The Official Worship in the Sacred House !

by Kazu

The second gate of Yasukuni Shrine seemed to be smaller than the first one. I was wondering if the souls of the imperial soldiers who passed away in World War Ⅱ and other military operation, could come back to this shrine from overseas.

Needless to say, the citizens of Hokkaido in that era had to go to the battle field overseas to protect Japanese people and land from the greedy people. For the Imperial soldiers, the words of " Meet again in Yasukuni!" must have been encouraging and playing a roll to reduce the threat to die. 

The words was  as if anesthetics for the soldiers to fight against the huge enemies. Many people including the descendant of the deceased donate to keep this shrine well-maintained and the place of the peace for the souls of the imperial soldiers. 

 

For the deceased from Hokkaido and other area!

by Kazu

I've never expected Mr. Masujiro Ohmura who proposed the establishment of the “Shokonsha,” the predecessor of Yasukuni Shrine, in order to console the souls of those who died in the Boshin War.

Those who died in the Boshin War did not perish for their respective domains or feudal lords, as had been the case before, but for a new nation that was in the process of being born. For this emerging nation to be regarded as a public entity, it was necessary to define the war dead of the Boshin War as having made a “public sacrifice.” The creation of Shokonsha, the forerunner of Yasukuni Shrine, arose from this context. In that sense, Shokonsha can be seen as a starting point of Japan as a modern state.

As mentioned at the beginning, Omura Masujiro was originally a “village doctor,” in other words, a farmer by birth. As noted above, Shokonsha represented not only a rejection of the feudal domain system but also the starting point of Japan’s transformation into a modern nation-state. It may well be that such a vision could be realized precisely because Omura, unlike the samurai, came from a farming background.

 

Yasukuni Shrine and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

We visited "Yasukuni Shrine" for the first time in our lives to conduct an official worship in the main sacred house of the shrine. The deceased in the wars including World War Ⅱ are worshiped in the shrine.

Many cherry trees on the premises of the shrine were flourished and wearing pink blossoms on their branches.Against the backdrop of the pale blue sky, pink cherry blossoms were shining with the sunlight in the morning.

I had not avoided to visit there but as a result, it was my first visit in my 59 years.the gate was huge. Most of the deceased in the wars said "Meet again at Yasukuni !" It might reduced the threat of the imperial soldiers in the wars. What a cruel, kind and fascinating words they were, in that era.                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Difference of jogging in Tokyo and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

I found the Sword Museum near Ryogoku Bridge in Tokyo. Even in Hokkaido, many swords are displayed in the museum but I saw the museum only for Japanese traditional swords for the first time. 

Of course, it was closed early in the morning but I would visit there again when it is in service. The wind blowing over the river was so comfortable and inspiring. I would like to stay there for a week every year to explore and stroll around the river. 

As it must be so hot and humid in Tokyo during summer, I prefer the season from end of autumn through spring. Some cruising boats called "Yakatabune" were having a rest in the small creek. My wife booked the seats in the cruise boat the next day.   

 

Sumida River and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

Every time I visit Tokyo for pleasure and business, I make a point of jogging along Sumida River or others.The magic hour started with the beautiful twilight and the sound of the river flow.   

The pale blue and pink color of the sky early in the morning seemed to be giving the citizens kind of inspiration and energy. The sky Tree Tower could be seen from  the bridge where many automobiles were passing by. 

A boat race team was in the training beside the cruising boat. Reflecting the sunlight from the east, the walls of the buildings beside the river colored pink or orange. I love to strolling around along the river in this season, not in summer. That eased the pain of our lives. 

 

Sensoh-ji Temple Gate Keepers !

by Kazu

Temple Sensou-ji is very popular place to visit even for the citizens of Hokkaido. The huge Nioh Guardian Figures in the gatekeepers' house seemed to be alluring many tourists taking memorial photos n front of the gate.  

As you may know, one of  the Nioh Guardian Figures opens its mouth and the other closes it. So many tourists from overseas were strolling around in the premises of the temple. The vendors beside the approach road to the temple were closed in the evening but the bright red and white colors on the wall were so beautiful. 

It may require hectic amount of money to maintain and refurbish the building but as Sensou-ji is so popular to donate, ample treatment can be available for the temple, I think.                                                                                                               
 

Sensoh-ji Temple and Hokkaido !

by Kazu

Senso Temple was also lit up in the darkness. The contrast of red, white and the dakrness of the sky was so striking even for us on that day. The vendors along "the Nakamise Street" were closed in the evening but some cherry trees were also lit up and the blossoms were blooming. 

The five-story tower on the premises of the temple was also lit up subtly. They all seemed to have been refurbished. An amazing play land "Hana Yashiki"is next to this temple.  

The cherry blossoms were full-flourished on the premises of Senso-ji Temple. The colors of deep and pale pink cherry blossoms were vividly glazing against the backdrop of the dark sky reflecting the town light in Tokyo.