#the dōsojin is doing a good job ;) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

todayintokyo · 2 months

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This small hide-and-seek shrine in Setagaya in Tokyo is a so-called hokora (祠), a miniature Shinto shrine that is dedicated to minor kami not under the jurisdiction of any large shrine. This one doesn't even have its own name, as far as I can ascertain, though it's beautifully maintained. It's in a tree-lined street that happens to have a very good bakery and ice cream shop.

Back to the little shrine itself. I wonder who lives here. I like to think it's a dōsojin (道祖神 or road ancestor deity), protector of travellers, pilgrims and villages. I could be very wrong, but...that's what I imagine.

#hide-and-seek shrines #Shinto #shrines #Setagaya #my photos #this is a wealthy area #big houses big gardens German cars #very green #quaint shops #the dōsojin is doing a good job ;)

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