Meiji Shrine

Japan isn’t always all about the shopping, fashion, and food.  There is a rich history to be told which is preserved in the structures erected years ago.  The Meiji Shrine was built in honor of Emperor Meiji and his wife after their passing in 1912 and 1914 respectively.  Pictured above is a torii (gate) that is usually seen before entering a Shinto shrine.  It marks the divide between the common and the sacred world.

Before entering the main part of the shrine, you need to “cleanse” yourself with water.  I read about this ritual before but still didn’t know how to properly conduct it.  I saw everyone had their own variations, so I just mimicked the general gestures.  Feeling like an idiot afterwards, I decided to research the correct way.  You’re supposed to take one of the ladles and rinse each hand with the water.  Then cup one hand, and pour some water into it with the ladle.  Use the water to rinse the inside of your mouth and spit it out.  Don’t drink from the ladle or swallow the water.

Right outside the main entrance.

Through the entrance is a section for placing ema, small wooden plates where your prayers and wishes are written on for the kami (spirits) to answer.

If you hope to leave your wishes it will cost 500 yen for a wooden plate.

Or write your wishes down on paper and place them in an envelope along with a small donation. The envelopes are then placed into a box located on a table nearby.

My wishes ready to be submitted to the spirits.

This is the honden (main building) where the spirits are enshrined.  It is the most sacred part of the shirne and is blocked off to the public.  What you do here is make another offering to the spirits. Throw a coin into the box, bow twice, clap twice, bow once more, and pray.

Such attention to detail.

One last shot before leaving.