“Two snakes became the bridge.” This is how the legend of a similar bridge began. However, we are here at \u65b0\u52a0\u5e73\u6a4b. It is a bridge that may not have such a legend. Yet it still has a story to tell.
Let’s turn our attention to a stunning structure. The Shinkyo Bridge in Nikko is a vermilion-lacquered bridge. It is counted as one of Japan’s three finest bridges. \u65b0\u52a0\u5e73\u6a4b may not be as famous. But let’s use the Shinkyo Bridge as a mirror. Let’s imagine the stories a bridge can hold.
Shinkyo Bridge marks the entrance to Nikko’s shrines. These shrines include Futarasan Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, and Toshogu Shrine. The bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also an Important Cultural Property.
The Shinkyo Bridge spans the Daiya River. It measures 28 meters in length and 7.40 meters in width. The height above the gorge is 10.6 meters. The clear water adds to the beauty. The bridge is especially beautiful in autumn. The leaves turn yellow and red.
The Shinkyo Bridge has a rich history. Legend says that the monk Shodo Shoin prayed to cross the Daiya River in 766. The god Jinja-Daiou appeared. Two snakes transformed into a bridge. This is why it is also known as Yamasuge-no-Hebi-bashi. This means Snake Bridge of Mountain Sedge.
The current form of the Shinkyo Bridge dates back to 1636. Tokugawa Iemitsu ordered its construction. A flood in 1902 caused heavy damage. The bridge had to be rebuilt. Repairs finished two years later.
Until 1973, only important officials could cross the Shinkyo Bridge. These included generals and samurai. Common people had to use another bridge. Now, anyone can cross it for a small fee. Some believe crossing it brings good luck to couples.
The Shinkyo Bridge is near Rinnoji Temple in Nikko. It is a short bus ride from JR Nikko Station. The bridge is illuminated for three days at the end of October. This event attracts many visitors.
The Shinkyo Bridge is a recurring theme in woodblock prints. Artists like Tsukioka Yoshitoshi and Toyohara Chikanobu featured it.
Nikko Bridge offers the best views of Shinkyo Bridge. Many tourists take pictures there.
Each April, the Yayoi Matsuri takes place. The Mikoshi procession is held at Futarasan Shrine. In May, the Toshogu Shrine Grand Festival occurs. It includes horseback archery. A procession of 1000 warriors takes place. It re-enacts Tokugawa Ieyasu’s funeral. The Toshogu Shrine Autumn Festival repeats the May festival.
\u65b0\u52a0\u5e73\u6a4b, like the Shinkyo Bridge, connects places. It carries people over water or roads. It serves a practical purpose. But maybe it can be more than just that. Think of it as a link. It connects not just two points in space. It also links our present to the past. Bridges connect us to stories waiting to be told.