Page 106 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

104  BEY OND T OK Y O

Nikko: Taiyuin-Byo Shrine

Completed in 1653, Taiyuin-byo Shrine is the
mauso leum of Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604–51),
the grandson of Ieyasu (see p103) and powerful
third shogun, who closed Japan to foreign
com merce and isolated it from the world for
over 200 years. Tayuin is his posthumous
Buddhist name. If Tosho-gu is splendid, Taiyuin-
byo is sublime. Set in a grove of Japanese cedars,
it has a number of ornate gates ascending to
the Haiden (sanctuary) and Honden (inner
sanctuary). The shogun’s ashes are entombed
beyond the sixth and final gate.

Kokamon Gate
This striking Ming-
dynasty Chinese-style
massive gate is beside
the picturesque path
to Iemitsu’s tomb.

. Haiden
Decorated with lovely
carvings of dragons, the
Haiden (Hall of Worship)
also has some famous
17th-century lion paint ings
by Kano School painters.

Niomon Gate
This marks the main
entrance to the shrine.
A single Nio warrior
god stands guard on
each side.

KEY
1 The drum tower leads to Honji- 4 The Honden (usually closed
do hall, with a painting of a dragon to the public) holds a gilded
on its huge ceiling. Buddhist altar with a wooden
statue of Iemitsu.
2 The Karamon gate is adorned
with delicate carvings, such as a pair 5 Stone lanterns were donated
of cranes. over the years by daimyo (feudal
3 The Ai No Ma is a richly lords).
decorated connecting chamber. Entrance

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