|
Meiji is a major Shinto shrine and a nature reserve park
dedicated to the deified spirits of the Emperor Meiji (1868-1912),
one of Japan's most highly regarded and best-loved emperors,
and his consort, Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji was the 122nd
emperor of Japan; he ascended to the throne in 1868 at the
age of 14 and ruled the country nearly for half a century.
During his reign Japan advanced from a feudal backward country
to the position of a powerful imperialistic state. Emperor
devoted all his life to the improving of the well-being and
the peace of the nation. Due to this, he won the respect and
love of the Japanese. Even nowadays, almost hundred years
after his death, he remains one of the highly esteemed emperors
in Japan. Although the body of the emperor was buried in Kyoto,
the Japanese believe that his soul dwells in Meiji.
The shrine was constructed in 1920 by over 100,000 volunteers,
who thus expressed their gratefulness and love to the emperor.
The shrine was ruined completely during the air raids in 1945
and in 1958 it was carefully rebuilt at the image of the original.
To enter the shrine you have to pass two huge wooden gates
- torii, to purify your mind and heart. Torii is a traditional
architectural construction, which can be found only in Japan.
Its origin can be traced in Shinto mythology. Torii symbolizes
the perch that was constructed by gods to lure Amaterasu,
the goddess of sun, from the cave. A lot of birds gathered
on the perch and woke the goddess with loud songs. The Meiji
Torii were built of Taiwanese cypresses that are more than
1,700 years old. The shrine is an outstanding example of the
dignified and refined Shinto architecture that is characterized
by muted colors and strict lines.
Different religious ceremonies and traditional weddings are
regularly held in the shrine. But the most impressive sight
is New Year Eve, when about two million people come to the
shrine to pray for the well-being and happiness.
In the shrine yard a sacred tree grows. The fence around it
is covered with the great number of wooden tablets. You can
buy such a table and write any of your wishes on it. The priests
of Meiji shrine will daily pray for your wish come true and
maybe gods will favor to you.
Shinto shrine is surrounded by an evergreen park that stretches
for 700,000 square meters. There are more than 120,000 trees
of 365 species. All of them were presented by Japanese in
memory of a great emperor. Annually on the Emperor's birthday,
on November 3, traditional festival is held in the park. The
Meiji Park can be divided into two: the Outer Garden contains
the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery and several sport facilities,
including the National Stadium and Jingu Baseball Stadium,
and the Inner Garden, where the emperor's shrine, the empress'
iris gardens and the Imperial couple's Treasure House are
located.
The iris garden, occupying the territory of 1,600 square meters,
presents an enchanting sight from the beginning of June up
to the middle of July. At this time, hundreds of sorts of
irises flourish turning the park into multicolored palette.
The emperor himself planted 80 species of irises for his beloved
wife in 1897. The purest spring wells out among the irises,
watering the flowers.
|
|
