This is the most modern shrine I've ever seen!
And no wonder...after 700 years of standing here, the old Akagi Shrine was rebuilt into this brand new Agaki Shrine just last year. It's gorgeous...yet a part of me just can't take in all the glass walls and how shiny everything is. But if you look closely at the offering box, there is a poster showing you how you should pray, which is the same as many other shrines. At least that hasn't changed!
Monday was exactly one month since the March 11 earthquake. It feels like such a short period of time has passed since the initial earthquake, but at the same time, it feels like we've been feeling these tremors forever. I can't even begin to imagine what the victims of the tsunami in Tohoku were feeling during the moment of silence we held at 2:46 p.m. on that day.
But just as we put the month behind us, to step forward into another day closer to recovery, an aftershock, quite bigger than our usual tremors, hit Fukushima again, shaking the whole Tokyo area, too. It was as if Mother Nature couldn't stand to be forgotten.
All these aftershocks really make it harder for the areas that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami to move on. It has actually already slowed down the progress at the nuclear reactors in Fukushima, which upgraded its level of crisis to 7.
But I guess we really can't do anything to sway Mother Nature. All we can do is take it one day at a time.
PS: Not wanting to end on a somber note...just letting you know I've got good new (for me, that is...) coming up tomorrow! :-)
Ooh, Kagurazaka. Did you spot any geisha?
ReplyDeleteI agree about all that glass. It looks like it is part of a department store showcase.
Does that good new (new->news) mean that before long you will be listening to a certain Mendelssohn march? With viola, of course.
One day at a time is right, Kaori. I agree with you there is something curios about a new shrine... but stop to think about it, every shrine was new at one time! Coming back for good news tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteA short walk up the lane to the new shrine (YouTube: 3 minutes): and I finally got it (until I forget again). Shake rope, bow twice, pray, and bow once. That second couple looked like they knew what they were doing.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if, 200 years from now, what people will think of this now-modern shrine and other architecture of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Will they look at it in the same way we look back on the traditional shrines, with admiration? Only time will tell. Anyway, nice capture.
ReplyDeleteA universe on its own.
ReplyDeletePlease have you all a good Thursday, taking good care of you.
Speaking of Greek-inspired Ionic columns, and we were here, the same architect that designed this 1989-1991 M2 Building designed this new shrine building and apartment complex: who is Kengo Kuma. His slide show here.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful, new, fresh shrine but it has lost the character and history of an old, weathered one.
ReplyDeleteI anxious to read you exciting news tomorrow.....
It's almost odd to see such a modern shrine, but it's quite nice. I want to hear your news! The last time you did this to us, you moved!
ReplyDeleteすごいね～この神社！ガラス張りだなんて～！斬新だね～！美しい！
ReplyDelete本当、この１ヶ月はものすごく短く感じたなぁ。いっぽうで被災地の方々はどう感じてらっしゃるだろうね。あっという間の１ヶ月か、長い１ヶ月か。。。
本当！かおりの言うとおり一日一日を大切に、もう二度とやってこないこの素晴らしい
”今日”をフルに生きて行こうね♪
You mentioned on April 7th, here, that the fisherman was along the banks of the old castle outer moat. A ten minute’s walk from Akagi Shrine down Waseda Street we can get another “now” and “then” view of a castle bridge crossing the outer moat here. The image enlarges if you click on it. Or you can see the modern view via Google maps here; and the Edo-Period view via a Hiroshige woodblock print here.
ReplyDeleteModern but in a quite nice way...
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty in its own way. I find it interesting they give instructions on how to pray. That just strikes me as sort of funny. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a lot fond memories of Japanese shrines :)
ReplyDeletemodern or not, the place looks solemn and peaceful. ^-^
ReplyDelete