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Toshogun shrine - Nikko

31/12/2007

Nikko toshogu shrine is situated in Nikko city of Tochigi prefecture. This is more famous as the Nikko. NIkko is very famous for it s great architecture.The shrine of Nikko toshogu was built in 766. Tokugawa Iyeyasu and his grand son s remains are entombed here. This shrine is listed as one of the Unesco world heritages.
I had the chance to visit the Toshogu shrine on the 31st of December, 2007. I was out in Nikko with my  host family to enjoy a day out on the new year s eve.

 
14.1 The five floored pagoda at the Toshogu
This five floored pagoda represents the earth, water , fire, wind and heaven with each floor ascendingly.  To protect it from earthquakes it is said that a big central pillar is hanged  with chains from the top inside the pagoda.

 14.2 Old buildings with attractive carvings

  
14.3  The tomb of the Tokugawa Iyeyasu and his grand son

 
14.4 The very famous carving of  "Hear no evil, Say no evil, See no evil "

 
 14.5 The famous carving of the sleeping cat
The above carving of the "inemuri neko" or the sleeping cat is a very famous carving of the carpenter and the sculptor Hidari Jingoro. Jingoro is beleived to be a left hander and is very famous for his carvings and art through out  Japan. It iss also beleived that this cat is a symbol of peace.

  
14.6  Beautiful carvings at the entrance
This photo was taken at the second gate of the Toshogu shrine which is called the " karamon". This gate is decorated with white carvings and ornaments which is different from the"Yomeimon" -the main gate - which is very colourful with its gold coloured carvings.

 
14.7  Old decorative garden lamps
This old garden lantrn is really a dutch lantern which happens to be a gift from Netherlands.

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