In the Shinto tradition, the sacred sanctuary space must be delimited from its surroundings. Thus, the entrances are marked with the well-known torii Shinto gates, which have the role to keep the interior pure by keeping away evil spirits.

Around the shrine, the same role can be assigned to statues or even plants, such as the bamboo grove photographed here at the Hiyoshi Shrine, inside the Shoren-in Temple in Higashiyama, Kyoto.

Hiyoshi Shrine, Shoren-in, Higashiyama, Kyoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Kyoto Tofuku-ji Kaisando hall and garden