伊勢神宮のお守り：An Omamori from Ise Shrine

This week I had the opportunity to visit Ise Jingu, or Ise Grand Shrine. There's natural beauty, a long history, and I'd like to visit again. Ise Jingu is recognized as Shinto's holiest shrine and dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, as well as a host of other important kami. Unfortunately photography is not allowed deeper in the shrine complex, but I took photos illustrating

今週伊勢神宮を見に行った。自然が多いし、歴史は長いし、また行きたいと思っている。
伊勢神宮の本殿の写真を撮れないから、残念だね？ でも、諦めずに、他の伊勢神宮の写真を撮ったよ！

Roosters and chickens, messengers of Amaterasu, roam freely at Ise Jingu. Roosters used to be offered as sacrifices, but now they pose for photos. 

伊勢神宮には、鶏を．．．殺す習慣があったが、現代写真の習慣だけある。よかったね。鶏も嬉しいかも。

Ise Jingu's inner shrine is torn down and rebuilt every twenty years to exact specifications. Ise Jingu's architectural style, shinmei zukuri, is characterized by dramatic rooftops, clean lines, and simple storehouses built off the ground. 

２０年間、新しい（でも同じ！）伊勢神宮はまた建てられた。来年は２０年間のおわりだから、新しい神宮が現れるね。

A photograph of me at the last place photography is permitted, right outside the entrance to the inner shrine.

本殿で写真を撮れない。でも、本殿の前の階段で写真が出る。

Visitors go to the famous Isuzugawa, a river that runs beside Ise. 

伊勢神宮の有名な「いすずかわ」だ。