Meiji Shrine

After recovering for a day or two and dealing with Jet Lag, my aunt and I hit the town. Our first stop was the Meiji Shrine, located in Meiji-jingumae. The Meiji Shrine was a gorgeous first stop for us to make. Located in one of the hearts of Tokyo, we stepped out of the blaring hustle and bustle of the streets and took refuge in a wooded sanctuary where people have come for centuries to feel peace and tranquility. On the road to the sanctuary, we saw several workers raking the gravel, creating a pristine walkway in a practice that demonstrated the precision and dedication that permeates this culture. The gate in the picture is called a Torii and are made out of Japanese Cypress. The Torii symbolize the roost of the mythical bird that woke up the sun god Amaterasu from her cave every morning. When you pass through a Torii, your heart is cleansed and your mind is purified. Toriis separate the divine from the everyday and when you walk through, you leave the everyday and enter a holy place. (Just a bit of cool trivia) We learned that the shrine had been bombed during WWII and had since been rebuilt. Near the entrance, HUGE chrysanthemums were growing. The chrysanthemums represent the royal family and are tended very carefully resulting in a vibrant bloom. Inside the courtyard of the shrine, there was a whole wall of prayers written on wooden planks and hung up to be sent heavenward.