{"id":1949,"date":"2026-03-30T00:30:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T15:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/?post_type=featured&p=1949"},"modified":"2026-03-30T00:30:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T15:30:18","slug":"meiji-restoration-figures","status":"publish","type":"featured","link":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/guide\/history-culture\/meiji-restoration-figures\/","title":{"rendered":"Ito Hirobumi & the Heroes Who Saved Miyajima in the Meiji Era"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that Ito Hirobumi, Japan’s first Prime Minister, personally invested the equivalent of \u00a525 million (about 7,000 yen at the time) to build hiking trails up Mount Misen on Miyajima? The Meiji Restoration of 1868 transformed Japan into a modern nation, but for Miyajima\u2014an island sacred for over a thousand years\u2014this period brought chaos and crisis. Government decrees threatened to burn down Itsukushima Shrine. Buddhist temples were abolished overnight. Yet through it all, determined individuals stepped forward to protect the island’s cultural heritage while guiding it into the modern age. This article traces the footsteps of those who saved Miyajima during one of Japan’s most turbulent eras.<\/p>\n

Ito Hirobumi’s Deep Devotion to Miyajima<\/h2>\n

Ito Hirobumi (1841-1909), who became Japan’s first Prime Minister, was one of the most influential figures in Miyajima’s modern history. While he’s remembered as the statesman who shaped modern Japan, few know about his personal devotion to Miyajima\u2014particularly to Mount Misen. This wasn’t mere political interest; it was genuine faith that led him to fund major projects from his own pocket.<\/p>\n

Faith in the Sankidaigongen Mountain Deity<\/h3>\n

Ito especially revered Sankidaigongen, the guardian deity of Mount Misen. This deity consists of three powerful spirits\u2014Jibikijin, Tsuichokijin, and Marakijin\u2014whose true forms are said to be the Buddhist figures Dainichi Nyorai, Fudo Myoo, and Kokuzo Bosatsu. The Sankidaigongen represented the essence of shinbutsu-shugo, the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism that had defined Japanese spirituality for centuries.<\/p>\n

Ito left calligraphic tablets at Sankido Hall and Daiganji Temple, and his handwriting can still be seen today at the Miyajima History and Folklore Museum. The tablet at Misen Hondo (the main hall atop Mount Misen) is also known to be Ito’s personal brushwork.<\/p>\n

Building Mountain Trails with Personal Funds<\/h3>\n

Ito’s greatest contribution to Miyajima came in 1906 when he funded the construction of hiking trails up Mount Misen\u2014not with government money, but from his personal fortune. He invested 7,000 yen, equivalent to roughly \u00a525 million (about $170,000 USD) today.<\/p>\n

After reaching the summit, Ito was so moved by the panoramic views that he declared: “The true value of this, one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views, lies in the view from the summit.” These words are carved into a large natural stone monument at Daisho-in Temple, preserving his passion for Mount Misen to this day.<\/p>\n

Ito believed the magnificence of Mount Misen should be shared with people from Japan and abroad, and the new trails made this possible. His investment helped transform Miyajima from an isolated pilgrimage site into an accessible destination for modern travelers. In an era focused on Western-style modernization, Ito found a way to preserve traditional sacred spaces while opening them to the world\u2014a remarkable achievement that shaped Miyajima’s identity as a modern tourist destination.<\/p>\n

The mountain trails Ito funded still carry hikers to the summit today. Understanding the spiritual history of Mount Misen transforms a simple hike into a journey through time. Before planning your climb, learning what made this mountain sacred adds depth to the experience.<\/p>\n

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2025.11.09<\/p>\n

2025.11.27<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n Mount Misen Faith & Nature | 1,200 Years Since Kobo Daishi<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Do you know about Mount Misen, the sacred peak rising behind Miyajima? While Itsukushima Shrine floating on the sea captures most attention, Mount Misen is actually the spiritual heart of Miyajima…<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

How the Shinbutsu Bunri Decree Nearly Destroyed Miyajima<\/h2>\n

In 1868, the new Meiji government issued the shinbutsu bunri (separation of Shinto and Buddhism) decree. For Miyajima, which had practiced the fusion of these religions for over a thousand years, the order came as a devastating blow. Government officials examined Itsukushima Shrine and declared its architecture “Buddhist in style.” The verdict: the sacred buildings should be burned to the ground.<\/p>\n

The Shrine Keeper Who Saved the Buildings<\/h3>\n

The hero who prevented this catastrophe was Nosaka Motonobu, the tanamori (shrine keeper) of Itsukushima Shrine\u2014a position equivalent to today’s chief priest. Nosaka traveled to Tokyo and appealed directly to the Meiji government, successfully halting the destruction order.<\/p>\n

However, the shrine didn’t escape unscathed. Officials stripped away all the colorful painted decorations, deeming them “too Buddhist,” and left the buildings as bare, unpainted wood. They then added chigi (forked finials) and katsuogi (log-shaped ornaments) to the rooflines\u2014features typically found on Shinto shrines\u2014in an attempt to make the buildings look more “properly Shinto.” These drastic changes transformed the shrine’s appearance in the name of “restoration.”<\/p>\n

Temples Abolished and Buildings Renamed<\/h3>\n

Senjokaku, the massive wooden hall known as “Pavilion of a Thousand Tatami Mats,” suffered its own fate. Workers cut off the decorative wooden nose-pieces (kibana) from its interior and removed all Buddhist statues. The hall was then renamed Toyokuni Shrine and designated a subordinate shrine. Across the island, temple after temple was abolished\u2014only seven major temples survived the purge. Buddhist statues from Itsukushima Shrine, Senjokaku, and the Five-Story Pagoda were relocated to the surviving temples.<\/p>\n

Daisho-in and Daiganji, which had served as betto-ji (administrative temples) managing shrine affairs for centuries, became independent temples. But the intimate relationship they had maintained with Itsukushima Shrine for generations was severed overnight.<\/p>\n

The Modern Shrine Ranking System and Itsukushima’s Status<\/h2>\n

The Meiji government positioned Shinto shrines as state institutions and introduced the modern shakaku (shrine ranking) system, classifying all shrines nationwide by grade. This was part of a broader policy to establish Shinto as the national religion and bring all shrines under government control. For Miyajima, this new system became another turning point in its transformation.<\/p>\n

From Kokuhei-chusha to Kanpei-chusha<\/h3>\n

In 1871, Itsukushima Shrine was designated as a kokuhei-chusha (middle-rank national shrine). This classification meant the shrine received offerings from the national treasury during the Kinensai and Niinamesai harvest festivals.<\/p>\n

Then in 1911, the shrine was elevated to kanpei-chusha (middle-rank imperial shrine). Imperial shrines held higher prestige than national shrines, receiving offerings directly from the Imperial Household during annual festivals. This promotion officially recognized Itsukushima Shrine’s historical and cultural significance at the national level, formally establishing Miyajima’s value within the framework of the modern Japanese state.<\/p>\n

The Beginning of Cultural Heritage Protection<\/h3>\n

In the late Meiji period, the shrine buildings were designated as National Treasures. This triggered a major restoration project from the late Meiji through Taisho periods, reversing the damage caused by the shinbutsu bunri decree. Workers restored the colorful painted decorations that had been stripped away, and removed the chigi and katsuogi that had been added during the religious separation. This is why photographs of Itsukushima Shrine from the Meiji era show these Shinto architectural features\u2014while today’s shrine does not.<\/p>\n

This restoration represented an effort to protect cultural heritage value while recovering the shrine’s original appearance. The buildings that had been forcibly altered during modernization gradually regained their historical form. It stands as an important example of how Japanese society came to value cultural preservation during the modernization process\u2014evidence that people of that era seriously confronted the challenge of balancing tradition with progress.<\/p>\n

Rebuilding the Great Torii Gate in the Modern Era<\/h2>\n

In 1875, the deteriorating Great Torii gate was reconstructed. This eighth-generation torii is the same iconic structure visitors see today, the very symbol of Itsukushima Shrine. Even as modernization swept through Japan, the torii was rebuilt using traditional construction methods\u2014a testament to the skill and dedication of Miyajima’s craftspeople.<\/p>\n

Finding suitable camphor trees for the main pillars took years. Eventually, the natural timber was sourced from Saito City in Miyazaki Prefecture and Marugame City in Kagawa Prefecture. Other materials came from Hiroshima City and Miyajima itself.<\/p>\n

Building such a massive structure\u2014approximately 16 meters tall with main pillars measuring about 10 meters in circumference\u2014from natural timber required techniques passed down from the Edo period. The Meiji-era reconstruction embodied the challenge Japan faced: adopting Western technology while preserving traditional craftsmanship. This spirit of balancing innovation with heritage was shared by all those who guided Miyajima through its modernization.<\/p>\n

Understanding why the torii stands in the sea\u2014and the engineering genius behind its construction\u2014reveals the wisdom of generations past. Tracing the history from Taira no Kiyomori’s era to today changes how you see this landscape. Knowing the background before your visit makes the shrine buildings and torii gate come alive with meaning.<\/p>\n

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2025.10.12<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n History & Significance of the Great Torii | Sacred Marker in the Sea<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine, rising from the sea, continues to captivate visitors as one of Japan’s most iconic cultural treasures. This magnificent structure represents more than just a shrine entrance…<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

How the Meiji Restoration Transformed Miyajima<\/h2>\n

The Meiji Restoration brought sweeping changes to Miyajima: the chaos of religious separation, state control through the shrine ranking system, the birth of cultural heritage protection, and development as a tourist destination. These transformations created tension between the island’s ancient identity as a place of pilgrimage and the demands of modernization.<\/p>\n

Through it all, individuals rose to the challenge: Ito Hirobumi investing \u00a525 million to build Mount Misen’s trails; Nosaka Motonobu saving the shrine from destruction; and the craftspeople and officials who carried out the late Meiji restoration. Their efforts preserved Miyajima’s cultural value through turbulent times while working toward a balance between progress and tradition.<\/p>\n

The Miyajima we see today was shaped by the transformations of the Meiji era. The landscape retains traces of the old shinbutsu-shugo tradition while being protected under modern cultural heritage laws\u2014all built upon the decisions and actions of those who navigated the island through a time of crisis. Thanks to Ito Hirobumi and others who dedicated themselves to Miyajima during the Meiji period, the island survived the waves of modernization and continues to welcome visitors today.<\/p>\n

FAQ<\/h2>\n

What happened to Itsukushima Shrine during the Shinbutsu Bunri religious separation?<\/h3>\n

Government officials declared the shrine buildings “Buddhist in style” and ordered them burned. Shrine keeper Nosaka Motonobu traveled to Tokyo and successfully appealed to stop the destruction. However, workers stripped away all painted decorations, leaving bare wood, and added Shinto architectural features like chigi and katsuogi. These changes were later reversed during Meiji-era restorations.<\/p>\n

How did Ito Hirobumi contribute to Miyajima?<\/h3>\n

Japan’s first Prime Minister was a devoted believer in the Sankidaigongen deity of Mount Misen. In 1906, he personally funded construction of mountain hiking trails at a cost of \u00a57,000 (approximately \u00a525 million or $170,000 USD today). His famous quote\u2014”The true value of this scenic wonder lies in the view from the summit”\u2014is carved on a stone monument at Daisho-in Temple.<\/p>\n

When was the current Great Torii gate built?<\/h3>\n

The torii you see today is the eighth generation, rebuilt in 1875. The massive camphor wood pillars were sourced from Miyazaki and Kagawa prefectures after a years-long search. Standing about 16 meters tall with pillars measuring 10 meters in circumference, it was constructed using traditional techniques passed down from the Edo period.<\/p>\n

What is the difference between the Meiji-era shrine photos and today’s shrine?<\/h3>\n

Photographs from the Meiji period show Itsukushima Shrine with chigi (forked finials) and katsuogi (log ornaments) on the roofline\u2014features that don’t appear today. These were added during the shinbutsu bunri period to make the shrine look more “properly Shinto” but were removed during the late Meiji restoration when the shrine was designated a National Treasure.<\/p>\n

How many temples survived the Meiji religious separation on Miyajima?<\/h3>\n

Only seven major temples survived the abolition orders. Daisho-in and Daiganji, which had managed shrine affairs for centuries, became independent temples. Buddhist statues from the shrine, Senjokaku, and the Five-Story Pagoda were relocated to these surviving temples.<\/p>\n

What was Itsukushima Shrine’s rank in the modern shrine system?<\/h3>\n

The shrine was initially ranked as kokuhei-chusha (middle-rank national shrine) in 1871, then elevated to kanpei-chusha (middle-rank imperial shrine) in 1911. The higher imperial ranking meant the shrine received offerings directly from the Imperial Household during festivals, officially recognizing its national importance.<\/p>\n

Can I still see evidence of Ito Hirobumi’s connection to Miyajima?<\/h3>\n

Yes. His calligraphic tablets remain at Sankido Hall, Daiganji Temple, and Misen Hondo on the mountaintop. His handwriting is also displayed at the Miyajima History and Folklore Museum. The stone monument at Daisho-in Temple preserves his famous quote about Mount Misen’s summit views.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

The Meiji Restoration brought dramatic upheaval to Miyajima. Japan’s first Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi invested approximately \u00a525 million of his personal fortune to build Mount Misen’s hiking trails. Shrine keeper Nosaka Motonobu saved Itsukushima Shrine from government orders to burn the buildings. The modern shrine ranking system elevated the shrine to imperial status in 1911. Through the dedication of these individuals, Miyajima weathered the storms of modernization and emerged as a protected cultural treasure that continues to flourish today. The island we experience now stands on the foundation laid by those who defended and shaped Miyajima during one of Japan’s most transformative eras.<\/p>\n

References<\/h2>\n
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  1. Itsukushima Shrine \u2013 Wikipedia (Japanese)<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. History of Miyajima | Miyajima Tourist Association<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Ito Hirobumi’s Connection to Miyajima | Miyajima Tourist Association<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Restoration and Preservation of World Heritage “Itsukushima Shrine” | Ocean Policy Research Institute<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Modern Shrine Ranking System \u2013 Wikipedia (Japanese)<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Shinbutsu Bunri \u2013 Wikipedia (Japanese)<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. About Mount Misen | Daisho-in Temple<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1955,"template":"","featured_category":[14],"class_list":["post-1949","featured","type-featured","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","featured_category-history-culture"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured\/1949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/featured"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"featured_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japan-stroll.com\/miyajima\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_category?post=1949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}