1/05/2008

First Shrine Visit

  
  



初詣



50 ceramic lanterns and holy smoke


first shrine visit -
two beauties sourrounded
by their beaux







36 uppermost shrine complex


first shrine visit -
the smell of incense
in our hair






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Join me here on my visit with a slide show:
(Take your time to visit ...)

. . . . . First Shrine Visit 2008 / Photo Album


Fox Shrine Saijo Inari, about one hours drive from my home
It is a mix of Shinto worship and main temple of the Buddhst Nichiren Sect.


We visited on January 4, just right between the first three day crowds and the next sunday crowds. Even though, just to get a parking space took about 45 minutes waiting in line. And the special fee for the parking spot was just ... well ...

The blend of Buddhist and Shinto worship is remarkable here. Everyone takes incence and puts a stick in front of each of the many small memorial shrines. Some throw coins on the roofs of two smaller shrines and if the coin does not fall down, they will have good money luck in the coming year.


O-Negai Yokocho

All kinds of talismans and lucky charms for any kind of endeavor are sold here. During the new year celebrations, there is even a special shopping mall for this.

The big sacred rope of the shrine (shimenawa) is renewed every year. Look at it in the album.


The weather was warm to start with but turned rainy by the time we left ...
Yet, in the end at our local Hachiman Shrine I found a rather special present waiting for me, hanging in the bark of my favorite cedar tree ... look at the last photo in the album.


And the car smelled of incense all the way back home !



40 new year decoration



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Saijo Inari Shrine
is one of the three most famous Inari shrines in the country, and is a noted Buddhist shrine for prayer. The shrine is located in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, a city famous for its picturesque views of the Kibi Plains.

The shrine was built around 1200 years ago by Houon Daishi. The main building of the shrine suffered losses from fire when Toyotomi Hideyoshi attacked the Bichuu Takamatsu Castle during the Warring States period. Yet, since the patron deity of the shrine was hidden under the building in a secret compartment 8 tatamis large, and covered by rock slabs, it was kept safe from harm.

Since that time, the patron deity became famous across the country for its miraculous efficacy, drawing the faith of the masses. The deity is famous for answering prayers for success in business, traffic safety, and for increased scholastic ability. Every March during the "First Day of the Horse" Hatsu-uma Festival, the shrine overflows with people who have come to pray for luck and good health.
 © nippon-kichi.jp







Japanese (written on the many red prayer flags):

最上位経王大菩薩

Saijoo Ikyoo-Oo Daibosatsu
(さいじょういきょうおうだいぼさつ)





. 最上稲荷 . Japanese Home Page of the Shrine





Thanks Gabi san!



Thank you, Angelee from India.




Read my Haiku Archives


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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nichiren and Dragon Legends

More about this famous priest.

Unknown said...

何よりも
無事を願いて
初詣

naniyori mo
buji wo negaite
hatsu-moude

sakuo

Anonymous said...

nice photos!

thank you, Gabi!
a Happy New Year !

best wishes from Germany

Gabi Greve said...

Some friends commented:

Gabi
I like the ku and also the picture
I can almost smell the aromatic smoke and loved your 92 pictures from your visit to the shrine
thank you for sharing this part of your life and have a happy and healthy new year.
M.

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This is super! love that light touch of humour among the seriousness of the place.
I also clicked in and enjoyed my visit to the shrines on your trip.
D.

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Enjoyed this Gabi. And thank you for such a beautiful tour of the shrine. It's so amazing that the world is at our fingertips.
M.

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I love the haiga, Gabi. The haiku fits your photo so perfectly. Happy New Year to you. I also enjoyed the slide show. The detail in the shots really gives us a chance to see clearly how things looked. Such beauty!
P.

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Lovely, Gabi...
I especially enjoy the angle of the lighting --
it adds so much atmosphere!
L.

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Interesting photo and haiga, Gabi. It looks like early-morning mist, but could there be smoke from burning incense as well, I wonder? It looks so soft and ephemeral.
S.

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Hello, Gabi san, I loved the beauties and the photo; and that link is a feast for the eyes and soul, thanks for posting it!
M.

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Love your humour here Gabi. Thanks for sharing.
A.

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Hi Gabi
'Incense in our hair' is a really nice haiku. The photos are wonderfully atmospheric, with the slanting winter sunlight and the smoky/hazy air.
N.

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Lovely, Gabi, and I join L. and N. in their enthusiasm for "incense in our hair."
B.

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Hello, Gabi san, I liked it too, and I think the photo with its perspective is great.
M.

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lovely poetry ...
E.

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Hi Gabi,
I love the 'incense in our hair' version. It matches the slightly hazy photo well and brings out the contrast between heat and cold, realism and other-worldly feeling on that cold morning. I agree with L. comment above that paired with the photo, it would be a great haiga. Why don't you submit it somewhere (a haiku journal) soon while the New Year's feeling is still in the air.
L.

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Thanks to all my friends from AHA!
GABI

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Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos!!

Thanks.

purifying smoke --
the water ladle overfills
in the Fifth Season


ciao... chibi

facebook said...

excellent

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