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inspiration & influence poetry

Poetry in the heart of Tokyo

June 21, 2014

Meiji Jingu

When in Japan recently, I visited Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine near Shibuya, dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and established in 1920. Surrounded by a forest of thousands of trees threaded through with peaceful streams, the shrine area is a sacred sanctuary in the heart of Tokyo.

Poetry is also at the heart of Meiji Jingu. Both Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken were poets, writing the traditional waka, Japanese poems of 31 syllables (5-7-5-7-5-7). The divine virtues of the Emperor and Empress are celebrated through their poetry.

Visitors can draw a poem from 20 specially selected poems, with English translation and explanation, from the “Omikuji” (poem drawing) box in front of the main shrine building. It is a special way of keeping the spirit of the Emperor and Empress alive in the shrine itself through their poetry.

OmikujiMy special poem:

‘Ever downwards water flows,

But mirrors lofty mountains;

How fitting that our heart also

Be humble, but reflect high aims.’

Empress Shoken –

 

Shinjuku Gyoen

More information about the shrine and the Waka poetry by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken can be found here: “About Meiji Jingu“.

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  • Cathy Rose June 29, 2014 at 1:19 am

    Oh my goodness, how lovely to find this in my inbox this morning. We are in the middle of a gray, cold start to summer. The rich green pulled me in and for some moments it was 2009 and I was in Tokyo with my dear brother who has now gone beyond.

    • terriv June 29, 2014 at 9:38 am

      So glad this post bought some positive thoughts and memories to you there. Tokyo has such restful places within it and easy to be transported!

  • Ellen July 11, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    lovely poem! So glad to see this~

    • terriv July 12, 2014 at 11:33 am

      Thank you and thanks for stopping by Ellen!

  • I blog | Transcending October 11, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    […] the symbols that keep recurring in your life that you are noticing, learning what sustains you, the travel to new places and what you feel there, thinking about how you can be more productive, the images that inspire you or the act of blogging […]

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