The Ise Jingu consists of two shrines: the Outer Shrine (Geku), which is dedicated to Toyouke, the Shinto deity of clothing, food and housing, and the Inner Shrine (Naiku), which enshrines the most venerated deity Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. They are Shinto's most sacred shrines.
Naiku and Geku are located several kilometers apart from each other at the foot of densely wooded hills. Unlike most other Shinto shrines, the Ise Shrines are built in a purely Japanese architecture style which shows no influence from the Asian mainland. Naiku is believed to have been established in the 3rd century and Geku in the 5th century.
Outside the Outer Shrine's main sanctuary
The shrines fascinate through their pure simplicity. There is nothing but green trees, broad gravel lanes and the wooden, barely painted shrine structures. Because the Ise Shrines are so sacred, no pictures may be taken near their main halls, a task that would be difficult anyway, as the view of the innermost buildings is partially obstructed by a set of wooden fences.
The Naiku and Geku are both rebuilt every 20 years according to an ancient Shinto tradition. For that matter, an empty lot is located besides every shrine building as the site for its next rebuilding. Ise Shrine's 62nd rebuilding is currently taking place and will be completed in 2013.
Auxiliary shrine at the Outer Shrine (Geku)
The 62nd Rebuilding of the Shrines
The new shrine buildings are currently being constructed on the lots beside the current ones - covered up by scaffolding. Once the new buildings are completed, visitors will be able to visit the old and new buildings for a short period of time before the old buildings are dismantled. Various ceremonies and festivals are accompanying the shrines' rebuilding. They started as early as 2005 and will culminate in the transfer of the deities from their old into their new homes in 2013.
The Sengukan Museum was opened in spring 2012 at the entrance of the Outer Shrine (Geku) for visitors to learn more about the shrines' rebuilding. The museum's outstanding exhibits include a fourth of a 1:1 replica of the shrine's main building as well as a beautiful 1:20 model of the main sanctuary. A pamphlet provides the only information in English, making it somewhat difficult to fully appreciate all the exhibits for visitors without Japanese reading skills.
Sengukan Museum
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