Toshogu Shrine

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Toshogu Shrine, aka Nikkō Tōshō-gū

This is the most important structure in Nikko. It contains the tomb of Ieyasu Tokugawa (of Richard Chamberlain fame) who died in 1616. He established the Shogunate which ended in 1868 with the Meiji Restoration (ie, return of power to emperor).

Toshogu Shrine Nikko. This is the shrine and mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu who lived during the 15th and 16th centuries and was the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan. His efforts to unify warring Japanese factions lead to a period of 250 years of peace. Nikko's Toshogu Shrine was built to honor the memory of Ieyasu Tokugawa, Japan's first Shogun. Tokugawa, born in 1542 during a period of great civil wars, succeeded in unifying Japan. He is honored for laying the foundation of peace and culture that would typify modern day Japan. We would learn later when we visited friends in Osaka that this shrine is a "must see" for the Japanese. In all there are 55 main structures on the grounds at Toshogu Shrine and it covers 80,000 sq. meters. The buildings are elaborately decorated and painted with intricate carvings common throughout. Many of structures have been designated as a Japanese National Treasure or Important Cultural Property. Toshogu was originally constructed in 1617, a year after Ieyasu Tokugawa died. The reason why Toshogu was erected in Nikko, was because directional relationship with Edo. Nikko is located in the north of Edo. Ieyasu defined Nikko as the center of Edo (or whole nation) by referring the relationship between the polestar and universe. His intention was to protect the whole nation by being the polestar of Edo. Although Toshogu was constructed in a small sized and simple shrine as Ieyasu's last will, the shrine was reconstructed and expanded to larger size and became more gorgeous in color in 1636.

Photo 42, 1987

Toshogu Shrine

Lanterns On Grounds of Toshogo Shrine

Photo 4, 1987

Toshogu Shrine

Photo 7, 1987

Toshogu Shrine

Photo 8, 1987

Toshogu Shrine

Photo 18, 1987

Toshogu Shrine

Photo 20, 1987

Toshogu Shrine

Path with torii

Photo 40, 1987

Toshogu Shrine

Five-storied pagoda before entrance to Toshogu Shrine

The original five-storey pagoda was donated by a daimyō in 1650, but it was burned down during a fire, and was rebuilt in 1818. Each storey represents an element–earth, water, fire, wind and aether (or void)–in ascending order. Inside the pagoda, a central shinbashira pillar hangs from chains to minimize damage from earthquakes.

Photo 41, 1987