The great Bishamonten with other old statues inside a new, purpose-built storage building. The statue itself is more than 1,000 years old and was carved from a single cypress tree. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
Tsuchizawa Station in Towa City is the closest station to Kumano Shrine Bishamondo (Bishamon Hall). (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Stones of a Mandala in the grounds of a temple along the road to Kumano Shrine.]()
Stones of a Mandala in the grounds of a temple along the road to Kumano Shrine. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![An small shrine on the way to Kumano Shrine.]()
An small shrine on the way to Kumano Shrine. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![The beautiful country scenery of Towa-cho surrounds the road to the shrine.]()
The beautiful country scenery of Towa-cho surrounds the road to the shrine. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Long steps that lead up to the main entrance of Kumano Shrine. Access is also possible by car.]()
Long steps that lead up to the main entrance of Kumano Shrine. Access is also possible by car. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![The shiny, red torii (gate) that marks the entrance to the shrine. ]()
The shiny, red torii (gate) that marks the entrance to the shrine. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Old and high Japanese cypress trees that fill the shrine precincts. One tree in particular oji-sugi (old-man cypress) is known to be over 1,000 years old.]()
Old and high Japanese cypress trees that fill the shrine precincts. One tree in particular oji-sugi (old-man cypress) is known to be over 1,000 years old. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Omikuji. Visitors to the shrine tie their wishes on to the rope.]()
Omikuji. Visitors to the shrine tie their wishes on to the rope. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Area for nakizumo (cry baby sumo wrestling) tournament.]()
Area for nakizumo (cry baby sumo wrestling) tournament. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Main hall of Kumano Shrine and area for nakizumo (cry baby sumo wrestling) that stand side by side.]()
Main hall of Kumano Shrine and area for nakizumo (cry baby sumo wrestling) that stand side by side. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Old wooden Bishamondo (Bishamon hall) that was built in the 15th century (Muromachi period 1333-1573).]()
Old wooden Bishamondo (Bishamon hall) that was built in the 15th century (Muromachi period 1333-1573). (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Moss covered komainu guard of the Bishamondo (Bishamon Hall).]()
Moss covered komainu guard of the Bishamondo (Bishamon Hall). (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![One of the sacred symbols of the shrine God represented by a mirror. ]()
One of the sacred symbols of the shrine God represented by a mirror. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Swords of wisdom to remove blindness and clear the mind of distracting thoughts.]()
Swords of wisdom to remove blindness and clear the mind of distracting thoughts. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Shadows of Bishamonten cast from many directions are projected on to the pu]()
Shadows of Bishamonten cast from many directions are projected on to the pu (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![God of the earth that carries Bishamonten with her two hands.]()
God of the earth that carries Bishamonten with her two hands. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Face of Bishamonten who carries a spear in the right hand and stupa (Buddhist tower) in the left hand.]()
Face of Bishamonten who carries a spear in the right hand and stupa (Buddhist tower) in the left hand. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Main entrance gate of Kumano Shrine Bishamonten.]()
Main entrance gate of Kumano Shrine Bishamonten. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
![Beautiful view from top of the stairs just before you enter the Kumano Shrine Bishamondo (Bishamon Hall).]()
Beautiful view from top of the stairs just before you enter the Kumano Shrine Bishamondo (Bishamon Hall). (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)
Loading... 
