The Shinkyo Bridge (神橋, Shinkyō, “sacred bridge”) to Nikkō Futarasan Shrine.
SACRED BRIDGE AT NIKKO
by Francis Brinkley.
Shinkyo Bridge (神橋, Shinkyō, “sacred bridge”) to Nikkō Futarasan Shrine.
This bridge, which spans a mountain stream flowing between the village of Nikko and the enclosure containing the twenty-eight great Nikko temples, was built in 1638. It is 84 feet long and 18 feet wide. It was formerly closed to all persons except the Shoguns, save twice a year when it was opened to pilgrims. It is now kept constantly closed except to the Emperor, who as a special mark of distinction invited General Grant to use the bridge upon the occasion of his visit to Nikko. With characteristic modesty General Grant refrained from exercising his privilege.
Source: JAPAN. Described and Illustrated by the Japanese. Written by Eminent Japanese Authorities and Scholars. Edited by Captain F. Brinkley (1841 – 1912) of Tokyo Japan. With an Essay on Japanese Art by Kakuzo Okakura (1860 – 1929) Director of the Imperial Art School at Tokyo Japan. 1897.
