ISE SHRINE

Ise shrine

Ise shrine

Introduction

The purpose of this research paper is to see the history of the past form of Ise shrine.

History

Ise Grand Shrine, with a history of 2000 years is Japan's most essential Shinto shrine and is considered as the centre of all shrines all over the country. It is situated near the banks of the Isuzu River, and is encircled by 800-year-old Ise Grand Shrine cedar (Aston, 2006). The Inner Shrine (founded 4 BC) is devoted to the sun goddess Amaterasu. The Outer Shrine (5th century) is devoted to Toyuke Okami, who is the god of food, clothing, and housing. In these shrines the major building is a thatched hut which is built according to the ancient Japanese style of unpainted Japanese cypress (hinoki) (Aston, 2006). A unique aspect of Shinto architecture is the chigi, which is a scissor-shaped finial located at the front and back of the roof. The buildings have been reconstructed every 20 or 21 years since the 17th century.

Based on the sayings of official chronology, the shrines were initially built in the year 4 BC, but some of the historians say that they exist since several hundred years later, with 690 AD which is considered as the date when the shrines were initially built in their current form. They are stated in the records of the Kojiki and Nihonshoki(Aston, 2006). The old shrines are taking to pieces and new ones are constructed to demanding condition every 20 years at overpriced expense. The buildings which are present, dating from 1993, are planned for reconstruction in 2013.

Infrastructure

The grand Shinto shrine at Ise was constructed in the middle of a crowded forest of huge cryptomeria trees which are just next to the Isuzu River at the foot of Mount Kamiji Japan. The shrine is comprised of two groups of ...