirit) of rice named Inari. They are recognized by the presence at the entrance of the sanctuary of statues of foxes who are messengers of the kami. One of the most famous shrines is the Fushimi Inari jinja shrine (Fushimi).

Sengen Sanctuary

These shrines are dedicated to Princess Konohanasakuya, goddess of Mount Fuji. There are about a thousand of them throughout Japan.

Tenjin Shrines

These shrines are dedicated to the scholar and politician Sugawara Michizane sanctified in Kami after his death. These shrines are popular with students. There are several hundred of them. They are recognizable by the presence of plum trees (sugawara Michizane’s favorite trees) and ox statues. The most famous Tenjin shrine is the Dazaifu Tenmangu of Fukuoka with its 6,000 plum trees.

Local sanctuary

There are thousands of shrines dedicated tokami(local spirits).

Sanctuary of clan leaders

These shrines are dedicated to an important family or clan leader. It does not fall into any of the previous categories. We can mention the dozen Toshô-gû shrines dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, including the most famous and the Toshô-gû shrine of Nikko. This is also the case with the Kanazawa Oyama shrine built for Maeda Toshiie.

There is a modern shinto sanctuaries classification system called shakaku seido. They are divided into two main categories: imperial shrines (Kampeisha or are venerated emperors, imperial family members) and national shrines (Kokuheisha).

Buddhist temples in detail

Most Buddhist temples in Japan belong to one of these four main styles:

   Wayō: This style was developed in Japan in art and architecture during the Heian period by the Tendai and Shingon esoteric Buddhist sects, on the model of contemporary Chinese architecture.

    daibutsuyō: This Japanese religious architectural style appeared in the late 12th century or early 13th century, also based on the model of contemporary Chinese architecture. Daibutsuyo is the antithesis of the simple and traditional wayō style.

The Nandaimon of Tōdai-ji and the Amida building of Jōdo-ji in Ono are the only remaining examples of this style.

    Zen shūyō: This style, which takes its name from the Zen Buddhist sect, appears at the end of the 12th century or at the beginning of the 13th century, still on the model of contemporary Chinese architecture. The butuden (main building of celebration) is also typical of this style, which has only one level but seems to possess two because of its curved covered roof called mokoshi;

    set chūyō: This architectural style was born in Japan during the Muromachi era, from the fusion of the three previous styles, Wayō, Daibutsuyō and Zen Shuyo. The combination of wayo and daibutsuyo in particular has become so common that sometimes it is classified separately by specialists as shin-wayō

Different architectures

Where shinto shrines are usually composed of two buildings,Buddhist temples are made up ofseveral buildings, chacun for specific use.

Thus, in Shinto shrines, one can count the “Haiden” , a religious building where most ceremonies take place, and “HondenA closed building reserved for deities.

On the side of Buddhist temples, the structure is a little more elaborate: there is a main building called “kondōliterally “Golden Room”, where the Buddha statue, the “Tō” (), famous pagoda that usually reaches between three and five floors, as well as “kōdōThe study and meditation room. In some of the largest temples, we can also find different other wings: the “kyōzō” (shōrō” (jikidōa kitchen (kuriA dormitory (sōbō.

Now that you know how to differentiate temples and shrines, all you have to do is visit them and discover these places full of history and spirituality. As in all places of worship, there are good practices to know and many traditions to discover such asGoshuin.

Si cet article vous a apporté des informations utiles et peut aider d’autres voyageurs à préparer leur séjour, un avis Google en cliquant sur l’image suivante sera toujours apprécié.