Page 32 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Tokyo

30 ❯❯ Top 10 Tokyo Highlights

Meiji Shrine

Dedicated to the memory of Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) and
his wife, Empress Shoken, Meiji Shrine is a fine example of
restrained Shinto architecture. Completed in 1921, the shrine
was destroyed in an air raid in 1945. The current reconstruction is
indis tinguishable from the original. The gravel paths and courtyards
of the grounds host cultural events, ranging from Noh and Kyogen
drama, court dances, and music performances to horseback
archery, winter ice sculptures, and calligraphy shows.
Main Shrine 3
This elegant and
classic Shinto-
style shrine (right) can
be entered through one
of three decorated,
wooden gates.
Imperial
4
Treasure
House
This collection of personal
Torii
1 artifacts belongs to the
The 39-ft (12-m)
Meiji royalty. A painting
main gate (above) is by the Italian artist
Japan’s largest torii. Ugolini depicts the
It was constructed from emperor in European
1,500-year-old Japanese military dress, with a
hinoki cypress trees vase standing on a table
transported from Alishan at his side. The same
mountain in Taiwan. vase stands next to the
painting in the museum.
Ichi no Torii
2 EMPEROR MEIJI
Meaning “first gate,” this torii is positioned
In 1867, two British
at the main entrance to Meiji Shrine. Torii symbolize emissaries, Sir Harry
the perch where a mytholo gical cock sat before it Parkes and Algernon
anno unced the dawn that lured the sun goddess Mitford, were granted
Amaterasu from her cave. The 16-petal an audience with the
chrysan themum medallions at the top of the 15-year-old emperor in
gate are a symbol of the imperial family. his palace in Kyoto. What
they found was a vision
of medieval sovereignty:
NEED TO KNOW Imperial Treasure House: a boy dressed in white
MAP B5 • 1-1 Sat–Sun, public holidays brocade and silk trousers,
Kamizonocho, Yoyogi, and festival days; Adm his teeth lacquered
Shibuya-ku • 3379-5511 • Comfortable shoes are black, eyebrows shaved,
• www.meijijingu.or.jp/ recommended for the and cheeks painted red.
english • Harajuku, shrine, with a 10-minute Less than a year later,
Harajuku JR Yamanote walk along a gravel path. he would proclaim
the Meiji era and by the
Line; Meiji-Jingumae, • The boundary of end of his reign, Japan
Chiyoda Line
adjacent Yoyogi Park was an industrialized
Main Shrine: dawn to dusk (see p49) has stalls selling nation, strong enough
Iris Garden: 9am–4pm snacks, light meals, and to have defeated
(to 4:30pm Mar–Oct); Adm other refreshments. Russia in 1904–5.

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