Tokoyokihime-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Tokoyokihime-jinja is a shrine built in the traditional nagare-zukuri style, a Japanese architectural approach featuring an asymmetrical roof that extends on one side. The buildings are constructed from unpainted wood and display intricate carvings on wooden panels and support beams, including scenes from mythology and stories of deities.
The shrine likely originated in the eighth century and was built in its current form in 1866. The carvings date from 1857-58 and represent the long tradition of craftsmanship connected to the shrine's establishment.
The shrine honors two deities: Kotoshironushi, associated with land and sea, and Oyamatsumi, a mountain god. Visitors can observe people leaving offerings and praying for safety and good health, which reflects the spiritual practice that continues here in daily life.
The shrine is surrounded by a wall, but the interior feels open and calm. Visitors should expect the grounds to be accessible during daytime hours, particularly in the morning and early afternoon when light conditions are good.
A particularly old Osmanthus fragrans tree stands on the grounds and is approximately 1,200 years old. The tree is over 15 meters (50 feet) tall and releases a gentle fragrance in late September when its small yellow-white flowers bloom.
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