Page 105 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

NIKK O  103

Tokugawa Ieyasu VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Ieyasu (1543–1616) was a wily Practical Information
strategist and master politician Tel (0288) 54-0560. & Open
who founded the dynasty that 8am– 5pm daily (4pm Nov–Mar).
would rule Japan for more than Tosho-gu is undergoing major
250 years. Born the son of a minor renova tion work until 2024.
lord, he spent his life accumulating Work on the Yomeimon Gate
power, not becoming shogun will last until 2019. It is currently
until 1603, when he was 60. completely covered by scaffolding
Ieyasu built his capital at the but is still worth a visit.
swampy village of Edo (now
Tokyo), and his rule saw the
start of the blooming of Edo Ieyasu’s treasure tower,
culture. He ensured that after containing his ashes
his death, he would be enshrined
as a god and gongen (incarnation of the Buddha). His
posthumous name was Tosho-Daigongen (“the great
incarnation illuminating the East”).

To Ieyasu’s tomb and
treasure tower

. Pagoda
Donated by a daimyo (feudal
lord) in 1650, this five-story
pagoda was rebuilt in 1818
after a fire. Each story represents
an element – earth, water,
fire, wind, and heaven – in
ascending order.

Entrance

. Sacred Stable
A carving of the three wise monkeys
decorates this unpainted wooden
building. A horse given by the New
Zealand government is stabled here
for several hours a day.

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