Tety
Maryenti
Japanese
Culture Report
Nukui Shrine
Nukui
shrine is a famous shrine near Koganei. This shrine is close to Buddhist
temple. Even though it’s close, but the shrine is more popular than Buddhist
temple, since Japanese people believe in
Shinto’s Faith, on the other hand, Buddhist is minority religion in Japan, so
perhaps, that’s the reason why the shrine is bigger than temple. When i was
entering the house of noble family, i saw a beautiful garden there. There was a
big tree, which leaves will be turned into red-golden colour as autumn season
coming. I also found a monument of that house, it was written by Kanji so i
couldn’t read it, but my friend from China told me the meaning of the monument, which
means the owner wanted to protect the forest for his wife. The forest was
dedicated specially for his wife. I thought it was so heart-touching story.
After
that, we visited the shrine. Nukui Shrine has two different entrances, the easy
one is for women, and another is for men
which has many stairs, showing that men are stronger than women. There was a
big grey gate. I love that Shinto’s gate, because the shape was so beautiful
and it had sturdy looking, like no one can destroy it. I have seen the other
Shinto’s gate in Mitake Mountain Shrine,colored in red. I don’t know why the color
of the gate is different. Besides, there was a big pond which many of big ‘koi’ fishes swimming
inside it. Koi Fish is symbolized as a good luck.
If
we want to pray, we have to throw money to the big-wooden box in front of the
shrine then rings the bell by pulling the bell-rope, then bow twice, clap hands
twice and bow once for finishing praying. On the other side of the big shrine,
there was a small shrine, which gate was colored in red. The gate was so small
like the shrine and i was so interested with this shrine. I saw 6 foxes sitting
on the box inside the shrine. They were so cute. These foxes symbolized
richness. They will pursue your dream. Another thing was dog creature statue.
According to the story, this dog always protects the shrine from the
demon. I think i know why dog was
choosen as a guard, because its loyalty and its bravery to save people around
itself. Then, we went to the upstair side of shrine. There was a branch shrine,
used for simplifying visitors to pray and we can see Fuji mountain from there.
I found Buddhist statues there. These status are believed as protectors for
kids and foreigners who visit the shrine. I was so happy being there, and it
was really fascinating history.
 |
| Taken at Nuki Shrine :) with Guan from China XD |