More from the shrine

 The doors of the small shrine (last picture yesterday) were open so I could see the altar. There was a mirror, which generally represents the sun god. There was also a sake, rice wine, container in front of that, but since the top was lying beside it, it was probably empty.

 I walked around the main shrine. As is usual, the shrine consisted of a roofed open area and a smaller building behind in which the main altar is hidden. These are usually only opened on special occasions.

I walked around to the front and looked in through the barred wooden door that prevents access to the hall way connecting to the altar building. Inside was a statue of one of the Seven Gods of Chinese mythology. Each god has a special attribute, such as bringing money. I am not sure which one this is supposed to be.

More from the shrine

 This is a large stone basin. I do not remember seeing anything like this in Sendai or the other places where I have lived. These basins must be something unique to this area. I will try to find out what they represent, but I do not know who to consult.

 This is the main shrine building from the side. As usual the entrance is flanked by stone lanterns. The entrance to the building is hidden behind the lantern.

This little shrine is about as high as I am. It is toward the back of the grounds.

Another shrine

 I walked a little farther and found the other shrine, Keikogu. On the edge of the grounds, near the entrance, I found this sign. It shows the trees on the grounds that are protected by the city of Fukuoka. It was at this point that I realized that I had left Nakagawa-machi and had entered Fukuoka. I had not realized the dividing line was so close to my apartment.

 This is the shrine as seen from the entrance to the grounds.

I had never seen shimenawa that were covered with plastic to protect them from the elements. Usually they are very weathered looking.

At Hozenji

 Since yesterday I have done some research and found that this temple is called Hozenji and that it belongs to the Jodoshinshu sect. This means that this statue most likely represents Shinran, the Buddhist priest who founded the sect. Jodoshinshu is a Buddhist sect that says that the mindful vocalization of the phrase Namu Amida Butsu ("I take refuge in Amida Buddha") is enough for the practitioner to enter the Pure Land, a kind of heaven.

 

 I left the little door and and followed the road around the temple. On the other side I found this entrance gate. It is quite unusual as the temple bell is on the second floor of the gate. I assume they did this because the grounds are very small.

A quick look inside revealed that there was little to see. The statue of Shinran was out of the picture to the left. There were no gardens or other statues. I decided to leave and go in search of the second shrine that was supposed to be in the area.