Page 302 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

The Honden holds a gilded
9 " Buddhist altar with a
TAIYUIN-BYO wooden statue of Iemitsu.

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If Tosho-gu is splendid, Taiyuin-byo is sublime. It was built
modestly so that it would not eclipse Tosho-gu, a sign of
deep respect to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Despite this restraint, it is
still an ornate tomb reflecting the power of the imperial family.
Finished in 1653, Taiyuin-byo is the mausoleum
of Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604–51), the powerful
dragons, the Haiden also
third shogun and grandson of Ieyasu, who Decorated with carvings of
has some famous 17th-
closed Japan to foreign commerce and isolated century lion paintings.
it from the world for over 200 years. Tayuin is
his posthumous Buddhist name. As with
Tosho-gu, Taiyuin-byo has retained many of
its Buddhist elements, despite being reconse-
crated as a Shinto shrine in the Meiji period. Did You Know?
Set in a grove of Japanese cedars, it has a
number of ornate gates ascending to the To stop him seizing
Haiden (sanctuary) and Honden (inner power, Iemitsu forced
sanctuary). You can admire the grand interior his brother Tadanaga
of the Haiden, which has coffered ceilings and to commit seppuku.
carvings, but the Honden is usually closed to
the public. The shogun’s ashes are entombed
beyond the sixth and final gate.

2

1
1 The drum and bell towers are no longer
used, but the drum signifies positivity/birth,
while the bell denotes negativity/death.
2 As well as being inlaid with peonies, the
Yashamon Gate is also ornamented with four
statues of Yasha, a fierce guardian spirit.
Entrance
3 Marking the main entrance to the shrine,
a powerful red-faced Nio warrior god stands
guard on either side of the Niomon Gate,
frightening away evil spirits. 3
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