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Japan

Itsukushima Shrine

Ancient Japan · Japan

Field notes

civilizations: Ancient Japan
types: Sanctuary · Temple
built: 1,168 CE
occupied: 593 CE — 1,900 CE
country: Japan

The site

The Shinto shrine of the sacred island of Miyajima, built out over a tidal cove so that at high water its halls and vermilion torii gate seem to float on the sea. First recorded in the 6th century and given its present form in 1168, it was laid out so that pilgrims — long forbidden to set foot on the holy island — would approach from the water through the great gate. The whole island was held so sacred that neither births nor deaths were permitted on it.

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