Well Japan has facinated me so much that even today after 9 months I just cannot stop thinking about it. Almost every 2nd day I sit with the photographs ?Oh they are so lovely!!!?.And that is one of the reason that after writing about Hiroshima my first review on MS and Shinkansen I m here today to share somemore lovely experiences about Japan ? The Beauty of Wonderful Island MIYAJIMA.
This was not at all on our itenary. But it so happened that after landing at Narita Airport we were looking out for Youth Hostels as Hotels were very expensive. Each one of us had YHA - Youth hostel life time membership card. So it was easier for us to locate. After an hour or so we located a youth hostel in Miyajima. This place was far off from the airport.
We had to first take a train to Hiroshima and then to Miyajima- Guchi station. The train ride was just superb. We were not at all tired even after 2 hours of traveling. After reaching the hostel the owner then told us about this place. We took a ferry next day early morning at 6:00am and landed on this wonderful island.
HISTORY
Since ancient times, Miyajima has been regarded as one of the ’’Three Most Beautiful Spots’’ of Japan, and as a part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park, it has received several distinctions, such as a place of extraordinary scenic beauty, exceptional history, a scenic zone, and a natural monument. The virgin forests neighboring Mt. Misen are representative of the lush greenery and abundance of nature which still covers the entire island even now. Take a stroll in town, and the sights of the souvenir shops, and ryokan (Japanese-style inns) will really fascinate you
Since ancient times, Miyajima has been revered and worshipped. The virgin forests of Miyajima is one of the best preserved among the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
The World Heritage Value of Itsukushima Shintou Shrine:
Itsukushima Shrine was built by Taira no Kiyomori, a powerful figure in 12th century Japan.
His original construction laid the groundwork for the magnificent collection of shrine buildings we see today in Japan. The outstanding architectural arrangement of these buildings incorporates the shinden-zukuri style of the Heian period, but its placement on the water, beautifully framed by the mountain in the background, is testimony to Kiyomori’s extraordinary vision and achievement.
Itsukushima Shrine stands among the most noteworthy accomplishments of the Heian period. The shrine halls at Itsukushima represent a style employed to enshrine and pay homage to gods abiding in mountains and other natural formations. Itsukushima Shrine is a valuable aid to understanding Japanese spiritual culture
FIVE STORIED PAGODA
The cypress bark-roofed five-storied pagoda, approximately 28 meters high, shows a splendid structural beauty that skillfully combines Japanese and Chinese styles.
On the interior of the pagoda, which was designed entirely in Chinese style, there are auspicious patterns such as a dragon, grape vine arabesque, colored clouds, birds of paradise, and a phoenix, painted in full color and are well preserved.
The pillars are painted with red lacquer, and decorated with gold at the top. On the walls, Buddha and other sacred images are painted. As one of the structural features, the central pillar of the pagoda, which usually is suspended from the top and extends down to the base in most five-storied pagodas, reaches down only to the second story. Other than the upper and the lower supporting points, nothing is attached to the central pillar, so you can move the central pillar by pushing it at the third or fourth floor of the pagoda. This is one of the reasons why the pagoda is highly resistant against strong winds.
DAIGANJI TEMPLE
Also known as Kikyozan Hokoin, until the Meiji Restoration , this temple was in charge of the repair and construction of Itsukushima Shrine. The founder of this temple is not known though, Priest Ryokai and Priest Enkai are known to have contributed to prosperity of the temple. Daiganji Temple is dedicated to Benzaiten, the Goddess of eloquence, music, wisdom and wealth, and is known as one of the three most famous Benzaiten Temples
DAISHOIN TEMPLE
As the headquarters of the Mimuro Branch of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, Rozan Suishoji Daishoin, Daishoin Temple is the most distinguished temple of Miyajima, having taken charge of all rituals as Betto (administrator) of Itsukushima Shrine.
Kobo Daishi is said to have performed tantric rituals of Esoteric Buddhism on Mt. Misen for 100 days in Autumn of 806 (Daisho 1), and those historic spots are also under the administration of Daishoin.
In 1888, this temple was totally destroyed by fire except for Daishido Hall.
MOMIJIDANI PARK
Momijidani Park is a quiet park located at the foot of Misen Primeval Forest, which is designated as natural monument. Particularly in autumn, the park presents a splendid view with its wide variety of scarlet tinged maple leaves (momiji). A ropeway connects this park with Shishi-iwa (Lion Rock), near the summit of Mt. Misen
MT MISEN
The highest mountain on Miyajima, Mt. Misen has long been considered sacred, and an object of worship since ancient times. Near the summit, Gumonji Hall (Misen Main Hall), relating to Kobo Daishi, a great Buddhist priest, and many other Buddhist temples are located among huge rocks covered with lichen. The view of the Inland Sea from the summit is spectacular
MISEN HONDO
Located just below the summit of Mt. Misen is Misen Hondo (Hall). The central image enshrined within the hall is Kokuzo Bosatsu (Buddhist deity of limitless luck and wisdom), and other images are Fudo Myo-o, Aizen Myo-o, and Kobo Daishi. This temple, along with Awa-no-Dairyugoku (in Tokushima Prefecture) and Tosa-no-Murotazaki (in Kochi Prefecture), are said to be the three training places for tantric retuals of Shingon Buddhist followers
THE SEVEN WONDERS OF MT MISEN
Kiezu-no-hi : Sacred fire that has been continuously burning for over 1, 170 years.
Shakujo-no-ume: Kobo Daishi is said to have left behind his priest’s staff standing imbedded in the ground, and the staff is said to have sprouted roots and turned into a plum tree. In the spring, double-petaled red flowers bloom. If there is no bloom, it indicates a bad omen.
Mandala Rock: A huge rock of tens of square meters on which Buddhist sutras in Sanskrit and Chinese characters were engraved by Kobo Daishi.
Kanman-iwa: A mysterious rock with a hole, which is filled with salty water when the ocean is at high tide, and dried at low tide.
Shigure-zakura: A cherry tree under which the ground is wet like after a shower even when the weather is fine.
Ryuto-no-sugi: In the night of early January according to the Lunar calendar, many lights appears on the sea (Ryuto). Ryuto-no-sugi is a cedar tree on the summit of Mt. Misen from where these lights are best seen.
Clapping wood sound: At midnight, the sound of wooden clappers is heard from somewhere in the mountain. It is said that Tengu, a long-nosed goblin, is clapping them.
Well friends that all about Miyajima. I am planning to write my next review on the beautiful shrines in Japan. Till then.
Take care
Regards
Anu