Its Foundation and Location.
This shrine, originally known
as the Tokyo Shokonsha, was, by Imperial command, founded in June of Meiji 2
(1869) here at the upper part of Kudan slope for the worship of the divine
spirits of those who sacrificed themselves for their country.
Meaning of Shokonsha.
The word Shokonsha, also called Shokonjo,
means the shrine or place to which the divine spirits of those who have made the
great sacrifice are invited, and is thus peculiar to Japan inasmuch as the
unknown warriors of Europe have not been apotheosized.
Significance of Yasukuni.
The term Yasukuni of Yasukuni
Jinja, the new name being graciously bestowed by His Imperial Majesty the
Emperor Meiji in Meiji 12 (1879), signifies "peaceful country" implying that,
owing to the meritorious services of the spirits of the deities worshipped, the
nation enjoys peace and security.
The Deities Worshipped.
All the deities worshipped here at this
shrine are those who, entertaining such sentiments as mentioned above,
sacrificed themselves as the foundation stones for the making of modern Japan.
In other words, during the period of about a hundred years, viz. from the time
before and after the Restoration of Meiji to that unforgettable year Showa 20
(1945) when World War II came to an end, there had been various engagements,
outbreaks, rebellions, incidents and wars, internal and external, in which a
great number of people including loyalists, warriors, soldiers, sailors and
civilians employed by the military gave their invaluable lives for the cause of
their country. The number of sprites now worshipped amounts to some 2,500,000
and their names, the dates and localities of their death in battle and their
native places are respectfully preserved at this shrine in the form of accurate
records.
Two Great Annual Festivals.
One is the
Spring festival and the other the Autumn festival each lasting three days, i.e.
the former on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of April, and the latter on the 17th, 18th
and 19th of October. On both occasions an Imperial Messenger attends to present
the Imperial offerings and reads the Gosaimon, or Imperial message, to the
Deities.
Throughout the three periods of Meiji, Taisho and Showa the Shrine
has been honoured with 72 visits of Emperors, Empresses and Crown Princes.
Visits of members of the Imperial Family are too numerous to be chronicled,
running into hundreds.
Every year hundreds of thousands of the war bereaved
including numerous fellow soldiers coming from various parts of the country are
privileged to pay, within the Maim Hall, homage to the Deities worshipped who
were formerly their blood relations, close acquaintances or fellow countrymen.
In recent years the number of annual visitors to this shrine has increased
rapidly and amounts to some 8 millions.
From what has been stated above you
may fully understand now highly the Deities worshipped here are revered by the
people of Japan.
http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/side/outline.html
