Suwa Shrine
Nagasaki Prefecture · Japan
Nagasaki became the territory of the Jesuit Church during the Sengoku period, and the three shrines of Suwa, Morisaki, and Sumiyoshi, which were once associated with Nagasaki City, were made Nagasaki's native gods in 1625.
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome, fellow seekers of knowledge, to this sanctuary of Shinto tradition. We are standing at a Suwa Shrine, one of over five thousand such locations scattered across the Japanese archipelago. …
Listen in the app2The Stone Torii and the Donor Markers — The Community's Hand
We begin at the main entrance, marked by a massive stone 'Torii' gate. In Shinto tradition, the Torii represents the boundary between the profane world we just left and the sacred ground of the kami. …
Listen in the app3The Dragon Fountain — The Ritual of Purification
Before we can approach the main hall, we must pause at the 'Chozuya,' or purification fountain. In Shinto, purity is paramount. …
Listen in the app4The Haiden and the Money Box — Communicating with the Kami
We now stand before the 'Haiden,' or the hall of worship. This is as close as most laypeople will get to the 'Honden,' the inner sanctum where the kami actually resides. …
Listen in the app5The Nichiro Senso Monument — A Record of Conflict
Tucked away in a corner of the grounds, we find a curious historical artifact: a monument related to the 'Nichiro Senso,' or the Russo-Japanese War of nineteen-oh-four. This conflict was a pivotal moment in Japanese history, as…
Listen in the app6The Ema and the Koshien Dream — Modern Supplications
Near the service window, where you can buy stamps and fortunes, you will find racks filled with small wooden plaques called 'Ema.' Historically, wealthy donors would give a horse to a shrine to gain favor from the gods. For those…
Listen in the app7The Turtle Pond — Symbols of Longevity
One of the most charming features of this Suwa Shrine is its turtle pond. You might see dozens of turtles sunning themselves on rocks or gliding through the water. …
Listen in the app8Closing Reflections — The Hidden Value of the Local Shrine
As we conclude our walk through Suwa Jinja, I hope you have felt the unique character of this 'hidden' shrine. We have explored the physical boundaries marked by the Torii, the rituals of purification at the dragon fountain, the…
Listen in the app9Closing
Our visit to Suwa Shrine comes to a close. We have traversed a landscape that is both a physical space and a spiritual map of the community. …
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What is Suwa Shrine?
Suwa Shrine is a place in Nagasaki Prefecture · Japan with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Nagasaki Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 9 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 32.7540, 129.8822 |
| Last updated |
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