東照宮(とうしょうぐう)

とうしょうぐう
noun
Toshogu Shrine
religionculturehistory
1. Toshogu Shrine
A Shinto shrine enshrining 徳川家康(とくがわいえやす) as the deity 東照大権現(とうしょうだいごんげん). The most famous is in 日光(にっこう), a UNESCO World Heritage site, but Toshogu shrines exist throughout Japan.
日光(にっこう)東照宮(とうしょうぐう)を訪(おとず)れた。
I visited Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
東照宮(とうしょうぐう)は徳川家康(とくがわいえやす)を祀(まつ)っている。
Toshogu Shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu.
東照宮(とうしょうぐう)の豪華(ごうか)な彫刻(ちょうこく)は江戸時代(えどじだい)の職人(しょくにん)技術(ぎじゅつ)の結晶(けっしょう)だ。
The lavish carvings of Toshogu Shrine are the crystallization of Edo-period craftsmanship.

Combination of 東照(とうしょう) (the posthumous title given to 徳川家康(とくがわいえやす)) + 宮(ぐう) (shrine). Refers to any shrine dedicated to Ieyasu, of which there are over 100 across Japan.

Well-known examples

  • 日光(にっこう)東照宮(とうしょうぐう): Nikko Toshogu — the main and most famous shrine
  • 久能山(くのうざん)東照宮(とうしょうぐう): Kunozan Toshogu — where Ieyasu was originally buried
  • 上野(うえの)東照宮(とうしょうぐう): Ueno Toshogu — in central Tokyo

Cultural note

Nikko Toshogu is famous for its elaborate gold-leaf decorations, the 三猿(さんざる) (three wise monkeys) carving, and the 眠(ねむ)り猫(ねこ) (sleeping cat) carving. It contrasts sharply with the simpler aesthetic typical of Shinto shrines.

general
Added 2026.6.5 13:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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