Didn’t you feel as though you’d traveled back in time when you walked along the lantern-lined path to Kasuga Taisha? It is Nara’s most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as the capital. The shrine is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city.
Kasuga Taisha also served as the tutelary shrine. It was for the Fujiwara clan. This was Japan’s most powerful family clan during most of the Nara and Heian Periods.
The Kasuga Taisha was built in 768 CE for the Fujiwara family. It has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. The architectural style, Kasuga-zukuri, takes its name from Kasuga Shrine’s sanctuary. The Torii at Kasuga-taisha is one of the oldest in Shinto. It helped influence the style of Torii seen across much of Japan.
Legend says the shrine began when Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto arrived. He was a deity. He came from Kashima Shrine riding a white stag. In 768, the Fujiwara clan built shrines to worship the gods. The construction of Wakamiya Shrine in 1135 brought the number of deities to five.
Inside Kasuga Taisha, you can find many bronze lanterns. There are also many stone lanterns that lead up to the shrine. Over three thousand stone lanterns line the way to Kasuga Taisha. The lanterns have been donated by worshippers. The lanterns are only lit twice a year. This happens during the Lantern Festivals. One is in early February. The other is in mid-August. People write wishes on ema and attach them to the lanterns.
The four main kami enshrined here are Ame no koyane Himegami. Futsunushi no mikoto is enshrined here too. Takemikazuchi no mikoto completes the four. They are often grouped together. They are known as Kasuga Daimyojin. Kasuga Daimyojin is composed of five divine beings. Each consists of a Buddhist deity and Shinto kami counterpart.
Kasuga-taisha continues the tradition of shikinen zotai. This is the regular rebuilding of shrines. The tradition is based on the tokowaka concept of Shinto. Objects are renewed. This keeps their divine prestige in pursuit of eternity. Kasuga-taisha has been rebuilding its shrines every 20 years. This has been happening for more than 1000 years since the Nara period.
Kasuga Taisha and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” The path to Kasuga Shrine passes through a deer park. Deer roam freely in the park. They are believed to be sacred messengers of the Shinto gods. The Man’yo Botanical Garden is adjacent to the shrine. It displays about 250 kinds of plants described in the Manyoshu. A large part of the garden is dedicated to wisteria flowers. These usually bloom from late April to early May.
Kasuga Taisha is more than just a shrine. It is a testament to history. It embodies architectural beauty and spiritual significance. It is a place where nature and divinity intertwine. It offers a unique experience to every visitor.