 | Historical Grounds of the Tokugawa Family Who Built the Edo Period
Nikko Toshogu Shrine is most famous for honoring Tokugawa Ieyasu, but there are numerous Toshogu Shrines throughout Japan. The Toshogu found in Kawagoe is one of the three major Toshogu Shrines in Japan called ‘Senba Toshogu’.
In 1616, Tokugawa Ieyasu died in Sunpu (present day Shizuoka Prefecture) and the remains were carried from Shizuoka to Nikko Mountain. On the way, a four day Buddhist memorial service was held by Tenkai Sojyo at Kitain Temple. Due to that, in 1633, the Toshogu Shrine was built on the southside of Kitain Temple.
Five years after that in 1638, ‘The Big Fire of Kanei’ burned down everything except the Kitain Mountain Gate. When Tokugawa Iemitsu declared the restoration of Kitain Temple, the reconstruction of Toshogu was started first and completed in 1640. The Honden Main Shrine with brilliant colored lacquer ornaments, Karamon Gate, Mizugaki Fence, Haiden Front Shrine, Heiden Side Shrine, Zuishin Front Gate, stone Torii Gate are all recognized as important cultural assets.
The pillars found in the shrine pavilions have elaborate carvings that suit Toshogu Shrine. Inside the main shrine, a statue of Ieyasu is found. Among the cultural assets are the pictures of Sanjyu Roku Kasen Egaku and 12 sided Taka Egaku.
The importance and weight of the history can be strongly felt through the elaborate aoi mitsuba leaf family crest found on the Haiden Front Shrine entrance gate and the stone garden lantern with an engraved name of and Edo Shogunate chief who was the owner of Kawagoe Castle.
|
