The first stone lion to greet you on the steps up

The first stone lion to greet you on the steps up (Photo: Rod Walters)

Okamori Shrine in Uchiko

Fine stone lions, interesting walls and wood grain

Anonymous Feb 03, 2013 - 1 min read

The first stone lion to greet you on the steps up

Guardian bowmen lurking darkly in the main gate

Three bells to choose from

A drum waits for the priest to beat it

Withered flowers remain from the summer

The main building of Okamori Shrine

Tall and ancient cedars line the perimeter of the grounds

Foliage clings to this decorative rock. The stonework of the shrine's foundation is unusual.

The paneling on the back of the shrine is said to represent harmony

The guardian lions inside the grounds are fearsome. This one says "Ah!", the first syllable of the sound heard at the creation of the cosmos.

This one says "Um!", the second syllable.

"I'm glad to be Japanese". State Shinto dies hard. Kameoko Shuzo sake brewery is right next door.

Okamori Shrine in Uchiko is located next to Kameoka Shuzo sake brewery. Steep steps lead up through a bamboo forest to the isolated shrine. The shrine is characterized by an elaborate stone base and wood panels whose grain pattern, merging into one from both sides, is said to symbolize harmony.

Anonymous @rod.walters__archived

I was born in Bristol, England, and I came to Japan in 1991 … which means I’ve lived half my life in this island nation on the other side of the world. The theme of my career in Japan has been communication. I started as an English teacher, and moved into translation as I learned Japanese....