Meiji Jingu

Being a polytheist, I have a healthy respect for foreign deities, so I decided that it would be a good idea to pay my respects to the local gods of Japan as soon as possible. Since I'm staying for a whole year, it would be a bad idea to offend the gods by neglecting to introduce myself.

Luckily for my dormmates and I, we are very close to Harajuku, home of the Meiji Jingu, a shinto shrine dedicated to the souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Here is a little bit of information about the Emperor and Empress:

Though their tombs are in Kyoto, their spirits are worshipped at the Meiji shrine in Tokyo (Harajuku is a district in Tokyo). They passed away in 1912 and 1914 respectively, but the effects of the Emperor's policy of an open and internationally-minded Japan can be seen today in Japan's involvement on the world stage. Emperor Meiji, the great-grandfather of the present emperor, ascended the throne in 1867 and helped Japan come out of its long period of isolation. Empress Shoken was known for her devotion to national welfare and women's education. Also concerned with world affairs, the Empress donated a fund in her name to the International Red Cross which is still used for welfare activities today. Both were accomplished waka poets, and their sincere hearts dedicated to the people can be seen in their poetry.

The first image was the entrance to the shrine complex, and this is outside the entrance. There is water in that platform, and you take one of the wooden dippers and wash your hands and mouth thinking pure thoughts before you can pray in the shrine.

This is a wall on which hangs thousands of prayers written by visitors on wooden plaques. Most were in Japanese, but a good number were in English, too.










This is the inner shrine where you pray. I introduced myself to the gods and asked for a good school year in Japan. Since it's Emperor Meiji, I didn't think he'd mind that I'm a gaijin (foreignor). There are also a few offering boxes where you throw in money for the shrine. I made sure to donate, just in case it helps to win the gods to my side.

Afterwards, we bought some charms from the temple priestesses. I bought one for mental and physical health that I attached to my cell phone and another for my studies, which I hung on my mirror. I'm gonna need all the help I can get!