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The master artisanship and architectural splendor, the shrines and temples of Nikko.

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The mountains and forests of Nikko in the northwest of Tochigi Prefecture in Japan

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have been regarded as the hallowed ground of Shugendo for over 1200 years.

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Within the Nikko complex are two shrines and one temple inscribed as world heritage.

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The Futarasan shrine, dedicated to the god of Mount Nantai, is one of the two shrines.

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Its pavilion is the oldest building in Nikko.

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The Rinoji temple also has a very long history.

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It became a place of pilgrimage for devotees of Japanese mountain worship.

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The Toshogu enshrines Ieyasu Togugawa, the founder of the Edo government.

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The imposing Yomeimon is known for its lavish decoration.

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Toshogu was completed in 1617 by the third shogun of the Edo shogunate, Iemitsu.

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This sculpture of Ieyasu in the Karamon of the main chamber where Ieyasu is enshrined

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depicts him as a Chinese emperor.

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The reconstruction of Toshogu shrine by Iemitsu is a reflection of the artisanship

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and the architectural splendor of the Edo period.

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These craftsmen are repairing decorative gilded fittings called Kazari Kanagu.

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First they burn off dirt and old gilt and then re-gild using traditional techniques of the Edo period.

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Lacquer has protected the wooden structure from the humid Nikko climate.

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You can see numerous layers of lacquer showing through this cut surface.

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It tells us something of the long history of restoration work.

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Lacquer coating involves more than 30 different procedures.

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All restoration work still uses the same materials and processes as used during the Edo period.

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The shrines and temples of Nikko focus the arts and skills of the time

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to demonstrate the power of the Edo government.

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The magnificence of Nikko has been protected, preserved and passed on

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by a long line of past and present master craftsmen using Edo period technique to this day.