Konno Hachimangu Shrine in the Shibuya District
Been close to home lately. Have another trip planned for Sapporo, on Hokkaido the end of the month. We are in the rainy season, ie. it rains almost everyday!! This wonderful rainy season lasts about six weeks and is followed by hot and humid days in July and August. Either weather scenario would cause even the bravest soul to remain indoors! We have ventured out some although Elder Brown has been busy on the phone with missionary health issues. We continue to serve in the temple twice a week and that has been a real joy!
We thought you might be interested in seeing some of the lovely Shinto Shrines that can be found in almost any neighborhood. It is so odd to see all manner of high rises and then all of a sudden come upon a small area with a temple and garden in the middle of multi-million dollar real estate!
Shinto priest inside the temple. The worshipper approaches, pulls the large cord to ring the bell twice, claps their hands twice, puts money in the collection box and asks Spirits, Gods, Ancestors or the elements, to grant them their desires.
The Shinto "religion" is thought to be indigenous to Japan and most Japanese claim to be Shinto. However their worship or contact with Spirits, ancestors, etc does not prevent them from embracing Buddhism, or Christianity for that matter. The religious practices are outlined but their moral code generally comes from Confucianism.
Shinto creation stories tell of the history and lives of the "Kami" (deities). Among them was a divine couple, Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami-no-mikoto, who gave birth to the Japanese islands. Their children became the deities of the various Japanese clans. Amaterasu Omikami (Sun Goddess) was one of their daughters. She is the ancestress of the Imperial Family and is regarded as the chief deity. Her shrine is at Ise. Her descendants unified the country. Her brother, Susano came down from heaven and roamed throughout the earth. He is famous for killing a great evil serpent.
Japan has some of the most interesting and compelling folk tales, many of which have evolved into holidays.
Elder Brown holding the pillars of heaven in place!
Many of the schools, estates, parks and other places have these large and imposing gates.
We also had the opportunity to go to the Yokohama Port Bazaar, which celebrated the opening of the seaport in Yokohama 150 years ago. From what we have seen, it is one of the busier ports in the world! There were over 200 vendors hawking their wares. Was fun to view everything from flowers to jewelry to some great delicacies shown below!
Mouth-watering treats at the bazaar...was hard to resist these chewy little squid!
Baby octopus on a stick...the Japanese equivalent to an all day sucker! We passed!
Irises lined the valley floor, fed by an artesian well
Lilacs and Iris are Grandma Joberg's favorites so this entry is for her! Sorry, no lilacs, but we did go to the Gardens at the Meiji Shrine and see the lovely irises.
Also stopped in at the Asakusa area temple as it is a lovely landmark. The over sized lanterns at the gate are quite impressive as is the very stately pagoda. While we were there a young woman approached and asked us about our mission. (Pays to wear the name badge everywhere we go!) Turns out she was on a trip with some friends from Boise State and had been raised in Moses Lake, Washington! Her name is Heather Larson and her dad is Don Larson, so the name might ring a bell with our friends from the great Northwest!
Towering Pagoda
Gates and very large lanterns
