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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Kasuga Grand Shrine



 Today I enjoyed the authentic Japanese tradition in Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara, although it  rained all day. Every 21rd of the month,the "Shunsai Festival" has been held to pray for the peace and security of the  nation for 900 years. It was my first time to participate such a serious Shinto ceremony. (I have no pics about the ceremony because taking pictures was not allowed there.) A solemn atmosphere filled the ground.


The path to the shrine passes through Deer Park (where tame deer roam free). Over a thousand stone lanterns line the way. They are all donations to the shrine. Many stone lanterns are old enough to be covered with moss. In the past, all the lanterns were lit every night for the people who came to pray at night.


Inside the precinct, a lot of bronze lanterns are hung from the eaves. The contrast of the red structure and the hanging lanterns is really gorgeous.


The lanterns below are rather new, real bronze color.


A Shinto wedding ceremony was being held when I visited in the afternoon. The lady with white hood is a bride. They all wear traditional Japanese costume.


Kasuga Grand Shrine and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest near it are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7 comments:

  1. what a neat place with a lot of history. I take it you have no snow?

    Gill in Canada

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    1. Hi, Gill.
      Thank you for your question. Yes, we didn't have any snow yesterday around this area, but the news said there were some snow in Tokyo. You are packed in snow? Take care!

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  2. hello dear, it is really a very special place..i love the stone lanteren so much..deers are looking so calm and cute..
    thank you for sharing..
    love for you xx

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comments.The Kasuga Grand Shrine has a special histoy connecting with the imperial family. Every day the place has a calm and peaceful air.

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  3. Beautiful photos of this historic and wonderful shrine, Annie. The deer are a great addition to the photos and your notes help contextualise the tradition of this significant cultural heritage site.
    Have a great Sunday!

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    1. Hi, Nick. The Nara deer look very tame, but when they find people having deer cracker, they turn themselves into starving deer! Fun!

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  4. the little deer are beautiful; the lanterns impress me; such a lovely setting. I do admire "Japanese" so much; it speak transquility so eloquently

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