Could it be that you’re searching for serenity? Let me tell you about Ohsu Shrine. It’s more than just a place. It is a piece of history. Although the knowledge about Ohsu Shrine is limited, let us use what we have.
The Ueno Tōshō-gū Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Tokyo. It offers insights into Shinto architecture. This type of shrine often enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was known as Tōshō Daigongen. Ueno Tōshō-gū also honors Tokugawa Yoshimune and Tokugawa Yoshinobu.
Ueno Tōshō-gū is located in Ueno Park. It has become a popular attraction. It is said that Tōdō Takatora built Ueno Tōshō-gū in 1627. It honored Tokugawa Ieyasu. He founded the Tokugawa shogunate. This shogunate ruled Japan effectively from 1600 to 1868.
In 1651 Tokugawa Iemitsu rebuilt the shrine’s honden. He was Ieyasu’s grandson and the third Tokugawa shōgun. Ueno Tōshō-gū was part of the Tendai Buddhist temple Kan’ei-ji until 1868. The shrine remained intact through earthquakes, fires, and wars. This includes the Battle of Ueno in 1868 and the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923.
The karamon at Ueno Tōshō-gū was built in 1651. It is an Important Cultural Property. The gate’s pillars feature two carved dragons. They are called Noboriryu and Kudariryu. Legend says they drink from Shinobazu Pond every night. The carvings are attributed to Hidari Jingorō. He is also credited with work at Nikkō Tōshō-gū. The karamon has gold foil and hand-carved decorations. These include flowers, birds, and dragons. Over two hundred plant and animal species are depicted on the gate and sukibei wall.
The main building is a honden in the Gongen-zukuri style. This structure connects the haiden, heiden, and honden under one roof. The entire building dates back to 1651. It is an Important Cultural Property.
There is no admission fee to enter most of the shrine. However, there’s a fee to go beyond the karamon. This lets you see the back of the karamon and get closer to the honden. The hall itself remains closed. There is an extra fee to enter the peony garden.
The shrines opens at 9 am. It closes at 4:30 pm from October to February. From March to September, it closes at 5:30 pm. The peony garden is open from January 1st to mid-February and from mid-April to mid-May. Ueno Tōshō-gū is accessible via Ueno Station and Keisei Ueno Station.
While Ohsu Shrine may not have the vast history of some other sites, its connection to Ueno Tōshō-gū links it to significant cultural and architectural heritage.