Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara

“Kasuga Taisha Shrine” in Nara is the grand head shrine of Kasuga Shrine with about 1000 shrines in Japan. Here, “ujigami” (guardian god) of the Fujiwara family who has a brilliant achievement in the history of Japan is enshrined. It was built in the Nara era in the hope that the people will prosper, protecting Heijo-kyo (the ancient capital in the eighth century located in Nara City). It is transmitted that Fujiwara no Nagate made four shrines at the foot of Mt. Mikasa in 768 that it is the beginning of Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
It is popular not only in Japan but also overseas, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Kasugayama primitive forest were registered as World Heritage as “cultural property of ancient Nara” in 1998.
Also, the Kasuga Festival (Kasuga no Matsuri), an annual festival of the Kasuga Taisha Shrine that began in the early Heian era, will take place on March 31 every year. It is a ritual of the shrine where the emperor ‘s imperiale (messenger) is dispatched and executed. The Kasuga Festival, a reisai (regular festival) of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, was one of the sanchokusai (three great festivals designated by the Imperial Court) along with Kamo-jinja Shrine’s Aoi-Matsuri Festival and Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine’s Iwashimizu-Sai Festival.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine also has a legend that god came down to Mt. Mikasa on a deer and still deers are considered to be a messenger of God. So, let’s cherish deer at Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
The time which Kasuga Taisha is open is from 6:00 to 18:00 in summer seasonal time (from April to September), from 6:30 to 17:00 in winter time (October to March) is. Because time may go back and forth depending on the festival of the shrine side, the admission may be canceled, so let’s check in advance in case of sightseeing.
You can expect many benefits at Kasuga Taisha. Married ceremony, domestic safety, prosperity of descendants, prolonging longevity, upgrading money fortune good luck. Benefits are abundant besides those. There are many types of lucky charm as much as to have fun to choose.

A deer is considered the sacred messenger from the deities

Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a shrine built in 768 to pray for the protection of Heijyo-Kyo and the prosperity of the people. It has enshrined Fujiwara’s god who was settled in the western foot of Mt. Mikasa, following the primitive forest of Mt. Kasuga. It is the total head office of “Kasuga-jinja Shrine” which has about 1,000 companies nationwide.
A deer is considered the sacred messenger from the deities as it has been believed that God came to the ground of Nara by riding a white deer.

The big red torii gate

When walking along the approach road, you can see the big red torii gate. This is Ni – no – Torii (second torii) of Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
There are two torii at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, another Ichi – no – Torii (first torii) is far away and it is near the Nara National Museum.

The crafts of Heian era grace

The collection of 3,000 or more points is kept by the treasure house including 520 national treasures and important cultural properties. You can see the crafts of Heian era grace, such as “Makie no Koto” (Japanese harp with lacquer ware), “Kurourushi Hyomon no Kazaritachi” (Japanese sword with lacquer ware), Important cultural property “Akikusa Makie Tebako” (Box with lacquer ware).

Based on Japanese unique faith

“Shikinen Zotai” (regular reconstruction), which is held once in 20 years, is to rebuild the Shrine and treasures to be paid in the palace and repair it. This is done based on Japanese unique faith. It is because this ceremony has been held that the precincts of about 1 million square meters registered in the World Heritage Site are kept as it was at the time of construction and the benefits from god are brought.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

In 1998, Kasuga Taisha Shrine was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a shrine that constitutes “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”. “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara” consists of seven temples as Todaiji Tmple, Kofukuji Temple, Gangoji Temple, Yakushiji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, The former Heijo-kyu Palace site, and Kasugayama Primeval Forest including the Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

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