Achi Shrine in Kurashiki

???のお守り An Omamori from ???

大酒神社の写真 Photos from ??sake Shrine

十二所神社の写真 Photos from Jūnisho Shrine

播磨国総社のお守り A Charm from Harima Kuni Sousha

姫路護国神社のお守り An Omamori from Himeji Gokoku Shrine

There's something special about shrines in the morning.

I left my hotel around nine in the morning and walked towards Himeji Castle. I was one of the few pedestrians on the road. The shrine had just opened as I arrived, and a man was just finishing raking the rocks around the honden, or main shrine building. I kept to the sidewalk to avoid messing up the neat lines.

Gokoku means "country-protection." Founded in 1938 as a part of a series of nationwide shrines meant to protect the state, Himeji Gokoku Shrine, and indeed the Gokoku shrine establishment was broken down after the war by the Occupation.

I bought this omamori because it was one of the best sheep omamori I've ever seen. Made of wood, it's very cute and would look nice on any bag or key ring. Unfortunately the miko I purchased it from acted like she was afraid of me. Very strange. I don't bite. It's not the first time I've encountered unease in Japan, even though there's no reason for it.

Himeji Gokoku Shrine can be accessed along the road right in front of Himeji Castle. It's to the right of the main entrance, on the station side.

熱田神宮のお守り An Omamori from Atsuta Jingu

An old woman enters Atsuta Jingu, one of Shinto's holiest shrines.

Atsuta Jingu is one of Japan's most important shrines, ranking amongst the famous Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture. The shrine complex is dedicated to the veneration of Atsuta-no-Okami, as well as the five kami of Atsuta, regional deities. In Shintoism, there are three sacred treasures brought down to earth by kami from the Heavenly Plane: a sword, a mirror, and beads. Atsuta Jingu is venerated as the host of the sacred sword, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi. Over fifty different festivals are held every year, and the Atsuta treasure house contains records, artwork, and sacred artifacts from every historical era. When I visited the shrine, the museum hosted an exhibition on samurai swords in the shrine's collection. 

Buses full of tourists visit Atsuta Jingu year round. I visited the shrine several times while living in Nagoya and witnessed three Shinto weddings and a purification ceremony. Wondering the huge grounds and enjoying the architecture and culture of worship 

Guests return omamori to the shrine at a building beside an old, sacred tree at Atsuta. Omamori are believed to lose their potency after one year. 

Families and visitors roam Atsuta Jingu's expansive park-like grounds.

Atsuta Jingu, although reconstructed after the war, is home to examples of Japan's native architectural style. This style, shinmei zukuri, features dramatic rooftops and clean, sparse lines. Visitors worship at a distance from the honden, or the home of the kami. 

Atsuta Jingu is a sprawling complex with over a dozen smaller shrines dedicated to minor deities. 

Visitors flock to buy omamori at Atsuta. Shinto priestesses handle purchases in a long, special building. A couple prepares to leave the shrine, satisfied with their purchases.

My omamori purchases at Atsuta Jingu. Many large shrines sell omamori corresponding the different zodiac animals. (In Japan, the animals are usually incredibly cute.) I also purchased a miniature wooden shrine that is meant to be placed in offices or homes, so that the blessings of Atsuta can follower the purchaser wherever they go. 

An old woman leaves Atsuta Jingu.

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。

城山八幡宮のお守り：A Charm from Shiroyama Hachimangu

The wonderful view from atop Shiroyama Hachimangu 

I visited Shiroyama Hachimangu during an temple/shrine-hunting excursion in Momoyama, Nagoya. Originally the site of the shrine was for a castle. Suemori Castle was built by Oda Nobuhite (1510-1551) a main mostly famous for being the father of Oda Nobunaga of Sengoku Jidai fame. The castle was passed on Nobunaga's brother, Nobuyuki, but the castle would not get much use. Ten years after inheriting it, Nobunaga killed Nobuyuki and Suemori Castle was abandoned. I couldn't find any signs of a castle having been there. The location is ideal for a castle — you have a fantastic view of the surrounding city from Shiroyama Shrine, although you have to walk up quite a few stairs.

A 20th century tori gate, the omamori shop, and the area of worship at the main shrine

Given the history of the area, you might naturally assume that Shiroyama Shrine is old. Founded in 1936, Shiroyama Shrine is a relatively modern creation, but still locally popular. There is a famous exorcism festival in the summer, and many people visit the shrine during the New Year. The shrine is also popular during the summer Chinowa-kuguri, an exorcism ritual in which one walks through a looped rope to purify themselves. 

I explored all the grounds beyond the main shrine building, and I found a sacred tree on one of the side roads. Many people had tied ema, a wooden tablet with wishes, on a rack beside the tree. Some visitors had tossed coins between the roots.

As for omamori, Shiroyama had quite a few to choose from, but I selected a yellow arrow to add to my collection. It was only fitting because it was still January, and I felt I ought to get one. 

Hamaya (demon-breaking-arrow) are purchased at temples and shrines during the New Year to ward off misfortunate and attract good luck. I've seen many people buying them during this past January. Some places also sell hamayumi, or the bows, as well. The traditional supposed originally began during the Edo period where parents purchased blessed bows and arrows for their sons. The hamaya I purchased is smaller than the usual type, but it came in a convenient case and was labeled by the shrine. 

My Shiroyama Hachimangu Omamori in front of the shrine.