The Spirits Move, Sudo Shrine (崇道神社)

Posted by GJC (Kyoto, Japan) on 7 April 2009 in Lifestyle & Culture.

The strips of white paper hanging from the "torii" gate are called "gohei" (御幣). They are common at Shinto shrines to indicate the boundaries of sacred space and to purify that space and all who enter.

Thanks to all for your wonderfully interesting discussion on yesterday's image. I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts, and am flattered to have an audience here of such thoughtful and involved photographers. In fact, I have learned a lot from visiting your blogs, so keep up the good work!

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Comments (19)

cat from Tel Aviv, Israel

I looked at the image before I read your description and noticed the movement of the white papers - and imagined that it made the presence of the wind apparent to people standing there. So I liked reading your explanation of why these papers are there! The green moss is wonderful too.

7 Apr 2009 6:22am

mo.langel from Courtelary, Switzerland

Excellent cadrage, très belle image!

7 Apr 2009 7:32am

Laurie from New Jersey, United States

Beautiful shrine. They always seem to exude such a peaceful atmosphere.

7 Apr 2009 10:39am

Roman from Thunder Bay, Canada

I love old places. And this one has tha beautiful patina of old, a rich green moss in this case. Love your stories GJC so pleasee, keep them comming !!

cheers
Roman

7 Apr 2009 11:43am

bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada

Stunning shot and title! One can feel the dampness in the air with the moss that is covering the structure. Bravo to you!

7 Apr 2009 12:27pm

Eleftheria from Athens, Greece

Another beautiful composition!

7 Apr 2009 1:21pm

Veronique from Sarrouilles, France

very nice

7 Apr 2009 1:31pm

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

So ancient, so beautiful.

7 Apr 2009 5:09pm

Howard F. from South Pasadena, Calif., United States

The green moss sort of gives a chilly and (I don't want to say) spooky feeling, but it is a nice spot in summer time. Really like the green moss on its roof tiles.

7 Apr 2009 5:51pm

Ian from United Kingdom

Very nice, GJC - I really like the dark, hard interior of the shrine, it brings such a sharp contrast to the gohei, which seem brightly three-dimensional and luminous - in a way, the white paper fulfils the role of the absent sun (its impression is always there)... Oh, and the dash of red is gorgeous.

7 Apr 2009 8:26pm

michele from Canada

i really like this one!

7 Apr 2009 10:54pm

colocolo from *, Japan

侘び寂びの世界観を感じます。

7 Apr 2009 11:11pm

Sugata from Newark, United States

Great shot! The texture on the stone pillars is amazing!

8 Apr 2009 2:44am

Esther K from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Fascinating image! Thanks for your notes and for sharing this :-)

8 Apr 2009 5:33am

daina from New York, United States

Wonderful muted greens in this image and the green seems to touch almost every object in varying ways. The fence’s stone posts look like little guards surrounding the sacred space – there seem to be several levels of boundaries before one is can enter it. Beautiful image…

8 Apr 2009 4:30pm

grant from kansas city, United States

a beautiful and fascinating image

8 Apr 2009 7:54pm

zanfifotos from Pignans, France

great frame to show such a quiet place, i dream to visit japan !!

9 Apr 2009 4:26am

Anita from West Nottingham, United States

I like the green moss covering most everything. Lovely image of this small shrine.

9 Apr 2009 10:41am

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Oh, I love these damp spaces full of forest spirits...

12 Apr 2009 4:25pm

next day →

Nikon D300
1 second
F/8.0
ISO 100
42 mm (35mm equiv.)