A place in Japan where it is forbidden to die by law (6 photos)

And there's no point in being born here either! This is a very beautiful place called Itsukushima Island, and it's sacred. Have you seen the photos of the tall red gates that go into the water? Surely it was a photo of that island, but that's not its main feature.





Here is the very arch, next to which the emperor himself forbade dying

And the fact is that it is forbidden to die and be born here

There are just under 2 thousand people living here, these are small villages, the inhabitants of which sail on boats or ferries to work or to shop. The journey by water to the mainland takes only 15 minutes. In fact, it is great to live like this, it is like being on an island, and it is like being very close to civilization.

The place is called Itsukushima after the temple, which is considered the main attraction of the island. But earlier the place was called Miyajima, which literally means island-sanctuary.



As you can see, everything is on stilts - this is all the bitter experience of dozens of destructions of other temples

That is, the island was originally populated in the 7th century for religious ritual purposes, so special rules were established here from the very beginning. The first temple built here was dedicated to the daughters of the god of wind Susanoo. Of course, it did not survive to this day in its original form - too many tsunamis, fires, even wars.





This is truly the embodiment of the spirit of Japan

That is why all the buildings were gradually, with each new decree, placed on piles to protect them from high waves. Finally, everything was raised "to the sky" in the 12th century, so now there are images of Japanese architecture of the 12th century.



A classic that's already a thousand years old!

This is a very expensive looking Torii gate 16 winds high, which is why it's on the shortlist of "Three Famous Landscapes of Japan". It's made of camphor wood, which is resistant to moisture, so it's been standing for almost a thousand years! It's crazy.

But you still can't see all the buildings, it's still a fully functioning sanctuary where monks live, and they won't let you onto their territory. It's a shame.

Judging by everything, the monks there are really cool. For example, they knitted 500 garden hats from stone Buddha statues themselves! Great work and skill.



How cute, everyone will be warm in winter

Why can't you give birth here?

The Emperor banned it in 1878, so it's better for heavily pregnant women not to come here. The Japanese are law-abiding, so since the decree, the ban on death and birth has NEVER been violated.

And all because it is believed that these high gates are the door to the spirit world. And if you give birth here, the balance will be disturbed - the spirits will rush through the gates. The same with the dead.



You can only approach the gates on foot during low tide

I wonder what will happen if you give birth there?!