Page 272 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

270  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

Nikko: Tosho-gu Shrine
Tokugawa Iemitsu set out to dazzle with this mausoleum-shrine for his grandfather
Ieyasu. For two years some 15,000 artisans from all over Japan worked, building, carving,
gilting, painting, and lacquering, to create this flowery, gorgeous Momoyama-style
complex. Almost anything that can be decorated is. Although designated a shrine in the
Meiji period, it retains many of its Buddhist elements, including its unusual pagoda, sutra
library, and Niomon gate. The famed sugi-namiki
(Japanese cedar avenue) leading to the shrine To Ieyasu’s
was planted by a 17th- century lord, in lieu of Tomb and
a more opulent offering. The shrine Treasure Tower
is undergoing major renovation
work, which is scheduled to be
completed in 2024, though
most of it is still open to visitors.

Sleeping Cat Carving
Over an entrance in the east corridor,
this tiny, exquisite carving of a
sleeping cat is attributed to Hidari
Jingoro (Left-handed Jingoro).

KEY
1 The Rinzo contains a sutra
library of Buddhist scriptures in
a revolving structure.
2 Drum tower
3 The Honji-do’s ceiling is
painted with the “crying dragon,”
which echoes resoundingly if you
clap your hands beneath it.
4 The Karamon gate is the
smallest at Tosho-gu.
5 Haiden (sanctuary)
6 Honden (inner sanctuary)
7 Bell tower
8 The three sacred store-
houses are built according
to a traditional design. They
are closed for renovation
until 2019. . Yomeimon Gate
9 The Niomon (or Omotemon) Lavishly decorated with
gate is guarded by two fear some beasts and flowers, this
Nio figures, one with an open gate has one of its 12
mouth to pronounce the first columns carved upside-
letter of the Sanskrit alphabet down, a deliberate imper-
(ah), the other with a closed fection to avoid angering
mouth for the last letter (un). jealous spirits. Statues of
imperial ministers occupy Sacred Fountain The granite
0 Ticket office the niches. Renovation basin (1618), for ritual purification,
q Granite Torri (gate) work at the gate will is covered with an ornate Chinese-
continue until 2019. style roof.
For hotels and restaurants see p307 and pp337–8

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