Ishikawa

Dual religion at Natadera

Shinto side by side with Buddhism in autumn sunshine

Cathy Cawood Sep 26, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Stone torii behind a moss covered tree trunk</p>

<p>Stone lantern under a fiery maple</p>

<p>Sunlit maple leaves behind a stone torii</p>

<p>A series of stone torii leading to a shrine</p>

<p>Fortune paper tied to a sprig of red berries</p>

<p>Magnificent statue of a samurai on horseback - possibly Lord Toshitsune Maeda who rebuilt Natadera after it burned down</p>

Buddhism and Shinto have co-existed peacefully in Japan for many hundreds of years. One example of this can be seen at Natadera in Ishikawa Prefecture. There is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the gods of nearby Mount Hakusan side by side with Buddhist shrines. On a sunny autumn day I admired the maple leaves, and I gave thanks for beauty, peace, and tolerance.

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...