Page 276 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

274  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

Nikko: Taiyuin-byo Shrine

Finished in 1653, Taiyuin-byo is the mauso leum of Tokugawa Iemitsu
(1604–51), the grandson of Ieyasu 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 unusual Ming-
dynasty Chinese-
style gate is beside
the path to
Iemitsu’s tomb.

. Haiden
Decorated with carvings of
dragons, the Haiden also has
some famous 17th-century
lion paint ings by Kano School
painters. Its exterior is decorated
with black and gold lacquer.

Yashamon Gate
The third gate is beautifully gilded and
contains four statues of Yasha, a fierce
guardian spirit. It is also known as
Botanmon, or peony gate, after its
detailed peony carvings.

Niomon Gate
This marks the
main entrance to
the shrine. One
Nio warrior god
stands guard on
each side. Entrance
For hotels and restaurants see p307 and pp337–8

274-275_EW_Japan.indd 274 08/08/16 3:08 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm