Shinto shrineA Shinto shrine (神社, jinja; archaic: shinsha, meaning: 'kami shrine') is a structure whose main purpose is to house ("enshrine") one or more kami, the deities of the Shinto religion. The main hall (本殿, honden) is where a shrine's patron kami is or are enshrined.
Inari shrineAn Inari shrine (稲荷神社, Inari jinja) is a type of Japanese shrine used to worship the kamiInari. Inari is a popular deity associated with foxes, rice, household wellbeing, business prosperity, and general prosperity. Inari shrines are typically constructed of white stucco walls with red-lacquered woodwork, and their entrances are marked by vermiliontorii. Both Buddhist and Shinto Inari shrines are located throughout Japan.
Fushimi Inari-taishaFushimi Inari-taisha (Japanese: 伏見稲荷大社) is the head shrine of the kamiInari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The shrine sits at the base of a mountain, also named Inari, which is 233 metres (764 ft) above sea level, and includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines which span 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) and take approximately 2 hours to walk up. It is unclear whether the mountain's name, Inariyama, or the shrine's name came first.
Hachiman shrineA Hachiman shrine (八幡神社, Hachiman Jinja; also Hachimangū (八幡宮)) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kamiHachiman. It is the second most numerous type of Shinto shrine after those dedicated to Inari Ōkami (see Inari shrine). There are about 44,000 Hachiman shrines. Originally the name 八幡 was read Yawata or Yahata, a reading still used in some cases. Many towns and cities incorporating the names Hachiman, Yawata or Yahata grew around these shrines.
Culture of JapanRepresentative elements of Japanese cultureTop：Ukiyo-e (Fine Wind, Clear Morning, Rukujogosho hanami),Rising Sun FlagSecond left：The Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kōtoku-inSecond center：The Torii and Rōmon of Fushimi Inari-taishaSecond right：The Body armor and Kabuto in Edo periodThird left：Hinamatsuri (Girl's dolls day of Peach festival)Third center：Byōdō-in (Wayō architectural style of Heian period)Third right：Osechi (Bento boxes of New Year)Bottom：Geisha, Zen garden, Ikebana, TeaismJapanese culture has changed greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period, to its contemporary modern culture, which absorbs influences from Asia and other regions of the world.
KamiKami (Japanese: ; ) are the deities, divinities, spirits, and mythological, spiritual, or natural phenomena that are venerated in the traditional Shinto religion of Japan. Kami can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, beings and the qualities that these beings express, as well as the spirits of venerated dead people.
Japanese languageJaponic languageJapanese (日本語, Nihongo; ) is the principal language of the Japonic language family spoken by the Japanese people. It has around 123 million speakers, primarily in Japan, the only country where it is the national language, and within the Japanese diaspora worldwide. The Japonic family also includes the Ryukyuan languages and the variously classified Hachijō language.
LintelA lintel or lintol is a type of beam (a horizontal structural element) that spans openings such as portals, doors, windows and fireplaces. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented/structural item. In the case of windows, the bottom span is referred to as a sill, but, unlike a lintel, does not serve to bear a load to ensure the integrity of the wall.
KyotoKyoto ( or ; Japanese: 京都, Kyōto [kʲoꜜːto] ), officially Kyoto City (京都市, Kyōto-shi; [kʲoːtoꜜɕi] ), is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. As of 2020, the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it the ninth-most populous city in Japan. More than half (56.8%) of Kyoto Prefecture's population resides in the city.
Yamanashi PrefectureYamanashi Prefecture (山梨県, Yamanashi-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu. Yamanashi Prefecture has a population of 787,592 (1 February 2025) and has a geographic area of 4,465 km (1,724 sq mi). Yamanashi Prefecture borders Saitama Prefecture to the northeast, Nagano Prefecture to the northwest, Shizuoka Prefecture to the southwest, Kanagawa Prefecture to the southeast, and Tokyo to the east.
Yamagata PrefectureYamagata Prefecture (山形県, Yamagata-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. It has a population of 1,005,926 (1 February 2025) and an area of 9,325 km (3,600 sq mi). Its neighbours are Akita Prefecture to the north, Miyagi Prefecture to the east, Fukushima Prefecture to the south, and Niigata Prefecture to the southwest. The capital and largest city is Yamagata, with other major cities being Tsuruoka, Sakata and Yonezawa.
Heian periodThe domain of notable clans in Japan (1183)LocationJapanLeadersEmperor Kanmu (781–806)Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (858–872)Fujiwara no Morozane (1075–1086)Emperor Antoku (1180-1185)Key eventsFujiwara clan rule starts (858)Fujiwara clan overthrown (1068)Taira no Kiyomori seizes power (1156)Battle of Dan-no-ura (1185)
VermilionVermilion (sometimes spelled vermillion) is a color family and toxic pigment most often used between antiquity and the 19th century and made from the powdered mineral cinnabar (a form of mercury sulfide). It is synonymous with red orange. Etymology and common name"Vermilion" is attested as a color name in English in 1289. It comes from Old Frenchvermeillon, derived from vermeil, from Latinvermiculus – the diminutive of vermis 'worm'.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.