SeoulScribing: The Meiji Shrine

Shrine Entrance (Torri gate)

One of the cultural things we wanted to do whilst in Tokyo was see one of its traditional shrines. We visit the Meiji Shrine, which is a Shinto shrine. If you'd like to know more about what Shintoism is, click here, because I have read about it and can't figure out exactly what type of religion it is...or if it is even a religion at all and is actually rather a philosophy. It seems that it focuses on folklore, history, and mythology--and if you are a Shintoist you take part in a set of practices; which is a way to connect present day Japanese people with their ancestors. Still, the vast majority of Shintoists also take part in worshiping Buddha.

Another Torri Gate

While that's all good and interesting, I am just sure you have all day to read about Shintoism. I digress yet again. We enter the first Torri Gate (see above) and walk on a path through a gorgeous forest until we come to the shrine. The first thing Shintoists are supposed to do before entering the shrine walls is to wash their hands and drink water from this basin. They are actually supposed to follow a specific procedure by ladling water into their left hand, washing it first, then their right hand, and then drinking water from their right hand to be purified before entering the shrine. Although I am not a Shintoist I think, well it's only natural that I take part in this ritual. Done--Don't I feel fresh!

Purifying Ritual

After going into the shrine and watching some of the practicers do their praying by bowing a couple of times and then clapping twice, we walk out and see a bunch of hanging prayers around a tree.

Prayers

The prayers include an eclectic array of languages including English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and many others. You can write your prayer/wish/meditation/philosophy on a wooden block and then hang it on the post outside of the shrine. I like this very much so I, once again, participated.