Sengu of Ise Grand Shrine originated by Emperor Tenmu more than 1300 years ago has still kept performing every 20 years.
Visitors from all over the world can be counted as one of those who have supported Sengu.
Visitors to Ise Grand Shrine can wander further into the shrine under the benevolent watch of trees which are “much older” than people, and stand in front of the shrine buildings for deities.
And they can throw some coins into the wooden box, bow two times, and clap their hands 2 times.
Then, they can put their hands together, say silently to themselves what they hope or thank so as to be able to send their feelings, and bow again.
It is a common sight in Ise Grand Shrine today.
We can see the sight because Japan has been peaceful and people can visit freely to Ise Grand Shrine with their own motives.
Ise Grand Shrine will perform Sengu every 20 years in the future thanks to the supports of people from all walks of life.
The story of those who support Sengu will continue.
Incidentally, Emperor Tenmu who had left his name in the world of Shinto religion had also protected Buddhism heavily because he had once entered the priesthood.
Yakushi-ji registered as World Heritage Sites is the shrine that originally Emepror Tenmu had ordered to construct with aspirations for recovery from illness of his wife, Unonosarara.
Ironically, Emperor Tenmu had passed away before its completion though Unonosarara could have felt completely well.
Unonosarara had inherited throne from Emperor Tenmu as Empress Jito, and seen the completion of Yakushi-ji.
But still, Emperor Tenmu had been earned his place in Yakushiji as an originator.
Today, Yakushi-ji is registered as World Heritage Site.
Modern Buddhist monks spending their religious lives in Yakushiji has held annual ceremony for the death anniversary of Emperor Tenmu who had been dead for over 1300 years, and commemorated him.
In fact, the temple had been transferred from where it had been constructed in those days.
The beautiful buildings described as Dragon’s Palace (a place at the bottom of the sea where Dragon God is said to live in Japanese mythology) had experienced natural disasters, flames of war, and been burned to the ground in the past.
It had been thanks to the fruit of dedicated efforts by those who had lived each time for rebuilding.
And Yakushiji had won back its beautiful figure suited for the registration as World Heritage Site.
You can meet not only admirable pattern come from Greece, Persian, India, and China but also one of the records about rebuilding of Yakushiji, if you visit the temple.
It is true that Emperor Tenmu’s had originated Sengu of Ise Grand Shrine and Yakushiji.
However, it has kept them in great condition because there had been unknown people who had provided a constant support since then.
Thanks to those who hadn’t left their name, there is the happy journey to these sites called as sacred places.
When you would bring back memories of the drama of those who had supported the sacred places, surely it could be the spiritually rich journey for you.
