Okinawa, Japan | Yasaka Shrine—Mottled wooden doors, shimenawa ropes and paper hangings fluttering in the wind, the protection of Susanoo provides peace of mind in its simple presence

At the end of a quiet lane, I came upon Yasaka Shrine. It lacked a grand torii gate or a magnificent shrine, simply a small wooden shrine, standing quietly. The sliding doors, covered with translucent patterned glass, bore the marks of time. The shimenawa ropes and white paper hangings beneath the eaves swayed gently in the breeze, reminding us that this is still the abode of the gods. Standing before the gate, I felt not prosperity but a sense of protection close to the heart. Yasaka Shrines, often enshrined throughout Japan, are known for their deity, Susanoo, a symbol of protection and protection. Perhaps, precisely because of its simplicity, it is closer to the essence of faith—not for grandeur, but for peace of mind.