Katase-Suwa Shrine in Fujisawa
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 3200 for 1/10 sec. at ƒ/2.0
Classic Chrome film simulation
New Year’s Decorations at Japanese Shrine
(Fujisawa, Kanagawa Pref., Japan)
Founded in 723, Katase Suwa Shrine was rebuilt in its current location in 1347 in Fujisawa, a coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
This shot illustrates a typical Shinto shrine all decked out for the New Year’s festivities:
- stone lanterns, a torii gate, a temizuya where you wash your hands before approaching the shrine, chochin paper lanterns with the names of the shrine or names of devoted parishioners (both individual and corporate), and paper placards announcing the shrine is open for hatsumode (初詣)--the new-year festivities where locals visit the shrine to pray for a healthy and prosperous new year.
References:
Katase-Suwa Shrine (Japanese)
Fujisawa City Tourist Association (Japanese)
Kanagawa Prefectural Government (English)
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 3200 for 1/13 sec. at ƒ/2.0
Provia/Standard film simulation
Torii Gate and Bamboo
(Fujisawa, Kanagawa Pref., Japan)
The long rows of pink lanterns cast a pink glow on all of the shrine grounds reminiscent of the cherry blossom season, which is why I pulled my car over and stopped to explore this shrine at 3:30 in the morning.
Torii gates are typically decorated with just the shimenawa straw rope with paper shide hanging from the rope. During the New Year’s holidays and a few other festivals, you can see bamboo tied to the torii gate.
Bamboo can mean a number of things in Japanese culture including strength and prosperity or be used to ward off evil.
Most likely, the bamboo shafts tied to the torii gate in this shot are being used to ward off evil and to ensure strength and prosperity for the visitors to the shrine as they make wishes for a safe and prosperous new year.
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 3200 for 1/50 sec. at ƒ/2.0
Provia/Standard film simulation
Chochin Paper Lanterns
(Fujisawa, Kanagawa Pref., Japan)
In this shot at Katase-Suwa Shrine, I tried to focus on the two types of paper lanterns (chochin) on display at the shrine during the New Year’s holidays of hatsumode.
I have an affinity for all the different kinds of chochin you can see in Japan, whether they are used at a shrine, temple, ramen shop, bar, pub, festivals, parks, Chinatown, etc.
The main lantern in this shot has the name of the shrine written from top to bottom: Katase | Suwa | Jin | Ja (Katase-Suwa Jinja) and includes the shrine’s crest of three oak tree leaves (side).
The importance of this lantern can be seen in that it has its own little roof. While all of the “lesser” lanterns are pink, have names of individual and corporate sponsors, and are more decorative for festive purposes.
References:
Shrine Crest Information (Japanese)
