May 16th,2018
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Mitsumine shrine, located in the mountain areas of Chichibu 1100m above sea level, is known to be a "Power-spot", places with spiritual energy, with the strongest power in the Kanto area. It is also famous for the white "Ki" charm distributed only on the first day of the month. "Ki(氣)" are spiritual powers. The "Ki" charm of other colors are distributed everyday. White is a color of regeneration and also means a new start. So the white "Ki" charm is only distributed on the first day, which is the start of a new month. The distribution of the "Ki" charm started in 2013, and it became a hot topic that a famous figure skater received good luck keeping it. Every month many people visit Mitsumine shrine to get this special charm.
A visit to Mitsumine shrine to feel the spiritual energies of the mountains, and to receive the white "Ki" charm.
It is still 7AM but a long traffic jam leading to Mitsumine shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
You can see the mountains of Chichibu.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
2 hours have passed but still not there yet.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Waited 2 and a half hours and finally at the parking lot of Mitsumine shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Walking from the parking lot to the shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The entrance of Mitsumine shrine. The torii is a "Mitsu-torii", a very rare style of torii which is like 3 toriis combined.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "shingaku" carrying the name of the shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Since wolves are the guardians of Mitsumine shrine, statues of wolves can be seen instead of a "Komainu" commonly seen in shrines.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The card necessary to receive the white "Ki" charm. It is given out in front of the torii.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The path starting from the torii leading to the main part of the shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Many stone monuments are placed by the path.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Looking back at the torii.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
What used to be a police box currently used as a shed.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Passing by the former-police box, there is a crossroads. To the right is a stairway that leads to the "Youhaiden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
To the left is the path that leads to the shrine and the "Zuishinmon".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "Zuishinmon" gate was built in 1792. It originally was a "Nioumon", a gate which has a pair of statues of "Niou", but these statues were removed during the separation of Shinto from Buddhism in the Meiji era. The original gate was built in 1691 and is told that it was in front of the "Haiden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The sign of the shrine in front of the "Zuishinmon".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
A pair of wolves sit on both sides of the "Zuishinmon".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Beautiful sculptures cover the "Zuishinmon".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Looking back at the "Zuishinmon".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Snow still remains and is very cold.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Finally the shrine is in sight.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Stairs leading to the main part of the shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The torii is called "Seido-torii" meaning bronze torii. It was built in 1845.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "shingaku" that the "Seido-torii" carries.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Next to "Seido-torii" there is a "chozuya", where you purify your self. The "Chozuya" is covered with beautiful sculptures too.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Waiting in line to get to the "Haiden", the worship hall.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Large "goshimboku"s, sacred trees stand on both sides of the stairs leading to the "Haiden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Finally at the "Haiden" and worshipping.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
On the left side of the "Haiden", there is a part of the stone paving which has a pattern looking like a dragon. This dragon suddenly appeared on the year of 2012 which was a year of the dragon in the Oriental Zodiac.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "Haiden" covered with beautiful sculptures. It was built in 1800.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Getting in line after worshipping to receive the white "Ki" charm.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Finally received the white "Ki" charm.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The white "Ki" charm is inside a wooden box. Each person can receive only one.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
White is said to be the color of sunlight or to be a color of sanctity and purity. White is also a color of regeneration.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "Goshuin" of Mitsumine shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "Haiden" and the "Goshimboku"s.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Each "Goshimboku" can be touched and there is a long line to do so.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Getting powers from the "Goshimboku".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "Goshimboku" on the other side. There is a long line here too.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Looking up at the "Goshimboku".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "Chozuya" in front of the "Haiden". Usually at a "Chozuya" you use water to purify yourself but durring the winter water can freeze damaging the pipes. So you use a "haraegushi",a wooden wand used in Shinto rituals, instead.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Looking down at the "Seido-torii" from the "Haiden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "Soreisha" is where the ancestor spirits are enshrined. Next to it the "Honden", main shrine which is behind the "Haiden" can be seen.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
23 "Sessha"s and "Massha"s, branch shrines, stand on the right side of the "Honden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Kunitokotachi shrine which enshrines "Kuninotokotachi", one of the primordial gods of the Universe.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Yamato Takeru shrine which enshrines Yamato Takeru. Yamato Takeru is said to be the founder of Mitsumine shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Ise shrine which enshrines "Amaterasu-omikami" and "Toyouke-omikami", the same gods enshrined in Ise Grand Shrine in Mie.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Many "Massha"s.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Some of the "Massha"s are a little large as this "Toshogu".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Going back to the "Haiden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
In front of the "Haiden" there is a "Yatsumune-toro", a light tower built in 1857. Usually this kind of light tower is made by metal or stone but this one is made by wood which makes it rare.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Starting to get back after finishing worshipping and getting the white "Ki" charm. A long line can be seen under the "Seido-torii".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Looking back at the "Seido-torii" and the "Haiden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Walking back. The line to the main part of the shrine has got very long.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Approaching the "Zuishinmon" but the start of the line cannot be seen.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The line to worship starts from in front of the "Zuishinmon".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
In front of the "Zuishinmon" there is another path that leads to the statue of Yamato Takeru.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Going up the stairs. Some parts are slippery because of the snow.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The statue of Yamato Takeru can be seen on top of the hill.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Some stone memorials are placed on the side of the stairs.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Going up the stairs and looking down, the "Zuishinmon" can be seen.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The statue of Yamato Takeru on the top of the long stairway. He is said to be the founder of Mitsumine shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Going up the other stairway in front of the "Zuishinmon", which leads to the "Youhaiden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Going under the torii on top of the stairs there is the "Youhaiden".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The "Youhaiden" is a place to "youhai", worship from distance, the "Okumiya" located on Mount Myohogatake. "Okumiya" is a rear shrine.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
If the weather is fine you can see Mount Myohogatake where the "Okumiya" is.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The torii in front of the "Youhaiden". Both sides of this torii are the "front side" since the original route, which is a mountain trail, to the Mitsumine shrine leads to the path next to the "Youhaiden", and this torii will be the entrance to those who came from this route.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
A pair of wolves can be seen here too.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The other statue of a wolf.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
There is still a long line of worshippers.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Starting to snow and heading back. Looking back at the "Zuishinmon".
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Going down the path.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Back at the torii at the entrance.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Looking back at the torii.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The sign of Mitsumine shrine in front of the torii.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
The card necessary to get the white "Ki" charm is given out here.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
"Morokoshi-manju" sold near the shop near the torii. It is a a local specialty.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Looking down at the parking lot. The weather is turning bad.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Driving back to the main parts of Chichibu city, where you should visit is the icicles of Misotsuchi which can only be seen during the winter.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
200yen are required but you can get down to the river and can see the icicles up close.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
These icicles are made from water springing from the rocks. Some are made by man by pouring water.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Getting very cold, and leaving the icicles
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
After enjoying the icicles, getting warm by the fire at the rest area.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
Eating "Miso-potato" by the fire. "Miso-potato" is a steamed and fried potato eaten with miso. It is a local specialty too.
Feb.1st,2018
Chichibu,Saitama
