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You are here: Home / Stock Photography / Japan / Shrines / Matsuyama Isaniwa Jinga Shrine

Matsuyama Isaniwa Jinga Shrine

An impressive rise of stone steps leads up to the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine. Matsuyama, Japan

An impressive rise of stone steps leads up to the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine. Matsuyama, Japan

A temizuya is a place for a Shinto ceremonial purification rite known as temizu. The temizuya is usually situated in an open area where clear water fills one or more stone basins. The water filled basins are used by worshipers for washing their left hand, right hand, mouth and the handle of the water ladle, to purify themselves before approaching the main Shinto shrine. Originally, this purification was likely done at a spring or stream and this way is still thought of as ideal. Matsuyama, Japan

A temizuya is a place for a Shinto ceremonial purification rite known as temizu. The temizuya is usually situated in an open area where clear water fills one or more stone basins. The water filled basins are used by worshipers for washing their left hand, right hand, mouth and the handle of the water ladle, to purify themselves before approaching the main Shinto shrine. Originally, this purification was likely done at a spring or stream and this way is still thought of as ideal. Matsuyama, Japan

A small Shrine for wishing good fortune on family, health, relationships etc. Matsuyama, Japan

Omikuji are pre written random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan. A small coin offering is made to the Shrine or Temple and then the omikuji are randomly chosen from a box, hoping for the fortune to be good. The Omikuji paper strips include a general blessing which can be about health, fortune, life, etc. When the prediction is bad, it is custom to fold up the strip of paper and attach it beside other bad fortunes to a tree or a wall of metal wires. If the fortune is good, you have the option of also tying it up to increase the fortune for a greater effect, or can keep it for luck. Matsuyama, Japan

Omikuji are pre written random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan. A small coin offering is made to the Shrine or Temple and then the omikuji are randomly chosen from a box, hoping for the fortune to be good. The Omikuji paper strips include a general blessing which can be about health, fortune, life, etc. When the prediction is bad, it is custom to fold up the strip of paper and attach it beside other bad fortunes to a tree or a wall of metal wires. If the fortune is good, you have the option of also tying it up to increase the fortune for a greater effect, or can keep it for luck. Matsuyama, Japan

Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes, the ema are then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They are sold for various wishes; common reasons for buying a plaque are for success in your work or exams, a good marriage, to have children, and health. At some shrines, you can find ema in many languages, as tourists leave their own wishes and prayers. Matsuyama, Japan

Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes, the ema are then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They are sold for various wishes; common reasons for buying a plaque are for success in your work or exams, a good marriage, to have children, and health. At some shrines, you can find ema in many languages, as tourists leave their own wishes and prayers. Matsuyama, Japan

The names and locations of past donors to the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine carved in stone. Matsuyama, Japan

The names and locations of past donors to the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine engraved on stone. Matsuyama, Japan

Looking down the stone steps from the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine. Matsuyama, Japan

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