General Description
The Main Shrine at Ise, discovered in A.D. 690, is located in southern Honshu Japan. It is also known as the Grand Shrine of Ise. This magnificent building is a large tourist attraction, and has been denoted by the Japanese government as a national treasure. The term Shrine is a basic referral to a place where worship of different kinds takes place. It has been said that several million worshipers visit every year. Even though this is referring to only this specific Shrine, there are thousands of different types located across Japan. The Ise Shrine is considered to be an imperial shrine. However some of the other categories that they may fall into are Inari, Hachiman, Tenjin, Sengen, and those that are dedicated to the founders of powerful clans. Each group has its specific leaders and Gods that it usually follows.
Architectural Design
The architectural design of this shrine is quite interesting. It is reconstructed every twenty years to match the exact same structure as the previous one. The wood that is used in the rebuilding is none other than that of the surrounding forest. It is mainly composed of earth materials such as wood and thatch. It is considered to be traditional architecture with a timber frame. The style is based on more natural ideas of structure, than those of typical architecture. Its style is known as Shinmeizukuri.
Harmony with Nature
Something that is a very significance with this landmark is it’s harmony with nature. Just by the simple fact that when it is reconstructed every twenty years, it is done so with the wood coming from the surrounding forest. The forest is filled with cypress trees that were worshiped in earlier years. A specific tree was used in the cutting of a post that is still central to the Ise Shrine as of today.
Symbolism and Sacred Objects
Outside, inside, and around the shrine are many objects that have deeper meaning than what is present to the naked eye. Some of these objects are just for show, but you will find them outside all Japanese Shrines. A torri is a usually orange or black woken gate that lies at the entrance to the shrine. Komainu are a pair of dogs, lions, or foxes that guard the entrance of the shrines. There is also a purification trough in which you are to clean your hands and mouth before approaching the main hall. An ema is a wooden plat that pilgrims write their wishes for better things on to leave in the shrine in hopes of them coming true.
How it is used by Worshippers
As mentioned above, several million people come annually to worship at the Ise Shrine. It is home to the sacred mirror, which is one of the most holy sites in the country. There is a specific procedure that pilgrim worshipers must follow when visiting. One most first blow deeply twice, clap hands at the chest level, worship with hands together, then blow deeply twice again. There are two outer shrines as you enter the main one. However, due to the delicacy of the main shrines, only high ranking priests are allowed into this point.
Sources
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/ise-shrine
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html
http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=781
http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=974&catid=25&subcatid=168
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