Crap I am so far behind!
Sorrry!!! Updating pictures is hard! (By hard I mean it takes so long)
This was my first field trip with out culture class. We went to the Zojoji Shrine.
This is in the way there, this was smack in the middle of the street!
It's right at the base of Tokyo Tower, where I still haven't been! I suck!
The first building you see, the main building.
To the left...
To the right...
The first place we went there...
This is where the souls of deceased children (very young children) are enshrined.
They are called "mizuko"
I am so awesome! Look! I have videos for you!
Each statue represents one child. Family members etc. Come and clean and decorate the statues from time to time.
Not exactly sure, but I think you burn incense here for the departed.
Inside you buy things for graves, but I can't remember what for.
One part of the temple, with the Tokugawa family crest all over it.
Wish plaques people have made and tied to this small structure.
Papers with wishes are tied to another structure. The only difference I know is is that wooden plaques are more expensive than papers.
A far away view of all the 'mizuko' statues.
I think it's so interesting that all these places are in the middle of cities.
Close up of one. You can buy the hats and bibs at the temple.
Some are different colors, either from age or some other reason.
Another part of the shrine
A picture of the giant bell/gong you can hit with the big rope to make a wish (once you have offered money)
Other shots around the outside
The Tokugawa family crest
Inside the one biulding, where you buy the plaques and things for the statues, as well as other souvineirs, there was a giant golden chandelier thing surrounding a cool buhdda statue.
It was dark in there so it was hard to get good shots.
Back outside, there's Tokyo Tower reminding you you're in a city.
Another building, I beleive this is only for use during funeral etc.
In the back is where graves are kept, in a well kept garden like area.
That is the tomb of an important person/clan etc. I know it isn't tokugawa, because they're tombs are in an area that you cannot visit. I took spy photos later. :D
These are what Japanese 'tombstones' are like. Our teacher told us what the sticks mean, but I can't remember.
Family members clean and keep up the graves periodically, and often leave flowers or burn incense.
The spy photos!!! Thanks to my cameras awesome zoom, I took pictures of sacred tombs!
Peeking through bushes! Yay! MY ZOOM IS AWESOME.
No one is allowed in except the imperial family I think.
These were growing around the tmb area.
Carson really likes her zoom.
The pathway leading away from the grave area. I didn't spend that much time in the back there because there was some kind of mentally impaired grounds keeper who kept asking me if I had a baby, and calling me a cute mama in Japanese. (Because of all the toy like things I have, like my teddy bear backpack) So it was nice and akward.
He was having a grand time of it, so I guess theres no harm in letting him think I was some kind of mommy? I have no idea. I left.
Rock with stuff I can't read on it! I'm sure it has signifigance, but I don't know it.
Statues that i'm sure have some kind of signifigance, but I have no idea what. I think they are 'kami' (gods) who are close to enlightenment (like Buhdda) but have not reached it.
A gate to an area we can't go in, I think thats what I took spy photos of.
ZOOM of the door :D
Ok, ofter that we went inside and listened to some Bhuddist chanting, and a ceremony.
Afterwards, it was dark, but I took advantage of the twighlight for more photos!
No, I don't know what this statue is, but you bet I took pictures of it!
Ok, in closing I would like to show you again how awesome my zoom is.
Ok, after a million pictures of the tower again, I stole some more shots on the way out as they closed.
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This was my first field trip with out culture class. We went to the Zojoji Shrine.
This is in the way there, this was smack in the middle of the street!
It's right at the base of Tokyo Tower, where I still haven't been! I suck!
The first building you see, the main building.
To the left...
To the right...
The first place we went there...
This is where the souls of deceased children (very young children) are enshrined.
They are called "mizuko"
I am so awesome! Look! I have videos for you!
Each statue represents one child. Family members etc. Come and clean and decorate the statues from time to time.
Not exactly sure, but I think you burn incense here for the departed.
Inside you buy things for graves, but I can't remember what for.
One part of the temple, with the Tokugawa family crest all over it.
Wish plaques people have made and tied to this small structure.
Papers with wishes are tied to another structure. The only difference I know is is that wooden plaques are more expensive than papers.
A far away view of all the 'mizuko' statues.
I think it's so interesting that all these places are in the middle of cities.
Close up of one. You can buy the hats and bibs at the temple.
Some are different colors, either from age or some other reason.
Another part of the shrine
A picture of the giant bell/gong you can hit with the big rope to make a wish (once you have offered money)
Other shots around the outside
The Tokugawa family crest
Inside the one biulding, where you buy the plaques and things for the statues, as well as other souvineirs, there was a giant golden chandelier thing surrounding a cool buhdda statue.
It was dark in there so it was hard to get good shots.
Back outside, there's Tokyo Tower reminding you you're in a city.
Another building, I beleive this is only for use during funeral etc.
In the back is where graves are kept, in a well kept garden like area.
That is the tomb of an important person/clan etc. I know it isn't tokugawa, because they're tombs are in an area that you cannot visit. I took spy photos later. :D
These are what Japanese 'tombstones' are like. Our teacher told us what the sticks mean, but I can't remember.
Family members clean and keep up the graves periodically, and often leave flowers or burn incense.
The spy photos!!! Thanks to my cameras awesome zoom, I took pictures of sacred tombs!
Peeking through bushes! Yay! MY ZOOM IS AWESOME.
No one is allowed in except the imperial family I think.
These were growing around the tmb area.
Carson really likes her zoom.
The pathway leading away from the grave area. I didn't spend that much time in the back there because there was some kind of mentally impaired grounds keeper who kept asking me if I had a baby, and calling me a cute mama in Japanese. (Because of all the toy like things I have, like my teddy bear backpack) So it was nice and akward.
He was having a grand time of it, so I guess theres no harm in letting him think I was some kind of mommy? I have no idea. I left.
Rock with stuff I can't read on it! I'm sure it has signifigance, but I don't know it.
Statues that i'm sure have some kind of signifigance, but I have no idea what. I think they are 'kami' (gods) who are close to enlightenment (like Buhdda) but have not reached it.
A gate to an area we can't go in, I think thats what I took spy photos of.
ZOOM of the door :D
Ok, ofter that we went inside and listened to some Bhuddist chanting, and a ceremony.
Afterwards, it was dark, but I took advantage of the twighlight for more photos!
No, I don't know what this statue is, but you bet I took pictures of it!
Ok, in closing I would like to show you again how awesome my zoom is.
Ok, after a million pictures of the tower again, I stole some more shots on the way out as they closed.