Obverse design: Yomei–mon Gate of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a mausoleum of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu (1542~1616), the founder of Tokugawa shogunate. It was registered as World Heritage Site, together with Arayama Shrine and Rinno–ji Temple, as "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" in 1999. Yomei–mon Gate, a symbol of the shrine, was founded under the command of the third Shogun TOKUGAWA Iemitsu in 1635. It was named after "Yomei–mon Gate", one of the twelve great gates of the Heian Palace in Kyoto. The plate engraved "Tosho Daigongen", honorific title of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu, is hung in front, which was given by Emperor Goyozei. Also, Yomei–mon Gate has another name, "Higurashi–mon", meaning "Day–passing Gate". This is because inside of the gate is decked with 508 sculptures as well as brilliant colored ornaments, and you cannot be bored even after seeing them all the day. Common reverse design of 1000 yen silver coin: Snow Crystals, Moon and Cherry Blossoms.
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