At the Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

The Husband and Wife Trees at the Toshigu Shrine

Statute at the Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

The Tall Tree and the Flowers at Toshogu Shrine, Japan 2

The Tall Tree and the Flowers at Toshogu Shrine, Japan

The Line of Stone Lanterns outside Toshogu Shrine, Japan

The Lions at Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Island, Japan

I was thinking of posting something on the Itsukushima Shrine, but never have the time to do it.

It would be a simpler task if I just concentrate on some of the things I saw – the Lions.

I have taken pictures of at least three Lions

Even when we alight the ferry and walked towards the shrine, there are various statutes, including Lions (second picture) alongside the seaside walk to the shrine.

Right at the waterfront of the shrine is a Lion (first picture)which is quite unusual in its sculpture. This lion looks powerful and photogenic.

In the nearby courtyard of the shrine, I also found a stone lion (last picture), which seems to be playful.

Lions have a special meaning in the Oriental culture, something which Orientals will revere.