Japanese roadside shrine

Japanese roadside shrine

Mizumoto Village, a historically significant village located in Japan. This shrine is a sacred place for worshiping the Daozu God, who is a deity in Japanese folk beliefs that protects travelers and ensures road safety. Often located next to the main roads or intersections in the village, so that passing pedestrians can easily worship and pray for a safe journey. It is the center of religious activities and spiritual life for local residents, as well as an important symbol of the village's history and cultural heritage. Reflecting the local traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic concepts. For local residents, this shrine is also a symbol of community cohesion, a part of their shared memory and identity.
Small shrines in Japan

Small shrines in Japan

The Divine Wood Statue of Shintoism in Japan

The Divine Wood Statue of Shintoism in Japan

This sculpture represents a god of Shintoism, produced during the Heian period in Japan (794-1185). It is carved from a piece of wood and represents the image of a courtier during the Heian period. At that time, the royal family was endowed with divinity, to the extent that some nobles were deified and revered as gods after their death. This sculpture measures 53.3 x 47 cm and was purchased from the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1978.