CASTLE-19 ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE

Itsukushima Jinja is one of the most famous Japanese shinto shrines located on Itsukushima Island, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Honshu. It is currently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first records of a shrine on Itsukushima Island date back to the 6th century AD, and in its present shape, the shrines, together with their famous "water gate" (Japanese: torii), have existed since the mid-12th century, or more precisely from around 1170. The construction of the temple is based on stilts and piers over the bay, which is to emphasize its sacredness and detachment from the world of mortals. Also the torii leading to Itsukushima Ninja is unique and is one of the greatest tourist attractions of modern Japan and is part of the so-called three famous views (Japanese: Nihon-sankei) of the Land of the Rising Sun. However, it is worth remembering that the gate did not get its present shape until 1875. At present, it is 16 meters high and the main lintel is 23 meters long. Itsukushima Ninja Temple is dedicated to three Shinto deities, all of whom are children of the religion's most important pair of deities, the goddess Amatersu and the deity Susanoo.