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In the thirteenth century, a power spot was once again uncovered on Sado Island in the Myosenji Temple region. It is believed that the region was home to a Kofun village and burial grounds better known in Japan as Kofun mounds. While leading photo tour expeditions across Japan, I am able to explain in detail facts of ancient wood, stone carvings, and priceless iron cast artifacts dating from the 6th century to the present day. But when it comes to a period in Japan known as the Kofun period and explaining the facts and dates of this period’s artifacts, I run into a stone wall from time to time. The reason I hit a barrier is that the Imperial Family is the caretaker of the Kofun period sites and only recognizes a pitiful percentage of the nation’s treasure trove of over 170,000 Kofun mounds that are known to exist. The information ranges from non-existent to extremely limited, so my explanation turns toward folklore and oral accounts and storytelling about Kofun mounds in locations throughout Japan. As a historian, I do not like offering folklore as a historical fact because it borders on conspiracy theory, and over 95% of the time, I want nothing to do with conspiracy theorist’s theories. They spread the worst kind of hearsay and cloud actual fact-finding regarding this important era in Japan’s history.

Niigata's only five-story pagoda on Sado Island, and is believed to be a place of high energy vortex power spot. I took this image while leading a Niigata private photography workshops, with members of NatGeo.

Nikko Tosho-gu is a Tosho-gu Shinto shrine located in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji, it forms the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When I visit Sado Island on a private Niigata historical workshop with camera in hand, Myosenji Temple is a must-see location. The famous Kodō Taiko drumming troupe are also part of my itinerary, most often sought out near Earth Day. Rather than the rhythmic beat of drums, many participants search for a Zen, calming experience akin to a midnight tryst in Tsubame’s milky white hot springs, and it’s also believed that the Kofun Era residents rejuvenating their energy in the same milky white hot springs, especially during full moons. Myosenji Temple resonates with the same Kofun Era energy as Tsubame’s milky white hot springs. The temple is built on the former site of Sadogashima castle and is home to the only 5-story pagoda in Niigata. The story of its construction is a tale in and of itself. To complete the momentous task of constructing the pagoda, it took two master temple carpenter artisans. The first master carpenter artisan took particular interest in training his apprentice because the 2nd carpenter artisan to carry the responsibility of Myosenji Temple’s completion was the 1st son. The pagoda represents Japanese dogma, samurai diligence, and fine attention to detail that is synonymous with a master artisan, and whenever I visit, I ask my participants to find one exposed screw or nail in the pagoda. After several minutes of, “Umm…maybe there” and “that could be one,” I tell my clients and friends who are visiting that there is not one nail or screw in the entire structure. It’s usually at that moment that we step back, take a moment to visually meditate to discover our composition, and, at this point, the Concierge of the Zen forest appears to appease our visual artistry, and the Concierge, if you’ve read any of my other articles, you know he is a harbinger of the beginner’s mindset, to learn more click here to read an article in the luminous landscape.  

An ancient festival that is held annually on Sadao Island, this festival is way off the beaten path, and well worth the visit.

Indoctrination into the ancient workings of Sado Islands ancient festivals. This little one was much more in tune with a twig then the fan dance. I took this image while leading a private Niigata Tour.

Busted for not following the rules of Indoctrination into the ancient workings of this Sado Islands ancient festival. I can not remember what this sweet child did with the twig after starting to dance again.

For those interested in a further injection of history into their Niigata photo workshop experience, I happily share the samurai connections to Myosenji Temple, the details reaching back all the way to the Kamakura Era in Japan. The temple was believed to have been established in 1278 by a monk of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism. The monk, Abutsubo Nittoku Shonin, was formerly a samurai warrior serving the palace guard in Kyoto. He accompanied Emperor Juntoku to Sado Island when the Emperor was exiled due to his complicity in his father’s ill-conceived attempt to unseat the Kamakura bakufu. Shonin stayed with Juntoku until he passed away in 1242.
The temple’s construction is believed to be modeled on the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, but the two temple’s facades speak to the contrast in their location’s characters. Nikko Toshogu is a Tosho-gu Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji, it forms the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nikko is a popular photography workshop location, and millions of visitors capture images of its grandiose shrines, temples, and natural landscapes of Nikko. I know Nikko because I have spent 100s of hours exploring and documenting it. I’m familiar with each piece of architecture on the temple grounds, and I know the region and the best times of day to visit and photograph like I know the back of my hand, and UNESCO has always been kind to me. The Toshogu Shrine glitters gold in the sun and is one of the most spectacular shrines from the entire temple and shrine complex that make up my photo tour of Nikko. By contrast, Myosenji is almost restrained in its appearance, highlighting the skills of the master craftsmen in completing it. Myosenji Temple focuses on function more than form, and the pagoda serves as a spiritual lightning rod focusing the power spot’s energy into a powerful vortex.
As part of my private Niigata photo workshop, I always include the temple grounds as part of the calming and refreshing photography experience. The gardens and pond on the grounds are diligently maintained, and they make an excellent frame for photos of the temple and the pagoda as well. The pagoda, grounds, and temple all bespeak authentic Japan, which I love so much, and part of the reason why I decided to call Niigata my home.

Kegon Falls is located at Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park near the city of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The falls were formed when the Daiya River was rerouted by lava flows.

Sotokaifu Coastline, Onogame is a 167-meter high monolith projecting into the sea. I took this image while leading a private Niigata photography workshop

The Earth Celebration and lantern dancers/True Sado. I took this image while leading my annual private Niigata tour during the earth day festival celebration.

Allow Me To Show You A One of a Kind Historic Samurai Temple Experience into True Sado Niigata Japan
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