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Shintoism Unveiled: Sensation, Not Belief, at Japanese Shrines

Unlocking the true essence of Shintoism can add an enchanting layer to your visits to Japanese shrines. Here, Shintoism transcends the realm of belief and emerges as a profound religion of sensation.

In your sojourn to the customary shrines, you pass beneath the vermilion archways, traverse the sacred grounds to reach the principal edifice housing the enshrined deity, and offer your prayers with clasped hands. The architectural splendor envelops you in an aura of sanctity, and it all seems like poetry in stone and wood.

Yet, venture into the heart of antiquity, where ancient shrines like the Suwa Shrine in Nagano Prefecture beckon. This venerable institution, dating back to the mists of history's earliest records in 692 AD, unravels the very essence of Shintoism—an essence that transcends brick and mortar.

Suwa Shrine, a sprawling complex, comprises four pivotal shrines encircling a serene lake. Each shrine stands encircled by four towering wooden sentinels. Indeed, even the most diminutive shrines in the Suwa region, which cradle the dreams of quaint hamlets, are graced by the same four steadfast poles.

Should you choose to explore the hallowed grounds of one of Suwa Shrine's crown jewels, the Kamisha Maemiya Shrine nestled in a tranquil forest, you'll behold an architectural wonder like no other. Within those sentinel poles, a substantial wooden structure with a roof stretches skyward—yet, it boasts no walls, no idols, just boundless space.

It's a temple with the world's most impressive natural air conditioning, where every breeze is poetry and every zephyr, divine. The tall sentinels stand as custodians, designating the sacred locus where this celestial ambiance flows.

In the parlance of the Japanese, this ethereal sensation is christened a "godly presence." The steadfast poles serve as compass points to this ineffable encounter—one where the hustle and bustle of everyday life dissolves, and you are left with the pure essence of tranquility. 🌲✨😌

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Image: Tori Gate Amidst Ocean Waves by Kamisaka Sekka

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