Nikkō Tōshō-gū, Shinto shrine in Nikko, Japan
Nikkō Tōshō-gū is a Shinto shrine in Nikko known for its richly decorated buildings that feature elaborate wood carvings, detailed lacquer work, and extensive use of gold leaf throughout the compound. The complex includes several structures such as gates, pavilions, and a five-story pagoda, all connected by ceremonial pathways and stone staircases.
Tokugawa Ieyasu died in 1616 and was first buried at Kunōzan; in 1617 his son, the second shogun Hidetada, had him reinterred at Nikkō, where Tōdō Takatora supervised the shrine's construction. The third shogun, Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu, ordered the Kan'ei rebuilding from 1634 to 1636, and in 1645 the court granted the title Tōshō-gū.
The shrine's spring and autumn festivals reenact the Edo-period processions of the shogunate to Nikkō, known as "processions of a thousand warriors". The name Yōmeimon, the richly carved gate, comes from a comparison with a gate of the same name in the Heian capital's palace; it is also called "higurashi no mon" because one could watch it until sundown without tiring.
The complex opens early in the morning and closes in the afternoon, with hours varying by season, so visiting in the morning often means fewer crowds. The site sits on a hillside and requires climbing several sets of stairs, so comfortable footwear and enough time to explore at a relaxed pace are advisable.
The central pillar of the five-story pagoda hangs about ten centimeters above the ground, a construction method designed to protect the building from earthquakes and the natural expansion of wood. This technique allows the structure to sway during tremors without losing stability.
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