Book Introduction

Over the years he kept returning to Japan and in 1973 as well as in 1993 he attended the sengu, the vicennial renewal of the shrines, an event absolutely without parallel in any other culture of the world. Through following the reconstruction work and the related ceremonies Svend Hvass gathered sufficient information to arrange an exhibition about the shrines, subsequently shown in several European cities. In 1996 the exhibition also visited Ise, as a result of an initiative taken by the local Association of Architects, on the occasion of the 2000 year celebrations of the mythological origin of the shrines. A few years later his book was published: "Ise - Japan's Ise Shrines - Ancient yet New". The book was well received and in The Japan Times Donald Richie wrote: "This new volume is certainly the best on the cultural aspects of the renewal ceremonies."

Give your English speaking friends a gift forever: The book about Ise Jingu written by Svend Hvass: "ISE - Japan's Ise Shrines - Ancient yet New". Available for 7000 Yen. Contact Koda Takayoshi Tel. 0596-25-3671