7 temples and shrines, discovering Japanese samurai legend

Sushi, sake, samurai and sacred ruins; this is the final tourist list for Japan. But what if you combine them together? Now, let’s focus on only two: Samurai and the Holy Website. In Japan, you will find temples and shrines related to samurai history, including shrines dedicated to Shogun, family temples in Dayang, and even trapped temples-shams-defensive outposts. Explore these sacred sites and you will unlock various samurai history.

Continue reading the seven shrines and temples with samurai stories written on them.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Tochigi Prefecture

Toshogu Shrine is an awesome monument that covers Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. Born in a samurai family near modern Nagoya in late 1542 or early 1543, Ieyasu saw his fate rise significantly throughout his life, according to sources. After spending a hostage with two independent families in childhood, he continues to be with powerful people and allies. oda nobunagaThis is the first of the three great unifications in Japan, after Nobunaga’s death, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nobunaga’s successor and the second great Unifiers.

During these years, Ieyasu has expanded his territory, influence and power. In the Power Fight after “The Death of Fidesey”,,,,, Ieyasu won the victory, the shogunate ruler he founded Japan from 1603 to 1867. Nikko’s magnificent Toshogu Shrine Shrine Shrine Shrine is the third and last great united person in Japanese history.

Interestingly. It was not until 20 years later that Ieyasu’s grandson Iemitsu greatly expanded the mausoleum that Toshogu began to resemble the extensive shrine complex we know today. Located about two hours north of central Tokyo, the shrine consists of dozens of buildings decorated with intricately carved carvings. Some, such as “Three Wise Monkeys” and “Sleeping Cats”, are already well known around the world.

Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Shimaoka Prefecture

Although Nikko’s Toshogu Shrine is the most famous memorial of Tokugawa Ieyasu, it is not the earliest memorial – the difference is to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, located in Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, 300 km south of Nikko, Shizuoka City.

After passing Shogun Mantle to his son in 1605, Ieyasu saw the last 11 years of his life in Sumpu (Modern Shizuoka City), where he spent his childhood growing age. Ieyasu did not retire in Sumpu, was responsible for diplomatic relations and welcomed trade and hounds. Before his death in the spring of 1616, Iasu left instructions to be buried in Kunozan.

The construction of the shrine began in May 1616, with the master craftsmen Nakai Masakiyo takes the helm, And completed in just one and a half years. Models of Nikko Toshogu and other Toshogu shrines in Japan, Kunozan Toshogu even attracted a new style of shrine architecture, Gongen-Zukuri, where the shelter and chapel inside are connected to a small room, all connected to a single complex roof. In 2010, the nearly 400-year-old shrine was designated as a national treasure of Japan.

A shrine as vibrant as Nikko Toshogu, with many decor to admire, including carvings, sculptures and paintings. In the museums of the shrine, artifacts from Ieyasu’s life are on display, thus giving a deeper understanding of the lives of those who finally determine the unity of Japan.

Ishikawa Prefecture Myoryuji Temple

Self-guided travel is not allowed in this temple in Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture: It is too dangerous. For the same reason, preschoolers are also banned. The many halls hidden in Myoryuji, trap doors, trick stairs, extra floors and obstacles mean it’s too easy to get lost or get hurt. The temple, ostensibly a place of worship by Buddhists, became a maze, and fell into a clumsy trap on it, closely linked to tensions between the Shogunate and the Black Green Family in the decades when Tokawa Iyasu unified Japan.

By the late 16th century, the powerful and wealthy MAEDA family controlled Kaga Domain-the present-day Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. For Ieyasu and his successors, the fate of the MAEDA family and its vast army made them a threat. Although the Meda family secretly cultivated a loyal image, they were ready to defend themselves if the shogunate was attacked. As part of these preparations, Myoryuji was moved from its original location in Kanazawa Castle to the Tera-Machi area of ​​the castle town, where a group of temples were used as outposts, designed to carry out any attacks before reaching the castle.

The impressive temple is a maze-like structure, and from the outside it seems to be two stories – consistent with the Tokugawa Shogunate rule that controls the height of the building. But, in fact, these are four stories, and there are three hidden levels. It has 29 stairs, 23 rooms, secret escape routes and a watchtower. Myoryuji is known for its spoken name Ninjadera -Ninja Temple due to its cunning structure.

Tokyo Prefecture Sengakuji Temple

Sengakuji is a small temple in Minato Ward, Tokyo, famous for their funerals of Ronin and Asano Naganori, where they avenged their vengeance.

47Ronin’s basic story is well known: asano Attack Protocol Official Kira Yoshinaka in Edo Castle was forced to commit Seppuku, whose now useless samurai (“Ronin”) vowed to revenge, and a year and a month, they broke into Kira’s residence and killed him and 28 reterations. However, the details vary by restatement, and although asano is often portrayed sympathetically, he is known to be Impressive and It is widely regarded contemptuously.

Regardless of the facts, after his ritual suicide, he was buried in Sengakuji, the family temple of the Asano family. About two years later, Ronin raised Kira’s head and placed him in his former master. For their crimes, Ronin was sentenced to Seppuku like Asano. They were then buried in Sengakuji, where they continued to be commemorated as a symbol of loyalty and duty.

Even more than 300 years later, even now, Ronin attracts visitors to the graves, especially on December 14, Sengakuji held the annual Ako Gishisai Festival in honor of Ronin. The event combines festive elements such as lively crowds and food stalls, as well as gloomy moments – a parade of 47 people wearing Ronin, from Zojoji Temple to Sengakuji, is a memorial service and traditional dance. The temple also features artifacts related to Akogishi Kinenkan 47 Ronin, a small museum that shows multilingual videos about the history of the event.

Sofukuji Temple, Gifu Prefecture

The roots of this ancient temple in Gifu Prefecture, Gifu City, date back to the Kamakura era (1185–1333), but it gained prestige in 1567 when it became a family temple for the powerful Oda family. This family ruled the gifu area until shortly before the decisive battle of Sekigahara in 1600, when it landed in the Eastern Army of Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Battle of Gifu Castle. Oda Hidenobu, grandson of Oda Nobunaga, made the mistake of betting on Ieyasu, and he paid the price for the wrong calculation. Oda was defeated, and Hidenobu’s fixed man died or committed Seppuku in the castle.

The ODA’s violent fall connects with Sofukuji through the ceiling of the main hall of the temple, where visitors will notice strange stains. Although often mistaken for water damage, these spots are believed to be the blood of the warriors, falling down in the fierce battle of the battle. When most of the castles were destroyed, the floor was saved and installed in Sofukuji in honor of the dead and respecting their resistance to Ieyusa’s consolidation of power.

Sofukuji is suitable for ODA’s family temple and also has several artifacts related to Nobunaga, and is the last resting place for Nobunaga and his son Nobutada. Their tombs can be found at the back of the hall. Every November, the temple holds a solemn Oda Nobunaga memorial ceremony at Gifu City’s lively Gifu Nobunaga Festival, which includes parades, period costumes, music, dances, and more.

Hanyu Gokoku Hachimangu Shrine, Toyama Prefecture

Hanyu Gokoku Hachimangu Shrine is located in Kurikara Prefecture, Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture. Although Peace Park is now known for its 6,000 cherry trees, its historical tranquility goes far beyond: it was the site of the Battle of Curicara about 840 years ago.

This battle was a key turning point in the Genpei war, a conflict between two powerful samurai families (aka Genji) and Taiwan (aka Heike). By 1180. By the time of the Battle of Kurikara in 1183, the war had been broadcasting at the lower Mimmer for several years, including natural diseases, including a disease, including a disease, including a disease. In Kurikara, it restores life – one might say Hanyu Gokoku Hachimangu played a role in the outcome of the skirmish.

Before the battle, Minamoto army general Minamoto No Yoshinaka visited the shrine and prayed to the god of war Hachiman to win. Whether it was Hachiman’s intervention, Minamoto’s clever strategy development – including the chaos caused by mailmarking a torch-filled cattle to the Taira camp, or the combination of the two, Minamoto won. For Taiwan, the Battle of Kurikara represents the beginning of the end.

In 1185, the war ended, Yoshinaka’s cousin Minamoto No Yoritomo established the country’s first shogunate shogunate, ruled by Kamakura, a fishing village located in modern Kanagawa prefecture – military capital.
Although Yoritomo was Minamoto who rose to Shogun, Yoshinaka commemorated on Hanyu Gokoku Hachimangu. On the ground of the shrine, a bronze Yoshinaka was dressed in armor, and golden black fruit adorned his helmet and sat on his horse. This statue is one of the largest rider statues in Japan, but it may not be the most interesting statue in the Kurikala County Park area. In the cherry blossoms, visitors to the park will find large cattle sculptures burning torches associated with their horns in honor of this is the most imagined battle strategy in the Genpei war.

oyamazumi Shrine, ehime Prefecture

Oyamazumi Shrine is the most isolated place of worship on this list Sedo Inland Sea. Although the shrine itself is beautiful, the history of the buildings dates back to the Muramachi period (1336–1573), the main attraction is the historical objects collected by the shrine, especially those related to combat.

Oyamazumi Shrine has about 80% of all samurai artifacts registered as national treasures and important cultural qualities. These include tachi long sword, samurai sword, naginata The sternum, thigh plaque and helmet of the blade; its oldest weapon is the tachi from the Medium Period (794–1185).

The shrine’s incredible variety of weapons and armor comes from the products of the most famous samurai in Japan, who will pray in Oyamazumi to achieve success. If success is coming, they will return and send weapons or other items back to the shrine. The artifacts of particular note include Minamoto no Yoritomo’s armor, the first Shoguns of Kamakura Shogunate, and a small piece of armor belonging to Tsuruhime, “Arc of Seto Innland Sea”, who has taken Arms Arms since he was 16 to protect Omishima from invaders.

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