Search
Search Results
Definition
Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of the same name, also known as Miyajima, located in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Traditionally founded in the 6th century CE, the present layout of buildings dates to the 12th...
Image
Panorama, Itsukushima Shrine
A section of the stilted buildings at the Shinto Itsukushima Shrine, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The shrine was first built in the 6th century CE and greatly expanded in 1168 CE by Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181 CE).
Image
Itsukushima Shrine
A view of the torri and stilted buildings at the Itsukushima Shrine, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Traditionally founded in the 6th century Ce but extensively remodelled in the 12th century CE.
Definition
Shinto
Shinto means 'way of the gods' and it is the oldest religion in Japan. Shinto's key concepts include purity, harmony, family respect, and subordination of the individual before the group. The faith has no founder or prophets and there is...
Definition
Shinto Architecture
The architecture of the 80,000 Shinto shrines in Japan varies depending on geographical location, the deity worshipped, and the date of foundation. The earlier Shinto shrines tend to be simpler and less decorative affairs than those which...
Video
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (UNESCO/NHK)
The island of Itsukushima, in the Seto inland sea, has been a holy place of Shintoism since the earliest times. The first shrine buildings here were probably erected in the 6th century A.D. The present shrine dates from the 12th century A.D...
Definition
Ise Grand Shrine
The Ise Grand Shrine or Ise Jingu, located in the heart of a sacred forest in the Mie Prefecture of Japan, is the most important Shinto shrine in the country and is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu with a separate shrine dedicated to...
Definition
Ancient Japan
Ancient Japan has made unique contributions to world culture which include the Shinto religion and its architecture, distinctive art objects such as haniwa figurines, the oldest pottery vessels in the world, the largest wooden buildings anywhere...
Definition
Susanoo
Take-haya-Susa-no-wo or Susanoo is the storm god of the Shinto religion. He is the younger brother of the sun goddess Amaterasu and infamous for his mischievous and sometimes destructive behaviour. Consequently, Susanoo has a reputation for...
Definition
Seven Lucky Gods
In Japanese folklore the Shichifukujin are the Seven Lucky Gods who may also be known as the Seven Gods of Happiness or the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. The seven gods are in fact of diverse origin as some are originally from Buddhism, some...