Meiji
Jingumae
Meiji
Jingumae Station
is located immediately adjacent
to Harajuku Station in Harajuku
district of Shibuya Ward. It lies
on the Chiyoda subway line further
down Omotesando on Meiji Dori.
Areas
of interest:
Meiji
Shrine
Located
close to Meiji Jingumae Station,
Meiji Shrine, or Meiji Jingu, is
a Shinto Shrine dedicated to the
souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife
Empress Shoken. The Emperor and
Empress died in 1912 and 1914 respectively,
and the shrine was built to venerate
them. This shrine was completed
in 1958, as the original Meiji Jingu
was destroyed in air raids during
World War II.
The
entrance to the shrine grounds has
two 40-feet high torii (traditional
Japanese gates) with 56 feet long
crosspieces. These torii symbolize
the separation of the outside secular
world from the spiritual world inside
the grounds.
The
shrine complex consists of:
-
The
Main Shrine Building :
This consists of the Main
Shrine built in the
Nagerezukuri style of Japanese
cypress from Kiso, which is
considered the best lumber in
Japan; the Noritoden
, where words of praise
are recited for the Emperor
and Empress; Naihaiden
, the Inner Shrine;
Gehaiden ,
the Outer Shrine; Shinko
, the Treasure
House , which houses
articles of the Emperor and
Empress - including dresses
and uniforms, portraits of the
Emperor and Empress, and a horse-carriage;
the Shinsenjo,
the kitchen where food is prepared
for offerings; and some office
buildings.
2. Kaguraden
(Hall of Shinto
Music and Dance): This
three storey building,
completed in 1993, was built to
commemorate the 70 th anniversary
of Meiji
Shrine. Only one floor of this building,
built in traditional architectural
design, is
above the ground, with two floors
below ground level. There is a hall
on the
ground floor that can seat 800.
Here traditional dance and music
are offered to
the deities.
3. The
Meiji Jingu Sukeikai
(Worshippers' Hall):
Meiji Jingu Sukeikai was
started in 1946 by people who were
worried about the social and spiritual
confusion after World War II. Ever
since, the organization has worked
for
promoting social stability and offering
spiritual guidance throughout the
country.
Its members believe in revering
the deities and ancestors, respecting
the
Imperial Family, and promoting peace
in the world.
4.
Shiseikan: This
is a training hall for traditional
Japanese martial arts.
Courses and lectures are given
here to both the young and the old
in Kyudo
(Japanese archery), Kendo (Japanese
fencing), Aikido, and Judo.
5. Gyoen
(the Inner Garden): This
beautiful garden with a rural atmosphere
was often visited by Emperor
Meiji and Empress Shoken, who appreciated
its
natural beauty. Most of the 120,000
trees of 365 different species in
the garden
were donated by the public when
the shrine was built. Located in
various parts
of the garden are a tea house, a
fishing spot, a bower, and an iris
garden - all
connected by winding paths. The
Iris Garden was designed by Emperor
Meiji
himself for Empress Shoken who loved
iris flowers. There are over 150
varieties
of iris here, and a total of 1500
plants.
Meiji
Shrine is one of the most popular
shrines in Tokyo. Even on a normal
weekend, it draws thousands of visitor,
both for spiritual purposes as well
as relaxation. At New Year' Eve
and New Year's Day, the shrine is
visited by over a million devotees
who come to offer prayers and pay
their respects.
Several
festivals are held at Meiji Shrine
during the year. The most popular
of these are:
1.
Autumn Grand Festival:
The Annual Autumn Grand Festival
takes place
on November 3 to commemorate Emperor
Meiji's birth date. Since 1946,
the
day
is also celebrated as Culture Day
as it was during Emperor Meiji's
time that
Japan began its modernization process.
On this day, more than a million
people
visit the shrine to pay respects
to the deities, and offer prayers
to thank the
spirits for their good lives and
freedom. Several activities are
organized for the
day, including dance, music, and
martial arts performances. Every
year on this
day, the Emperor sends an Imperial
Messenger to Meiji Shrine with his
offerings. Quite often, members
of the Imperial Family also visit
the Shrine to
express their reverence for the
enshrined deities.
2. Annual Spring
Festival: The Annual Spring
Festival is held during the
first week of May
to herald the coming of spring and
good fortune. People come
from all over
to pray at the Shrine. Cultural
shows are organized at the Shrine
grounds, including
traditional dance and music performances.
3. Hina Matsuri
(Doll Festival): Celebrated each
year on March 3, the Hina
Matsuri is
a doll festival for young girls.
On this day, families wish their
daughters a successful
and happy life. Dolls are ornately
decorated in
court dress and displayed
in houses. On Hina Matsuri parents
bring their
daughters to Meiji Shrine to
pray for happiness in their lives.
Decorated dolls
are put on display on the Shrine
grounds and an elaborate doll-floating
ceremony is held. Hina Matsuri
has its
origins in a Chinese custom when
bad
fortune is transferred into dolls
and then removed
by abandoning them in rivers.
Togo
Shrine
Five
minutes walk from Meiji Jingumae
Station is Togo Shrine, a shrine
dedicated to Admiral Togo Heihachiro.
Togo Heihachiro (1848-1934) was
an admiral in the Imperial Navy.
Also known as "Nelson of the
East", Togo Heihachiro is revered
as one of Japan's greatest naval
heroes and is celebrated as a Shinto
kami. A small museum and a bookshop
dedicated to Togo Heihachiro are
also located within the shrine grounds.
Surrounding the shrine is a beautiful
garden, which is a popular venue
for traditional Japanese weddings.
The
Togo Shrine Flea Market is held every Sunday in
the Shrine gardens. This market
is very popular in Tokyo, both as
a place to wander and enjoy, as
well as to hop and bargain. All
sorts of things are sold in the
many stalls of the market - from
antiques and kimonos, to record
players and wooden trunks.
Oriental
Bazaar
Oriental
Bazaar is Tokyo's best known and
largest souvenir and crafts emporium.
Located close to Meiji Jingumae
Station, the Oriental Bazaar is
also one of the most imaginatively
laid out stores. It spans four floors
and sells almost everything at reasonable
prices - from woodblock prints,
paper products, tableware, lamps,
and dolls, to antique furniture,
original kimonos and pearls. Oriental
Bazaar is very popular with tourists
looking for traditional Japanese
souvenirs.
