7 Japan DAY 3 –FLOATING SHRINE (TEMPLE?), MIYAJIMA ISLAND, HIROSHIMA, JAPAN (26 April, 2014)

Shrine or temple? Ok, let me clear this first, the title confusion. Shrine is a worshiping place for Shinto Gods of Shintoism, whereas temple in Japan mainly means the place to practice Buddhism. Shinto is an indigenous religion of Japan practiced by 80% of the population. This is what I understood, as far as Japan is concerned, Shintoism and Buddhism are related religions and they are complemented each other. Shinto means the way of the Gods. Here ‘way’ means path or entrance. That is the reason why, all Shinto shrines contain a gate called Torii Gate which forms a boundary between the spirit and the human worlds. Simply speaking, the life or material world events (marriage, job, business etc.) are handled by Shintoism and death or afterlife events (funeral) are by Buddhism.

Hiroshima railway station, Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     Okay, let me back to my story. Hiroshima was very different from what I had in my mind. First of all, there was not a trace that the town had once been completely destroyed and second, it was well developed and a sprawling town at a glance.

At Hotel Granvia Hiroshima lobby waiting for the tour bus,
Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     However I did not study more of the little town as my parents made their way to Hotel Granvia Hiroshima where we had to meet our tour guide at 10 am. The guide arrived precisely. My mother had gone of somewhere (window-shopping at hotel lobby, out of our sight); so while I waited for her, my father followed the guide to situate the bus where to take. Not sooner had he left, my mother returned and we too went outside the hotel lobby. It seemed the bus was ready to leave at least that was what I concluded when I saw my father’s urgent signal in the universal gesture ‘hurry up’.

     Fortunately we made it to the bus in time and ourselves seated comfortably. I was not happy though the anxiety of missing the bus often hinders my already quaint ability to enjoy the tour. But I did enjoy this trip in the end so I would not bother with the woes of package tours.

Hiroshima Castle is seen. On the way to Miyajima island.
Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     First we stopped near the Hiroshima Castle to take some pictures. This Castle was originally built in 1589 by the powerful feudal lord Mori Terumoto. It was destroyed in 1945 by atomic bomb attack and was rebuilt in 1958.

Ferry to Miyajima island. Torii gate is seen. Hiroshima, Japan. 
Apr. 26, 2014

     Then we made our way to a ferry harbour in Hatsukaichi City in South-western Hiroshima. We took a ferry to Miyajima Island, to visit Itsukushima Shrine The Shrine is usually surrounded with sea water and look as if the shrine is floating on sea. Unfortunately it was low tide when we visited, however, we did find a lot of crabs which for some reason had my mother excited.

The wooden spoon at Miyajima island. Hiroshima, Japan. 
Apr. 26, 2014

     A style of wooden spoon used to serve cooked rice, without impairing the taste, is said to have been invented by a monk who lived on the island. The spoon is a popular souvenir, and there were some outsized examples around the shopping district.

     The island had a lot of deer which seemed to be unafraid of humans going as far as coming close enough to be touched and not flinching when touched. The guide warned us to be careful with our pamphlets saying that the deer would try to eat it if given the opportunity. Before the ferry station, she told us that after the shrine tour we were free to wander until 2 pm, after which they had to assemble there.

The great Torii gate of Miyajima, Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     The shrine had a torii gate in the water, large enough to let boats pass and a smaller one on land through which we passed apparently this was the first form of purification.

A purification ritual in Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima island. 

Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

    The second form was done by oneself with water provided before entering the temple. Our guide showed us how to do it and after her tutorial a few from our group tried it. By using the wooden ladle the water is scooped and poured on the left hand (rinsing) followed by the same process for the right hand, shift the ladle again to the right hand and scoop water to pour it over the left palm, take a small sip of water to rinse the mouth, wash the left hand again and return the ladle face down to the chozu bowl.

     Since it was the first time I visited a Shinto shrine I listened to the guide the best I could with my parents making frequent stops to take pictures.

The Floating Shrine on the Sea during low tide in Miyajima island. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     Our guide mostly talked about the relations between Buddhism and Shintoism which gradually developed from initial disagreements to mutual coexistence with effects on the constructions of the shrines. Even the method of praying in Shintoism she showed us at the altar, was similar to Buddhists form of prayer.

     The tour of the shrine ended with an explanation of the festival which occurs every low tide period, and the beautiful dance performed as it course.

Lunch-Oyster noodles at Miyajima island. 
Hiroshima, Japan. Apr. 26, 2014

     After our group disbanded me and my parents wandered around the market which we had passed on our way to the shrine to find a place to eat. Finally, my parents decided to eat at Okonomiyaki restaurant which had been pointed out by the guide. It was definitely worth the search the Oyster noodles was delicious and we enjoyed. But my father apparently felt like eating sweets so we bought ourselves some red bean bread from a sweets shop located at the end of the market street.

     It was official after I had a taste of the bread red bean would always be my favourite filling the taste was natural and it had a sweet flavor yet not enough to make me puke.

With our tour guide at Miyajima island. Hiroshima, Japan. Apr 26, 2014

     When we made it to the meeting point, only the guide was standing there as a result we started talking about the atomic bomb and her circumstances then.