Kasuga Taisha Shrine, with its unique atmosphere of deer on the approach to the shrine and numerous stone lanterns, is a popular tourist spot in Nara that is registered as a World Heritage Site.
Established on the grounds of Kofuku-ji Temple by the Fujiwara clan in the Nara period to protect Heijo-kyo, Kasuga Taisha Shrine flourished along with the prosperity of Kofuku-ji Temple.
In this article, we will introduce the history and highlights of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, explaining its deer, lanterns, and Shikinen Zotai (regular reconstruction).
#Kasuga Taisha #Cultural Assets of Ancient Nara #World Heritage
Table of Contents
0:00 Introduction
1:02 The origins and history of the founding of Kasuga Taisha
3:06 Why deer were considered sacred
6:11 Stone lanterns on the approach to the shrine, rainmaking, and the Kasuga Primeval Forest, the source of the water
8:43 South Gate, Main Hall, Apple Garden, Middle Gate, and Corridor (special visit)
10:43 Hanging lanterns donated by warlords of the Sengoku period and hanging lanterns in the East Corridor
12:17 Ukigumomine Worship Site, Osugi, Nejiro, Kazemiya Shrine, Nanakusa Yosegi, Rear Hall, and Hachirō Shrine
15:08 Fujinami-no-ya and Kasuga Mantoro, Naoai-den, Enomoto Shrine, and Sand-zuri Wisteria
17:11 Shikinen-reconstruction of Kasuga Taisha
20:17 Omamichi (the approach connecting Omiya and Wakamiya) lined with old stone lanterns
23:18 Wakamiya (Japan's oldest private place of prayer)
25:16 Tobihino (ancient site of worship overlooking Mt. Migasa) and Rokudo-tsuji
27:05 Himuro Shrine (a shrine that made ice from the clear streams of the Kasuga Primeval Forest and donated it to Heijo-kyo)