Kyoto Toyokuni Shrine

Visit the resurrected shrine and travel back in time!

Takako Sakamoto May 17, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>National treasure, Kara-Mon (main gate) of Toyokuni Shrine</p>

<p>Torii gate and green trees at Toyokuni Shrine, Higashiyama, Kyoto</p>

<p>Kara-Mon gate (main gate) of Toyokuni Shrine. This is a national treasure and was moved first from Nijo Castle to Fushimi Castle, then to Toyokuni Shrine</p>

<p>Gentle breeze flutters gourd-shaped Ema (wish plaques) hanging from Kara-Mon gate</p>

<p>Intricate gold decoration of Kara-Mon, a national treasure. Toyotomi clan's crest, Paulownia of 5-7 can be seen</p>

<p>Close-up of one of the gold decorations. Crests of Japanese Imperial family (chrysanthemum) and Toyotomi Clan (Paulownia of 5-7) are engraved</p>

<p>Shrine office, trees on the grounds and the moon in the sky</p>

<p>Entrance to treasure house. Unfortunately I arrived late in the afternoon and it was already closed  </p>

<p>Entrance of some gardens. It was forbidden to enter...</p>

<p>...but when it's forbidden, you want to peek in, don't you?</p>

<p>Pine tree and Kara-Mon (main gate) of Toyokuni Shrine</p>

Toyokuni Shrine, Higashiyama, Kyoto, is where Toyotomi Hideyoshi is enshrined. This shrine was almost destroyed when Tokugawa eliminated the Toyotomi Clan by burning Osaka Castle to ashes, but was saved by the beseeching of Nene, the wife of Hideyoshi. It had been closed and forbidden to enter for 269 years throughout the Edo Period, but was re-opened by Meiji Emperor in 1868, when Tokugawa lost its power. For details, please read my other article. Next door is Hokoji Temple, where the fatal bell that doomed the Toyotomi Clan stands.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...