Sunday, May 11, 2014

Shrine Chickens

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It is not uncommon to see chickens running free in the grounds of shrines, like these first two photos in Aoiaso Shrine, Hitoyoshi.

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Some say it is because the rooster heralds the arrival of the sun, the sun goddess Amaterasu.

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Some say it is because in the Iwato myth the assembled kami brought in roosters to try and trick Amaterasu out of the cave.

This third photo is from a small shrine next to Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki.

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These last two photos  are from Iminomiya Shrine in Chofu, Yamaguchi.

Personally, I think the reason you find chickens at shrines is because the priest and family like free eggs.

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1 comment:

  1. I agree with you. Free eggs is not a bad thing.

    The photo of the rooster on the shrine is definitely a win too.

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