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Sacred Sights
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"Monkey Shrines" Hie Shrine, Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan |
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When you see a gateway at a temple or shrine that has bays on either side, you expect them to be occupied by human figures. Well, not in this gate at Hie Jinja in Tokyo:
This shrine is dedicated to Sanno (meaning "Mountain King") Gongen. He dwells on Mt. Hiei, between Kyoto and Lake Biwa. This is also the home mountain of Tendai Chinese Tien-tai, Buddhism so many of Japan's 3400 Hie Jinjas are built in proximity to Tendai temples, meant to protect them. Sanno's messenger is a monkey. So, although the bays on the outside of the gate above contain the typical warrior figures, here are the occupants of the bays on the inside: |
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That's right: monkeys. Clothed, kind of creepy-looking monkeys. The female on the left cradles a baby in her arms; male and female both hold implements used in Shinto rituals. The monkeys--especially the female--are patrons of harmonious marriage (my best friend Reiko was married at this shrine) and safe childbirth. |
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