Kasuga Taisha

The main shrine of Kasuga Taisha was built in 768 at the foot of the sacred Mount Mikasa by order of Empress Shotoku. According to the official site, the deities enshrined are Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, Futsunushi no Mikoto, Amenokoyane no Mikoto and Himegami. It is the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara clan, and many nobles worshipped here and presented offerings. The Kasuga Matsuri on March 13 has continued for over 1,200 years, and an imperial envoy still comes from the court to read a prayer for the safety of the nation. The Wakamiya shrine was founded on its present site in 1135, and the Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri on December 17, held every year since the following year, is designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

The National Treasure main shrine consists of four halls, the First through the Fourth, standing eave to eave and of nearly the same size. They are in the Kasuga-zukuri style: a gabled, entrance-on-the-gable-end shrine with a lean-to roof added to the front. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes this as the most formal example of the style, with great value in architectural history. The present buildings date from 1863. Kasuga Taisha has repeatedly renewed its buildings in the Shikinen Zotai rite, held roughly every twenty years, and the official site says it has been done sixty times. As a result, the old form has been preserved, and the style from the late Nara or early Heian period remains well kept. The vermilion color is also maintained through these renewals.

Before entering the grounds, take note of the surroundings. Mount Mikasa and Mount Kasuga are sacred mountains, and in the Heian period an edict forbade hunting and logging there, so the primeval forest remains today. The Kasugayama Primeval Forest is a Special Natural Monument. According to the tradition that the deity came to Mikasa from Hitachi Province riding a white deer in the Nara period, deer have been treated as the deity's messengers. The grounds hold about 3,000 lanterns, offered since the Heian period, and the official site says nearly 70 percent of the Muromachi-period lanterns remaining in Japan are here.

The shrine is closely tied in history to Kofuku-ji. In the Heian period Kofuku-ji took control of Kasuga Shrine, and the 1595 land survey fixed a single holding for "Kasuga Shrine and Kofuku-ji." Seeing the pagodas and halls of Kofuku-ji before or after your visit lets you feel how the two prospered as one power. The shrine's Treasure Museum holds about 3,000 items offered by emperors and nobles and is called the "Shosoin of the Heian period." A special admission to the inner side of the cloister lets you walk past its hanging lanterns to the front of the Chumon (Middle Gate). Entry may not be allowed during ceremonies or events, so check the official site for hours and closed days.