{"id":77315,"date":"2021-04-17T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-17T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=77315"},"modified":"2023-05-09T17:46:06","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T08:46:06","slug":"difference-temple-shrine-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/difference-temple-shrine-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"The Difference Between Temples and Shrines in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There are two majority religions in Japan,<strong> Shinto and Buddhism,<\/strong> which are part of Japanese people&#8217;s daily lives.  <strong>Religion and spirituality having a significant place in Japanese society. <\/strong>We can feel it through <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/nebuta-festival-aomori\/\" class=\"ek-link\">the many matsuri<\/a> (festivals that are linked to many aspects of Japanese culture, usually religion) or the various public holidays that punctuate the year or even cities&#8217; layout<\/strong>. No matter where you are, whether in a quiet neighborhood in the countryside or downtown Tokyo, you will never be far from a Temple or a Shrine, whether grand or small.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15191653\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-3853-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"A Tengu statue in Mount Takao near Tokyo\" class=\"wp-image-77317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15191653\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-3853-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15191653\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-3853-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15191653\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-3853-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15191653\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-3853.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Tengu statue in Mount Takao near Tokyo. Photo: Joachim Ducos  <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>However, many tourists come to Japan without knowing the complexity and the importance of religion in the Japanese archipelago. After reading this article, you will be able to <strong>make the difference between temples and shrines <\/strong>and will have learned some notions related to these beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ht-block-toc  is-style-outline htoc htoc--position-wide toc-list-style-plain\" data-htoc-state=\"expanded\"><span class=\"htoc__title\"><span class=\"ht_toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/span><span class=\"htoc__toggle\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\"><g fill=\"#444\"><path d=\"M15 7H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1z\"><\/path><path d=\"M15 1H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1zM15 13H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/span><div class=\"htoc__itemswrap\"><ul class=\"ht_toc_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-shinto-and-buddhism-the-two-major-religions-in-japan\">Shinto and Buddhism: The Two Major Religions in Japan <\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-how-to-recognize-a-shrine\">How to recognize a Shrine?<\/a><ul class=\"ht_toc_child_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-a-torii-gate-is-at-the-entrance-of-shrines\">A Torii Gate is at the Entrance of Shrines<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-the-haiden-place-of-offering-in-shrines\">The Haiden, place of offering in Shrines<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-shimenawa-and-shide-entry-into-the-realm-of-gods\">Shimenawa and Shide: Entry into the Realm of Gods<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-komainu-the-lion-dog-guardians-at-japanese-shrines\">Komainu: The Lion-Dog Guardians at Japanese Shrines<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-the-priests-living-in-shrines\">The Priests Living in Shrines<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-how-to-recognize-a-temple-in-japan\">How to Recognize a Temple in Japan?<\/a><ul class=\"ht_toc_child_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-manji-the-most-important-religious-symbol-of-buddhism\">Manji: The Most Important Religious Symbol of Buddhism<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-r-mon-and-s-mon-the-main-gates-of-japanese-temples\">R\u014dmon and S\u014dmon: The Main Gates of Japanese Temples<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-bonsh-temple-bells\">Bonsh\u014d: Temple Bells<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-the-ni-guardians\">The Ni\u014d Guardians<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-buddhist-statues\">Buddhist Statues<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#syncretism\">Why is it so hard to make the difference between these two places?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-shinto-and-buddhism-the-two-major-religions-in-japan\">Shinto and Buddhism: The Two Major Religions in Japan <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand the differences between sanctuaries and temples, you must first differentiate these two religions in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Shinto religion<\/strong> (\u795e\u9053) or &#8220;way of the gods&#8221; in its literal translation is the majority religion in Japan (more than 90 million believers in the nation&#8217;s 126 million inhabitants). It\u2019s a polytheistic religion gathering kami\u00a0 (\u795e) &#8220;deities&#8221; related to various elements and aspects of life (such as the sun, the wind, thunder, harvest, and fertility.) <strong>This religion is based on Japanese mythology<\/strong>, told in the <strong>Kojiki <\/strong>(\u53e4\u4e8b\u8a18) &#8220;Records of Ancient Matters&#8221;. To learn more about Shintoism, don\u2019t hesitate to read this article about <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/takachiho-amano-yasukarawa\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Takachiho one of the most important shrines in the Shinto religion.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"afflink\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/difference-temple-shrine-japan\/\" class=\"ek-link\">The Difference Between Temples and Shrines in Japan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15194509\/photo-1545659705-c769b5c3d132-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The details and symmetries of a temple roof\" class=\"wp-image-77318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15194509\/photo-1545659705-c769b5c3d132-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15194509\/photo-1545659705-c769b5c3d132-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15194509\/photo-1545659705-c769b5c3d132-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15194509\/photo-1545659705-c769b5c3d132.jpg 1050w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The details and symmetries of a temple roof. Photo: Charles Postiaux <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Buddhism (\u4ecf\u6559), &#8220;bukkyo&#8221; in Japanese, was brought from China and Korea in the 5<sup>th<\/sup> and 6<sup>th<\/sup> century, even though dates can vary depending on the sources. Over time Buddhism has come to integrate into Japanese culture and sometimes even mix with <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/takachiho-gorge-legends\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Shinto<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-how-to-recognize-a-shrine\">How to recognize a Shrine?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Having studied a lot about the Japanese religion before settling in Japan, it was when I arrived here and visited the places of worship that I was able to understand their importance and how to make out the difference between Shrines and Japanese Temples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shrines are usually called <strong>Jinja<\/strong> (\u795e\u793e) or <strong>Taisha<\/strong> (\u5927\u793e) in Japanese. They are <strong>the places of Shinto worship<\/strong>, recognizable in several ways. For example, most tourists visiting Tokyo go to Meiji Jingu without knowing that they&#8217;ve visited a shrine. If &#8220;<strong>jingu<\/strong>&#8221; (\u795e\u5bae), &#8220;<strong>jinja<\/strong>&#8221; or &#8220;<strong>taisha<\/strong>&#8221; is in the name of a place of worship, then it\u2019s a Shrine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-a-torii-gate-is-at-the-entrance-of-shrines\">A Torii Gate is at the Entrance of Shrines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At the entrance of Shrines, there will always be a <strong>Torii<\/strong> (\u9ce5\u5c45), a door that announces the entry into a sacred place. Torii gates are usually vermilion, as it is the main color in Japanese Shrines. Once the torii is crossed, we are in the sacred enclosure of the Shrine.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"698\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15195258\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7658-1024x698.jpg\" alt=\"Torii at the entrance of a shrine in Nara prefecture\" class=\"wp-image-77319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15195258\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7658-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15195258\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7658-500x341.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15195258\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7658.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Torii at the entrance of a shrine in Nara prefecture. Photo: Joachim Ducos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-the-haiden-place-of-offering-in-shrines\">The Haiden, place of offering in Shrines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We then walk along the main alley called <strong><em>sand\u014d<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u53c2\u9053) in Japanese, which guides us to the worship building called <strong><em>haiden<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u62dd\u6bbf) where people gather to pray and make offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15200043\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-4010-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"The Haiden in Kushida shrine, Fukuoka\" class=\"wp-image-77321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15200043\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-4010-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15200043\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-4010-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15200043\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-4010-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/15200043\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-4010.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Haiden in Kushida shrine, Fukuoka. Photo: Joachim Ducos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-shimenawa-and-shide-entry-into-the-realm-of-gods\">Shimenawa and Shide: Entry into the Realm of Gods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before even reaching the <em>Haiden<\/em>, many things tell us that we are in a Shrine. If you see <strong>braided ropes with strips of paper <\/strong>hanging from them, hooked to the <em>torii<\/em> or the <em>haiden<\/em>, it means that you are in a Shrine. These braided ropes are made from rice straw and are called <strong><em>shimenawa<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u6ce8\u9023\u7e04). They are the link between our world and the realm of gods, the territory of various <em>Kami. <\/em>The strips of paper hanging from the <em>shimenawa<\/em> are called <strong><em>Shide <\/em><\/strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\" class=\"ek-underline\">(\u7d19\u5782)<\/span><\/span>. These ornaments are designed to repel evil spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16005519\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-5255-1024x525.jpg\" alt=\"Shimenawa from a shrine in the island of Taketomi, Okinawa\" class=\"wp-image-77326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16005519\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-5255-1024x525.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16005519\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-5255-500x256.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16005519\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-5255.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shimenawa from a shrine in the island of Taketomi, Okinawa. Photo: Joachim Ducos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you want to discover a <em>shimenawa<\/em> that is out of the ordinary,<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/shimane-izumo-taisha\/\" class=\"ek-link\"> Izumo Taisha Shrine owns the biggest <em>shimenawa<\/em> in Japan<\/a>. <\/strong>Usually changed every 4 to 8 years, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kankou-shimane.com\/en\/?p=3198\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">its design<\/a> is a real challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16005803\/izumo-taisha.jpg\" alt=\"Izumo Shrine and its famous shimenawa\" class=\"wp-image-77327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16005803\/izumo-taisha.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16005803\/izumo-taisha-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16005803\/izumo-taisha-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Izumo Shrine and its famous shimenawa. Photo: Todd Fong<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-komainu-the-lion-dog-guardians-at-japanese-shrines\">Komainu: The Lion-Dog Guardians at Japanese Shrines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Elements that will be easy to notice and that I spend a lot of time taking pictures of each time I visit a shrine are called <strong><em>komainu<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u72db\u72ac). These creatures, similar to Lion dogs (<em>inu<\/em>&nbsp;\u72ac in Japanese being the kanji of the dog) are always carved in pairs at the entrance of shrines or in front of the <em>Haiden<\/em>. <strong>These majestic beasts serve as guardians of shrines and repel evil spirits. <\/strong>They are often represented one with the mouth opened and the other with a closed mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The komainu with the mouth opened pronounce the sound \u201ca,\u201d which corresponds to the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sanskrit\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">Sanskrit alphabet&#8217;s <\/a>first letter (Religious language of Buddhism and Hinduism). In contrast, the one with the mouth closed pronounces the sound \u201cum,\u201d which corresponds to the Sanskrit alphabet&#8217;s last letter. Together they form the sound \u201caum\u201d (\u0950), a sacred syllable in Buddhism. This combination signifies the beginning and the end of all things. As I explained earlier, <strong>here, we can clearly see Buddhism&#8217;s influence within a Shinto shrine itself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170518\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7047-2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"lion-dog statue covered in snow guards gates at Japanese Shrines and Temples\" class=\"wp-image-77366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170518\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7047-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170518\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7047-2-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170518\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7047-2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170518\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-7047-2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"692\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16165755\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1986-1024x692.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese shrine structure in Hokkaido\" class=\"wp-image-77360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16165755\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1986-1024x692.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16165755\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1986-500x338.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16165755\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1986-400x269.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16165755\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1986.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170526\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1984-2-3-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"lion-dog statue guards gates at Japanese Shrines and Temples\" class=\"wp-image-77367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170526\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1984-2-3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170526\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1984-2-3-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170526\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1984-2-3-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16170526\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-1984-2-3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Komainu protecting the entrance of a shrine in Hokkaido. Photos: Joachim Ducos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-the-priests-living-in-shrines\">The Priests Living in Shrines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"htoc-when-i-started-my-wanders-in-japan-i-noticed-that-the-easiest-way-to-know-if-i-was-in-a-temple-or-a-shrine-was-to-look-at-the-priests-taking-care-of-these-sacred-places-priests-working-in-shrines-are-called-kannushi-or-shinshoku-they-usually-wear-a-specific-headdress-depending-on-their-outfit-whereas-buddhist-monk-doesn-t-wear-any\">When I started my wanders in Japan, I noticed that the easiest way to know if I was in a temple or a shrine was to look at the priests taking care of these sacred places. Priests working in shrines are called <strong><em>kannushi<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong>(\u795e\u4e3b<strong>)<\/strong>&nbsp;or <strong><em>shinshoku<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u795e\u8077), they usually wear a specific headdress depending on their outfit, whereas Buddhist monk doesn\u2019t wear any.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171243\/DSC_3384-1024x682-1.jpg\" alt=\"Buddhist  priest in Japanese Shrine\" class=\"wp-image-77368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171243\/DSC_3384-1024x682-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171243\/DSC_3384-1024x682-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171243\/DSC_3384-1024x682-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A priest during a religious ceremony. Photo: Todd Fong <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-how-to-recognize-a-temple-in-japan\">How to Recognize a Temple in Japan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Japanese temples are called <strong><em>tera<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u5bfa), sometimes preceded by an honorary prefix \u201co\u201d as a sign of respect, a formula regularly used in Japan. The second name is <strong><em>ji<\/em><\/strong> (the kanji is the same as <em>tera<\/em>). One last kanji can refer to a temple; it\u2019s the kanji <strong><em>in<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u9662). Following this explanation, Hozan-ji (\u5b9d\u5c71\u5bfa) in Nara, Yoshimine-dera (\u5584\u5cef\u5bfa) in Kyoto and Nanzo-in (\u5357\u8535\u9662) in Fukuoka are three temples, each having a different ending in their pronunciation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171549\/parc-nara-daim-6018-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese temple in Nara\" class=\"wp-image-77369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171549\/parc-nara-daim-6018-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171549\/parc-nara-daim-6018-1-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171549\/parc-nara-daim-6018-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171549\/parc-nara-daim-6018-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kofoku-ji temple in Nara. Photo: Joachim Ducos <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-manji-the-most-important-religious-symbol-of-buddhism\">Manji: The Most Important Religious Symbol of Buddhism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Something important to know for westerners who are not really aware of Buddhism: the <strong><em>manji<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u534d) is <strong>one of the most important religious symbols in Buddhism<\/strong>. While traveling in Japan, you will see many of them, whether inside temples or even on maps that indicate that the place is indeed a temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to know that <strong>this an ancient symbol<\/strong>, even though the Nazis, unfortunately, used the reverse version called &#8220;gyaku manji&#8221; (gyaku \u9006 means &#8220;inverted&#8221; in Japanese) during World War 2. Do not see or feel anything strange when you happen to see the symbol during your journeys in these sacred places.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171848\/thumbnail_IMG_2330-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"manju icon for Japanese temple\" class=\"wp-image-77370\" width=\"384\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171848\/thumbnail_IMG_2330-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171848\/thumbnail_IMG_2330-375x500.jpg 375w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16171848\/thumbnail_IMG_2330.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Manji above a statue in a temple, downtown Osaka. Photo: Ga\u00ebl<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-r-mon-and-s-mon-the-main-gates-of-japanese-temples\">R\u014dmon and S\u014dmon: The Main Gates of Japanese Temples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The <em>r\u014dmon<\/em>&nbsp;(\u697c\u9580)&nbsp;<\/strong>&#8220;tower gate&#8221; and<strong> the&nbsp;<em>s\u014dmon<\/em>&nbsp;(\u7dcf\u9580) <\/strong>&#8220;main gate&#8221; are located at the entrance of temples and serve as doors to enter in the sacred grounds of the place.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172109\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-6600-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"R\u014dmon traditional gate at the entrance of a temple in Tokyo\" class=\"wp-image-77371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172109\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-6600-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172109\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-6600-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172109\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-6600-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172109\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-6600.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">R\u014dmon at the entrance of a temple in Tokyo. Photo: Joachim Ducos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-bonsh-temple-bells\">Bonsh\u014d: Temple Bells<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The <em>bonsh\u014d<\/em>&nbsp;(\u68b5\u9418)<\/strong> are <strong>the bells located inside the enclosure of Temples. <\/strong>They are usually quite huge, and you will notice them from far away. These bells are rung during the call to prayer and to indicate time. They are easily recognizable and always have similar characteristics regarding their engravings.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172245\/DSC4368-1024x731.jpg\" alt=\"temple bell in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-77373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172245\/DSC4368-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172245\/DSC4368-500x357.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16172245\/DSC4368.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bonsh\u014d of a temple in liyama. Photo: Todd Fong<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-the-ni-guardians\">The Ni\u014d Guardians<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You might happen to come across <em>komainu<\/em> at the entrance of temples (<a href=\"#syncretism\" class=\"ek-link\">more on why you might see a Shinto icon at a temple later<\/a>), it is usually <strong><em>Ni\u014d Guardians<\/em><\/strong> (\u4ec1\u738b) also called\u00a0<strong><em>kong\u014d-rikishi<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(\u91d1\u525b\u529b\u58eb) who protect the place. They have the same purpose as <em>Komainu <\/em>in shrines but are way bigger and impressive. I let you judge by yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n[the_ad id=&#8221;99954&#8243;]\n\n\n\n<p>If you are looking for <strong><em>Ni\u014d Guardians <\/em><\/strong>that are quite uncommon, I can only advise you to read this article about <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/oita-kunisaki-sacred-mountain\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Futago-ji, a temple located in Oita prefecture<\/a>, surrounded by mountains with a lot of <strong><em>Ni\u014d <\/em><\/strong>statues, in a unique scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175026\/futagoji-temple-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Ni\u014d  guardians in Futago-ji temple, in Kunisaki peninsula, Japan\" class=\"wp-image-77374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175026\/futagoji-temple-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175026\/futagoji-temple-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175026\/futagoji-temple.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Ni\u014d<\/em>\u00a0 guardians in Futago-ji temple, in Kunisaki peninsula. Photo: Cl\u00e9mentine Cintr\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-buddhist-statues\">Buddhist Statues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the essentials, when I visit a temple is the statues. I am always looking for different representations of Buddhist deities. The most common statues that you will see represent <strong>Amida nyorai<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u963f\u5f25\u9640\u5982\u6765, buddha), <strong>Kannon<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u89b3\u97f3, bodhisattva de la compassion)&nbsp;or<strong> Fud\u014d-my\u014d\u014d&nbsp;<\/strong>(\u4e0d\u52d5\u660e\u738b, one of the five&nbsp;<em>my\u014d\u014d<\/em>). As you probably understood, temples are full of statues representing Buddhist deities, giving the place a special atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175543\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-8107-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"kannon buddhist statue at temple in kamakura\" class=\"wp-image-77375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175543\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-8107-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175543\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-8107-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175543\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-8107-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/16175543\/sanctuaire-temple-japon-8107.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Amida Nyorai ( Buddha) in K\u014dtokuin Temple, Kamakura. Photo: Joachim Ducos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"syncretism\">Why is it so hard to make the difference between these two places?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After all these explanations, you probably think you won\u2019t make a mistake during your next trip. Sadly, I would not be so sure. As you might have noticed while reading the article, <strong>there are many similarities between temples and shrines.<\/strong> It\u2019s the consequence of Japan\u2019s complex history and the mix between the two religions over the centuries. This mix has a name:  <strong>syncretism<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shinto and Buddhism fused over the ages<\/strong>, which nowadays result in religious similarities in belief and places of worship. That\u2019s why some places gather at &#8220;temple-shrines&#8221; (\u795e\u5bae\u5bfa), where the two religions are bound together. It is important to remember that you might see <em>torii<\/em>, <em>komainu<\/em> or <em>shimenawa <\/em>in front of temples, for example, despite all the explanations. This complexity allows a better understanding of Japanese culture and also helps realize that some religious aspects became cultural and shared by all Japanese, whatever their beliefs are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next time you visit a Temple or a Shrine, you will just have to be careful of what\u2019s around you. If you notice a <strong><em>vermilion torii <\/em><\/strong>at the entrance of a <strong><em>shrine<\/em><\/strong> or <strong><em>manji <\/em><\/strong>inside a <strong>temple<\/strong>, you will be able to spot the difference. Despite the similarities, it is still possible to know whether <strong>you are in a Temple or a Shrine.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are two majority religions in Japan, Shinto and Buddhism, which are part of Japanese people&#8217;s daily lives. Religion and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":171,"featured_media":78731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[26,2050],"tags":[1809,1306,1307],"class_list":{"0":"post-77315","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture","8":"category-things-to-know","9":"tag-religion","10":"tag-shrine","11":"tag-temple"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What&#039;s the Main Difference Between Temples &amp; Shrines in Japan?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples can be found all throughout Japan, but what exactly is the difference? 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Je suis arriv\u00e9 au Japon en juin 2019, et je vis \u00e0 Osaka depuis cette date. Je suis passionn\u00e9 par La culture japonaise, son Histoire, ses religions, ses traditions et son folklore. Ma principale passion \u00e9tant l\u2019ukiyoe (les estampes japonaises) et le tatouage traditionnel japonais.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/gael\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What's the Main Difference Between Temples & Shrines in Japan?","description":"Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples can be found all throughout Japan, but what exactly is the difference? 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