2025.02.19

Miiwa Shrine, the gods of Hitachi Province, Part 2

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Article Table of Contents

A sacred place for syncretizing Shinto and Buddhas, traces the eternal history
- What is Shinto? From worship of nature to national Shinto

A sacred place for syncretizing Shinto and Buddhas, traces the eternal history

Oiwa Shrine. The name is truly a sacred place for syncretizing the gods that have lived in this land since ancient times and the faith that has been fused since the introduction of Buddhism. Continuing from last time, this time we explore this mysterious space even deeper into it, unraveling the unique atmosphere created by Shinto and Buddhism, as well as the historical changes that have passed through the order of separation of Shinto and Buddhism during the Meiji Restoration, leading to the present day.

As you begin walking along the approach, you feel as if you have stepped into another world. A dignified and refreshing air strokes your skin, and the vital energy can be transmitted from the surrounding trees.

The squeal of the clear stream flowing nearby calms the mind and encourages deep breaths. It's a luxurious time where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and feel the breath of nature with your whole body.

A beautiful, mossy look spreads out along the approaching path, and looks like a Japanese garden. The space surrounded by silence is as if time has stopped. The green carpet-like moss is a work of art created by nature over the years, and its beauty will make you breathless. Old shrines are scattered around, each standing quietly as witnesses of history. These shrines once housed gods enshrined by local people with their wishes, and their existence shows that this land has been an object of faith since ancient times.

As you proceed along the approach, you will see the solemn appearance of the Romon Gate (Onio Gate). The vivid vermilion colour creates a contrast with the surrounding greenery, further highlighting its presence. The Romon acts as a barrier separating the divine realm from the secular world, and by passing through it, you can purify your mind and body and prepare yourself to enter a sacred space.

Here, I would like to touch on the two religions that form the basis of Japanese spiritual culture: Shinto and Buddhism.

What is Shinto? From worship of nature to national Shinto

Shinto originates from the natural worship of ethnic groups that originally existed in the Japanese archipelago. Since ancient times, Japanese people have been revered, thinking that gods reside in nature, such as mountains, rivers, seas, and forests. Natural phenomena such as the sun, moon, wind, and thunder have also been worshipped as manifestations of the gods, and have given thanks and prayers in daily life.

However, primitive worship of nature has not yet remained. Even though it is the oldest shrine in Japan, it enshrines the gods that appear in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, compiled by the Yamato Imperial Court. These myths are the founding myths of Japan, and tell the story of the gods, centered around Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestral god of the emperor.

Originally Shinto worshiped gods that had no name or appearance, which resided in various things, such as rocks, seas, large trees, and large rocks, prayed for a wealth of harvests and good health by praying for a threat to nature that could not be managed by human power. The spirit of appreciating the bounty of nature and cherishing coexistence with nature is deeply rooted in modern Japanese lives.

Three Cedars of Mt. Miiwa and the Giants of the Forest

As you proceed along the approach, you will see a giant tree with an overwhelming presence. It's three cedars from Mt. Oiwa. The large cedar, which is about 600 years old, is a designated natural monument in Ibaraki Prefecture and has been selected as one of the Forestry Agency's "100 Best Forest Giants."

The "100 Top titans of the Forest" is a selection of representative giants and giant trees by the Forestry Agency, focusing on forest ecosystems centered around giant trees and giant trees that should be kept in a healthy way as assets for the next generation. As the name suggests, the three-ced cedar towers from the base, with three trunks standing there, and its appearance is truly impressive. Their powerful appearance stretches towards the sky, giving them a sense of the strength of life and overwhelms those who see them.

A special air flows around the three cedar. A quiet and calm space spreads out, as if protected by a sacred barrier. When you touch the base of a giant tree, it seems that the energy of the earth can be conveyed. Three cedar cedar, which has lived for many years, has been watching over the history of this land, and its existence symbolizes the sacredness of Mt. Miiwa.

What is Buddhism: The Road to Enlightenment

Buddhism is a religion that originated in India and began when Gautama Siddhartha (Shakyamuni), who lived in the 5th century BC, became enlightened. Shakyamuni deeply explored the causes of human suffering and confusion and found a solution. The teachings were systematized as the Four Destinies and the Eightfold Path, and influenced many people.

A person who has achieved enlightenment is called a Buddha. The Buddhist teaching is to "achieve enlightenment" and "become a Buddha." In Buddhism, we aim to be free from suffering by cutting off worldly desires and gaining peace in our hearts.

Various sects emerged from Buddhism, and Japanese Buddhism is one of the Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism places emphasis on not only enlightenment of oneself, but also on salvation of others. The purpose is to worship various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, including Kannon Bodhisattva and Yakushi Buddha, and to save people.

The religion of the Buddha is said to be Theava Buddhism in Southeast Asia and other places, and is very different from Mahayana Buddhism. (In Mahayana Buddhism, the emphasis is placed on the purpose of saving people, including Kannon and Yakushi Buddha, while in Theravada Buddhism, the difference is that one Buddha believes in one person and concentrates on his own training.)

Sai Shrine: Symbol of Shinto and Buddha's synopsis

After passing through the Romon gate and continuing along the approach, Saijinja will appear. Sai Shrine is a valuable place that conveys the image of Shinto and Buddha's synopsis to the present day.

The enshrined deities include Shinto gods such as Ame Minakanushi no Kami, Takamusubi no Kami, Kamimusubi no Kami, Yachimata Hikokami, and Yachimata Hime no Kami. However, at Sai Shrine, Buddhist statues include Dainichi Nyorai (Kamakura period) and Amida Nyorai (Muromachi period). These Buddha statues were once enshrined as the main deities of Dainichido and Jonemun Buddha Hall.

Sai Shrine is truly a symbolic place for the syncretization of Shinto gods and Buddhist statues, with Shinto gods and Buddhist statues present in the same space. Although Shinto and Buddhism are different religions, they coexist and merge together to create a unique form of faith that is unique to Japan. Sai Shrine can be said to be valuable evidence that conveys its historical background to the present day.

The image of a mix of gods and Buddhas appears in the previous Romon (Oniomon) and this shrine.

God Bridge - Bridge to sacred places

A god bridge is located near Sai Shrine. The God Bridge is a bridge leading to the gods of the gods, and by crossing it you can step into even more sacred spaces. From the bridge, you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding nature, giving you a sense of being washed away.

The Komainu in front of Miiwa Shrine and the existence that protects the sacred realm

On the way to Miiwa Shrine after crossing the Shinto Bridge, there are Komainu in the area. Komainu plays the role of protecting the entrance to shrines and is worshiped as beings that protect the divine territory from evil. The Komainu at Miiwa Shrine are powerful and dignified, welcoming worshippers and continuing to protect the sacred space.

Miiwa Shrine - a place where you can feel the breath of the gods

Miiwa Shrine enshrines 22 other gods, including Kunitokotachi no Mikoto, Okuninushi no Mikoto, Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, and 22 other gods. These gods are important gods that appear in Japanese mythology, each of whom plays a different role and watch over people's lives.

Miiwa Shrine is a sacred place where the gods reside, and visitors can feel the breath of the gods and feel peace of mind. When you pray quietly in front of the shrine, you will feel like your heart is being washed away and you will gain new strength.

Order for Separation of Shinto and Buddhism and Transformation into the National Shinto

In 1868, the new Meiji government adopted the policy of making Shinto national religion a reality in order to realize the ideals of "restoration of the royal rule" and "unity of the sectarian government," and issued an order to separate Shinto and Buddhism to prohibit the mixing of the gods and Buddhas that had been widely practiced up until then.

National Shinto will be established as one of the measures to centralize Japan and keep up with Western civilizations. The Order of Separation of Shinto and Buddhism was an event that marked a major turning point in the history of Japan's religious history, and its influence remains strongly in the appearance of modern shrines and temples.

In addition to ordering monks who served the shrine to return to the tradition (※), it was also forbidden to offer Buddhist altar equipment to Shinto gods, and to use "sacred bodies" as Buddhist statues. (※) Genzoku: A person who has become a monk abandons his or her precepts and returns to being a resident or a resident.

Miiwa Shrine was also renamed Miiwayama Daigongen to Miiwa Shrine due to the Order of Separation of Shinto and Buddhas. At the same time, temple buildings such as Niomon, Jonemun Buddha Hall, Hyakukannon Hall, and Ome-do Hall were destroyed. However, Niomon was rebuilt in 1991 and has returned to its former state.

To Mt. Miiwa and the Challenge of Mt. Shinto

Next, we climb Mt. Miiwa, a giant rock-soled sardine that is the sacred object of Miiwa Shrine. Mt. Miiwa is a sacred mountain where the gods reside, and you can see a spectacular view from the summit. Although there are some rough mountain trails, you can go slowly while enjoying the scenery rich in nature.

Climbing Mt. Miiwa requires physical strength, but the scenery that awaits you beyond that is exceptional. The sense of accomplishment when I arrived at the summit was indescribable.

Miiwa Shrine is a valuable place that conveys the history of Shinto and Buddha's syncretism to the present, and its mysterious atmosphere continues to fascinate visitors. Why not visit Miiwa Shrine and enjoy its history and nature?