The island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima) is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine,

a Shinto shrine dedicated to the three daughters

of the Shinto deity Susano-o no Mikoto,

brother of the great sun deity, Amaterasu.

 The first shrine buildings were probably erected

in the 6th century, and the shrine has been destroyed many times. The present shrine dates from the mid-16th century, having been rebuilt in keeping with its earlier 12th century design.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The dramatic gate (torii) of Itsukushima Shrine

has existed since 1168, though the current gate dates back to 1875.

The gate only appears to be floating at high tide;

when the tide is low (like when I was there),

the gate is surrounded by mud and can be accessed

by foot from the island.

The purity of the shrine is so important that since 1878, no deaths or births were permitted at the island. To this day, burials on the island are still forbidden.

Miyajima, Hiroshima

Japan

May |  2009

for Shirley Hitomi Gushiken,

who would love this place