Futara-san Jinja #1
Cedar Trees


Futara-san Jinja in Nikko is dedicated to the mountains Nantai (male), Nyotai (female) and their "child mountain" Taro. The shrine that is is an ancient center of worship was founded in 782.



Sake Barrels
Tori with Shimenawa and Gohei


Tori (gate) together with shimenawa (rope) and yuniwa (white gravel) mark the sacred ground of a shrine precinct. Gohei (zigzags of paper) are often added to shimenawa with purpose of attracting kami (Shinto deities). Most Japanese who are ritually polluted (blood and death are especially polluting) will not cross these boundaries.




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© 2001 Maciej Swulinski.