 |
| Photo property of NewinNippon |
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū), located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. When Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and Empress Shōken in 1914, the Japanese people wished to pay their respects to the two influential Japanese figures. It was for this reason that Meiji Shrine was constructed and their souls enshrined on November 1, 1920.
The original building was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in October, 1958.
Meiji Shrine was brought into the flow of current events with the 2009 visit of United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After arriving in Tokyo on her first foreign trip representing the newly elected President Barack Obama, she made her way to this shrine in advance of meetings with Japan's leaders to show her "respect toward history and the culture of Japan."
(Source: Wikipedia)
 |
| Photo property of NewinNippon |
Meiji shrine is a popular destination for weddings. While we were there I observed three weddings and several other couples posing for photographs. Just like in the United States, April is a popular month for weddings.
 |
| Photo property of NewinNippon |
In the gardens surrounding the shrine, there is a beautifully maintained traditional tea house. If you are interested in participating in a tea ceremony, this is a wonderful place to learn more about the tea ceremony and the meaning of the ritual.
Posting Komentar