BUDDHIST TEMPLES, SHINTO SHRINES, and CEMETERIES

Tatchibana Shrine

Temples and Shrines are found everywhere in Japan. Found along major routes and in tiny out-of-the-way neighborhood nooks. Temples are associated with Buddhist teachings and Shrines are associated with the Shinto belief. Most are quite old compared to American standards.

The best I can figure, is that most Japanese are not “religious” as Americans think of it. It seems to be more a belief in a way of life as opposed to worshiping a specific deity as your savior. 

Tatchibana ShrineTorii Gate

Kamakura Torii Gate

A torii gate is commonly found at the entrances to a Shinto shrine. The torii gate is a transition place between our world and the spiritual world. I’ve seen them in many sizes but generally they are rather large. Constructed of two large posts (material varies, wood, stone, cement, etc.) with two large cross beams, and typically painted a dark reddish hue.

Most of the temples and shrines I’ve visited are free to enter but any of the larger, historic ones charge a fee (gotta keep the grounds maintained to encourage more visitors). They vary in size from a small cabin sized structure on small lot that could be measured in yards, to theme park sized, measured in acres, with numerous structures, both enormous and small. Most, even the smallest, are well maintained, neat and orderly.

During the year, there are different celebrations going on that attract big crowds but most of the time, the smaller shrines, won’t have more than a few visitors at a time. Often as not I find myself alone when I discover one of these, park like, grounds.

Cemeteries - Anywhere there are people you are going to find cemeteries and like other places, you will find huge cemeteries and very tiny sites. Unlike the states, it is very common to come across very, very old sites that appear to be quite ancient.  Many cemeteries are located on steep hillsides. I am guessing that because land is at a premium, it is cheaper to select the harder to build on sites.

Buddhist Cemetery N 35 26.645 E 139 35.888

N 35 26.621 E 139 35.898

JIZO STATUES

 Jizo statues can be found throughout Japan in temples, cemeteries, and even gardens. Jizo is a Buddhist deity that protects children, travelers, and those beings trapped in hell. Jizo, or more respectfully, “O-Jizo-sama”, is widely recognized as the saver of dead children, especially those that were still-born and aborted (those that were not able to accumulate good karma brownie points). Jizo statues are often found with a red cloak and head cover, that was placed there by grieving parents to thank him for saving their child from an illness or to protect their child in the after-life.