Because I had to change my plans when we were in Nagoya because of Typhoon 26, I made a slight detour to Ise on the way to Kyoto from Kii-Katsuura. Every 20 years Ise Jingu shrine is rebuilt and this was the main reason for visiting Japan this time. Ise Jingu is one of the most sacred Shinto shrines and consists of two complexes: Gaku (outer shrine) and Naiku (inner shrine). I only had time to visit Gaku but it was still worth it. A new shrine is built using traditional tools and methods next to the old shrine. No nails are used , just tongue and groove construction. This is the 62rd time the shrine has gone under reconstruction. The reason that is's 20 years is that is how long the materials used in construction last in this climate and one of the central tenants of Shinto is purity and cleanliness. The old buildings will eventually demolished and the site used in 20 years to build a new shrine once again.
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