Kasuga Taisha
Just some of my favourite pictures I've taken around Kasuga Taisha. Trying to keep the info-dumping to the minimum here, I just find this place so facinating it's difficult to help myself.
A handsome young fellow very politely asking for a shika senbei. His request was granted.
A deer by some stone lanterns. There are 2000 of these stone lanterns en route to the shrine, and another 1000 hanging bronze lanterns at the shrine, so 3000 together. The number is important, because Kasuga Taisha also has 3000 branch shrines all over Japan. The lanterns have been donated to the shrine over a very long period, so they are all different ages and have different designs. Many picture deer.
This bronze statue of the sacret deer is a very new addition, it only just went up in December 2023 to commemorate renovations at the Wakamiya Shrine (one of the auxillary shrines of the Kasuga Taisha that go through the same 20 year renovation cycle as the main shrine). In it's back the deer carries a sakaki tree and a mirror.
Even the chozuya is shaped like a deer.
The middle gate. The vermillion is brilliant against the green of the plant life. Behind this gate are the four sanctuaries for the four kami enshrined here.
The giant cedar tree is 800-1000 years old. You can also see the other smaller tree behind it, for which a hole has been made through the roof ot the building so it can continue to grow.
A few of the bronze lanterns.
A baby. Much too young and shy to want any crackers, it's best to keep your distance with these little ones as they are quite easily overwhelmed. Mom is usually close by, and will not hesitate to attack you if she thinks you are harassing her baby.