Itsukushima Shrine Image obtained from Wikipedia Vi Phan

Itsukushima Shrine Image obtained from Wikipedia Vi Phan Phillip Langenkamp Drew Hitchcock

Location • Located at: – Longitude: N 34˚ 17’ 39. 9” – Latitude: E 132˚ 19’ 28. 7” • City of Hatsukaichi in the Hiroshima Prefecture • Inland Sea of Japan Image Source: http: //whc. unesco. org/en/list/776 Image Source: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Hatsukaichi, _Hiroshima

History • The first buildings were likely built in the 6 th century under Empress Suiko • It is said that a shrine was first built on the island in 593. • The current shrine was constructed in 1168 with funds provided by Taira no Kiyomori • In 1555 the Battle of Miyajima took place, and it has been the only battle to be fought on the sacred island • No deaths or births have been permitted at the shrine to retain purity • Burials on the island are forbidden Itsukushima Shrine Family Crest Images obtained from Wikipedia

Cultural Significance • The Torii gate is famous for being one of the “Three Views of Japan” • The entire island of Miyajima is considered to be a Shinto Temple • Recognized to be a national treasure • UNESCO World Heritage Site Images obtained from Wikipedia

Torii Gate at Miyajima • A Torii gate is used indicate the entrance to a sacred space • People had to come to the island by first passing underneath the Torii Gate • At high tide it appears to be floating, but at low tide people can walk underneath it • The current gate was constructed in to 1875, but a gate has existed there since 1168 • The gate is built of camphor wood and stands 16 meters tall Images obtained from Wikipedia

Travel Considerations • The shrine is a 5 -10 minute walk from the Miyajima Ferry Pier • Nearby Hotels – Benten no Yado Itsukushima • Onsen Baths (hot springs) • Seafood • Torii Gate view in some rooms – Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto • 17 th century sukiya style hotel built in the Edo period • Private open air baths with views of the Shrine and the Torii Gate Image Sources: http: //bentennoyado. com/english/index. html http: //www. miyajima-arimoto. co. jp/english/index. html

Works Cited • • http: //whc. unesco. org/en/list/776 http: //www. miyajima-wch. jp/en/itsukushima 1. html http: //www. nationmaster. com/encyclopedia/Battle-of-Miyajima http: //www. miyajima-arimoto. co. jp/english/index. html http: //bentennoyado. com/english/index. html http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Itsukushima_Shrine http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Hatsukaichi, _Hiroshima http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Torii_Gate