Nikko Toshogu Shrine

▶History
Nikko Toshogu Shrine was founded in 1617, in the 3rd year of the Genna era, to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, as its enshrined deity. Ieyasu was born on December 26, 1542, in the 11th year of the Tenbun era, at Okazaki Castle in Mikawa Province (present-day Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture). After overcoming many hardships from childhood and bringing peace to the warring states period, he established the feudal-bakuhan system. He also helped create order and organization in society, encouraged learning, promoted industry, laid the foundations for peace and culture throughout the 260 years of the Edo period, and made a great contribution to the development of modern Japan.

Ieyasu passed away at the age of 75 on April 17, 1616, in the 2nd year of the Genna era, at Sunpu Castle (present-day Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture), and was immediately enshrined by a Shinto funeral at Kunozan. According to his will, one year later, on April 15, 1617, in the 3rd year of the Genna era, he was moved from Kunozan to the present site and enshrined here. The main enshrinement ceremony was solemnly held on April 17 of the same year in the presence of the second shogun, Hidetada, as well as members of the court and military classes, and the shrine was established here as Toshosha. Later, in 1645, in the 2nd year of the Shoho era, it was granted the title of “Toshogu,” and came to be known as Nikko Toshogu.

The present main shrine buildings were rebuilt in 1636, in the 13th year of the Kanei era, by the third shogun, Iemitsu.

▶Annual Festivals and Events – Grand Annual Festival
The Grand Annual Festival is held over two days, on May 17 and 18. On May 17, starting at 10:00 a.m., the “Reitaisai” grand rite is held at the main shrine in the presence of the Tokugawa family, members of the parish association, and many guests. Then, from 1:00 p.m., the “Shinji Yabusame” horseback archery ritual, performed in the Ogasawara style, is dedicated at a special riding ground on the Omotesando approach. In the evening, three portable shrines are carried to Futarasan Shrine, and the “Yoinarisai” is performed by priests of both shrines.

On the following day, the 18th, starting at 11:00 a.m., the mikoshi procession festival known as the “Hyakumonozoroi Sennin Musha Gyoretsu” is held. Centered on the portable shrines, this procession proceeds to the otabisho with the participation of more than 1,200 people in 53 categories, including armored warriors. At the otabisho, a special offering of shinsen called “Sanbondate Nanajugozen” is presented, and the chief priest offers norito prayers, followed by Yaotome Kagura and Azuma-asobi performances. After the ritual concludes, the procession returns to Toshogu.

▶Overview of the Shrine Buildings – World Heritage
Most of the present shrine buildings were rebuilt in 1636, about 20 years after the enshrinement. The complex consists of 55 structures, including the Yomeimon Gate, a National Treasure. The construction cost amounted to 568,000 ryo in gold, 100 kanmon in silver, and 1,000 koku of rice (according to the “Register of Construction for Nikkozan Toshodaigongen”), and the overall chief administrator of the project was Akimoto Tajima-no-kami Yasutomo, while the chief master builder and head carpenter was Kor Bungo Munehiro. The entire complex was completed in just 1 year and 5 months.

A defining feature of the precincts is that the approach paths and stairways make use of the natural terrain, while the carefully balanced arrangement of the shrine buildings creates a solemn religious space. In addition, the buildings are decorated with lacquer and vivid polychrome, and the many carvings on pillars and other parts are not merely decorative but express forms of faith, scholarship, and thought.

These shrine buildings were registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in December 1999.

▶Major Heisei-era Restoration
The Showa-era major restoration of Toshogu, begun in April 1950, completed the main repairs to 40 designated structures with the conclusion of the second phase in March 1986. Thereafter, a third-phase project continued through fiscal 2002, focusing mainly on maintenance and aftercare.

Now, half a century has passed since the Showa restoration, and the main shrine buildings are once again reaching the stage where a fundamental long-term restoration is required, as exterior decorations deteriorate and wooden parts begin to decay.

In the third-phase work, long-term restoration, the second since the Showa restoration, had already begun in fiscal 1997 for buildings such as Kamijinko. From fiscal 2003, the project shifted into a fourth phase, in which the fundamental long-term restoration of Nakajinko was carried out as a transitional measure. From fiscal 2007, work finally began on important main shrine buildings, including the haiden, the east and west openwork fences, and the front karamon gate, and was completed in April 2013.

The long-term restoration, which in practice began in fiscal 1997, was carried over into the fourth phase. For the time being, the project is planned as the Heisei major restoration project for the next 22 years, through fiscal 2036, spanning the 400th memorial year of Ieyasu in fiscal 2015 and beyond. Under this long-term plan, repair work is scheduled, and from fiscal 2013, following the haiden, restoration of the honden and the inner sanctuary area was also initiated, along with the new commencement of work on Yomeimon Gate.

Fourth-phase restoration, “Heisei First Period, First Term” project (fiscal 2003 to fiscal 2006, one building: Nakajinko) has been completed.
Fourth-phase restoration, “Heisei First Period, Second Term” project (fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2012, six buildings: east and west openwork fences, front karamon gate, sasariko fence, mikoshi hall, inner sanctuary area and haiden) has now been completed.