Ueno Park, once temple grounds of the Tokygawa Shogunate, is now one of the five oldest public parks in Japan.
Within its grounds are many temples, shrines and museums.
Tokyo National Museum is one of the museums. It features many exhibits including, pottery, painting, ceramics from pre-historic to modern times.
Ueno Park is also noted for Sakura.
I arrived in Ueno Park, my first destination in Tokyo, almost accidently having booked a nearby capsule hotel for a few nights.
Entering I was unaware that is it one of the five oldest public parks in Japan. Nor was I aware of
its museums, shrines or sakura viewing.
Sakura refers to the flowers of ornamental cherry trees. These trees are not grown for their fruit.
Sakura season is from late March to early April.
Sakura at
Ueno Park
During the Edo Period (1603-1868) the park was a part of the Kan'ei-ji Temple grounds. Kan'ei-ji
was the family temple of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
My exploration of the park was in the spirit of random meandering than a carefully pre-planned expedition.
Toshogu Shrine
First destination of my meanderings was Toshogu Shine. Built in 1627 by Todo Takatora it was dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu was the founder and first Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled Japan from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 to 1868, the year of the Meiji Restoration.
Approach to the ShrineGold foil coated Kammon
GateStone LanternsWooden Tablets to Write
WishesSakura in Vicinity of the ShrineKanei-ji Gojunoto
It was renovated in 1651 by Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-1651), grandson of Ieyahu and the third
Shogun.
Since renovation the shrine has remained intact surviving various fires, earthquakes and wars.
Tokyo National Museum
The part of the Japanese National Museum I visited was the Honkan.
Construction of the Honkan was commmenced in 1932 on the site previously occcupied
by the main hall of Kan'ei-ji Temple destroyed in the Boshin War. It opened in 1939. The Bosin War
ended the Tokugawa Shogunate. Inside is art of artifacts from the Jomon period until the Meiji
period.Pottery
from the Jomon period (14000 to 300 BC). Initially ahunter gatherer culture, they, by the end
had settled into agriculture. Their pottery was decorated by pressing cords into the surface of the wet
clay. These pottery pieces are considered to be amongst the oldest in existence, Construction of burial moulds with
multiple entrances allowing burial of family members who died at different times became common across
Japan. Burial rites developed which involved placing haniwa tomb figurines. Portraying humans and
animals they were placed on top the mounds.From the late Nara(710-794) to
the Heian(794-1192) priests appeared who believed that Buddhism and Shinto were the same faith therefore
Shinto gods were Buddhist deities. They worshipped in the mountains at what they regarded as sacred
sites. Various excavations revealed objects which the priests left as offerings. Eventually this form
of worship developed into a folk religion called Shugendo, unique to Japan.Production of weapons, amours, anchors originally imported from Korea began in Japan around the 5th century. Japanese used gilded
bronze rather than gold or silver. Bell shaped, dotaku have been unearthed in the Kinki regoin.
Originally imported from China and Korea they became larger, lost their ability to produce sound and where used as ornaments. From the end of the Heinan period(1192) to
the Meiji Restoration (1868) political power was held by the Samurai class. Modelling on court
nobility and incorporating elements of Buddhism gave birth to a stoic culture. The samurai's most
prized possession were his swords. They carried two, a long sword and a short sword. Image is of samurai armour.The kosode was a short sleeve garment that which was a direct predecessor of the kimono. Similar to the kimono it had a wider body, longer collar and narrower sleeves. The period of its usage as everyday dress was from the Kamakura period(1185-1333) to the latter Edo period(1603-1868).Buddhism introduced to Japan in
the Nara period become more integrated during the Henian period(794-1192). It gradually spread
from the nobility to the common people. Its spread had an influence on Japanese painting and
sculpture. Items in the image are from the Heian to Muromachi period(1392-1573) Woodblock PrintWoodblock PrintWoodblock PrintWoodblock Print During the Meiji Era(1868-1912) in its attempt to become regarded as a modern nation Japan struggled with the concept of art. Western concepts of art did not include folding screens, objects of everyday life such as ceramics, metalwork or textiles. In addition to embracing western concepts of art the Japanese promoted their indigenous art by internal and external exhibitions. Ceramics produced in Japan, during the Meiji Period(1868-1912) which were intended for export to Europe.
EuropeSumptuous paintings emerged in
the Azuchi-Momoyama period which emphasised the power of the warrior class. A system of
appointing painters to the government emerged in the Edo period(1603-1868). The style of these
painters, Kano, became he offical standard. However other styles were also active during this
period.
Leaving the National Musuem I meandered towards the train station discovering the Bentendo Temple enroute.
Bentendo Temple
Bentendo is an octoganol temple hall located on an island within Shinobazu Pond located in the
southern part of Ueno Park.
It is dedicated to the Shinto-Buddhist deity, Benzaiten, goddess of music, arts, knowledge, wealth
and water. Because of this the shrine is reverved by artists and musicians seeking blessings.
Bentendo Viewed Across the Lotus PondSakura near Bentendo TempleTemple Front EntranceMain Altar
