Meiji Shrine

Located in Yoyogi Jingu-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, it enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It was founded in November 1920 (Taisho 9). After Emperor Meiji passed away in July 1912 (Meiji 45) and his wife Empress Shoken passed away in April 1914, there was a growing desire among the people to enshrine their spirits and to respect and honor their virtues. The following year, in 1915, the Meiji Shrine Construction Bureau Official Regulations were promulgated, and it was decided to build the shrine in this location, which had been the garden of the lower residence of the feudal lords Kato and Ii families since the early Edo period and was called Yoyogi Gyoen during the Meiji period, and is associated with Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The gardening and development of the grounds, which cover approximately 700,000 square meters, was carried out through the volunteer work of the National Youth Association, and the trees, consisting of 365 species and approximately 120,000 trees, were donated from all over the country. The outer garden, covering 300,000 square meters, was completed in 1926. The main hall and other buildings were damaged in the war in April 1945 (Showa 20), but were rebuilt in 1958. Formerly a government-sponsored shrine. Annual festival held on November 3rd (Emperor Meiji's birthday).

[Junichi Kamata]

In 2020 (Reiwa 2), 36 buildings, including the main hall, inner worship hall, and outer worship hall, were designated as Important Cultural Properties.

[Editorial Department, December 14, 2021]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

東京都渋谷区代々木神園町に鎮座。明治天皇・昭憲(しょうけん)皇太后を祀(まつ)る。1920年（大正9）11月創建。1912年（明治45）7月明治天皇が亡くなり、1914年4月その皇后昭憲皇太后が亡くなったあと、国民の間からその神霊を祀り、遺徳を慕い敬仰したいとの気運が高まり、翌1915年明治神宮造営局官制が公布され、江戸初期以来、大名加藤家、井伊(いい)家の下(しも)屋敷の庭園であり、明治時代に代々木御苑(ぎょえん)とされ、明治天皇・昭憲皇太后ゆかりの当地を選び造営することとした。その境内約70万平方メートルの造園整備は全国青年団の勤労奉仕によりなされ、その樹木365種、約12万本も全国より献納された。30万平方メートルに及ぶ外苑は1926年完成。1945年（昭和20）4月本殿以下戦災を受けたが、1958年復興。旧官幣大社。例祭11月3日（明治天皇の誕生日）。

［鎌田純一］

　2020年（令和2）、本殿、内拝殿、外拝殿など36棟が重要文化財に指定された。

［編集部　2021年12月14日］

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