Meiji Shrine

Meiji under construction in 1920

Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, aerial view of Meiji Jingu, c. 1926.

After the emperor's death in 1912, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to commemorate his role in the Meiji Restoration. An iris garden in an area of Tokyo where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken had been known to visit was chosen as the building's location.

Construction began in 1915 under Itō Chūta, and the shrine was built in the traditional nagare-zukuri style, using primarily Japanese cypress and copper. The building of the shrine was a national project, mobilizing youth groups and other civic associations from throughout Japan, who contributed labor and funding.[3] The main timbers came from Kiso in Nagano, and Alishan in Taiwan, then a Japanese territory, with materials being utilized from every Japanese prefecture, including Karafuto, Korea, Kwantung, and Taiwan. It was estimated that the cost of the construction was ¥5,219,00 in 1920 (approximately US$26 million today), about a quarter of the actual cost due to the donated materials and labor.[4]

It was formally dedicated on November 3, 1920, completed in 1921, and its grounds officially finished by 1926. The interior volume of the shrine complex when originally built was 650 tsubo.[4][5] Until 1946, the Meiji Shrine was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.[6]

The original building was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in October 1958.[7]

Meiji Shrine has been visited by numerous foreign politicians, including United States President George W. Bush, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.[8]

An aerial photograph of Meiji Shrine Naien and Yoyogi Park (1989)

An aerial photograph of Meiji Shrine Gaien (1989)

Meiji Shrine is located in a forest that covers an area of 70 hectares (170 acres). This area is covered by an evergreen forest that consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established. The forest is visited by many as a recreation and relaxation area in the center of Tokyo.[2] The entrance to the shrine complex leads through the Jingu Bashi bridge. Meiji Shrine is adjacent to Yoyogi Park which together is a large forested area. The entrances open at sunrise and close at sunset.

The shrine itself is composed of two major areas:

Several festivals are held at the shrine per year.[9] Some festivals are held annually. The exhibitions range from ice carving, shodoten (calligraphy winners's works), bonsai, Suiseki Masterpieces, Memory Dolls, Chrysanthemums, Dahlia and exhibitions at the Treasure Museum Annex.[9]

• A ring-entering ceremony by a Yokozuna, called Dezuiri (手数入り), is performed at the shrine in January (usually around January 5-7) and during the Autumn Festival. Also newly promoted Yokozuna usually perform their first ring-entering ceremony here.[10]
• Autumn Grand Festival (From October 31 to November 3)[9]
  • October 31 - Autumn Grand Festival Bugaku at the main shrine building
  • November 1 - Autumn Grand Festival: Enshrinement Anniversary Ceremony, Afternoon Ceremony
  • November 2 - Autumn Grand Festival Morning Ceremony
  • November 3 - Autumn Grand Festival Anniversary of Emperor Meiji's Birthday

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  Kisenosato performing his first yokozuna dohyō-iri at the Meiji Shrine
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  In front of Ichino Torii (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  Around Otorii (Ichino Torii) (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  Proceed along the south approach (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  In front of Minamijinmon (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  View the worship hall from the South Shrine (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  Dedication festival (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  Dedication festival (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  View Otorii from the south approach (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  Around Otorii (photographed on October 31, 2010)
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  Ancient Martial Arts Dedication at the Festival of Autumn (November 2, 2012)
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  Classical martial arts (gunnery) demonstration at the Festival of Autumn (November 3, 2012)
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  Demon Flower Vacation at the Festival of Autumn (November 2, 2012)

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  Torii at the entrance to Meiji-jingu
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  Barrels of sake (nihonshu) donated to Meiji Shrine
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  Barrels of Burgundy wine from France donated to Meiji-shrine
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  Torii at the courtyard of Meiji-jingu
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  Priests and maidens wear traditional dress in preparation for a wedding at Meiji Shrine
• Several scenes on a rainy day in Meiji Shrine
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  Women signing prayers in main courtyard
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  Prayers left by visitors
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  In front of Meiji shrine
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  The central sanctuary
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  Full view of the shrine
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  Meiji Shrine main yard panorama
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  Meiji Shrine Gyoen (inner garden)
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  Meiji Shrine Treasure Museum
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  Meiji Shrine with Yoyogi Park

• List of Jingū
• List of Shinto shrines
• Meiji Jingu Stadium

• Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 194887

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Meiji Shrine.

• Official English site
• Meiji Shrine English map
• Meiji Shrine Pictures & Travel Guide
• Japanese-English Translation Practical guide for travelers