Showing posts with label - - Kojiki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label - - Kojiki. Show all posts

08/03/2020

Ishigami Stone Deity

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
. Shinto Shrines (jinja 神社) - Introduction .
. kami 神 Shinto deities .
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - Iwagami 岩神 Rock Deity - - -

手力男命 / 天之手力男神 / 天手力男神 Ame no Tajikara Onokami, Amenotajikara O no Kami
天手力男神 Amenotadikaraonokmi / Ame-no-tajikarao 



. Ishigami 石神 Stone Deity .
- - - The related deity Iwagami is introduced on this page:

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Iwagami 岩神 "rock deity"
Often a special rock or boulder venerated by the villagers.


source and more photos: maebasisi/IwagamiInari...

御岩神社 - 岩神稲荷神社 Iwagami Inari Jinja
群馬県前橋市昭和町3-29-6 Gunma, Maebashi city, Showa town
In the back of the shrine is a huge boulder, iwagami no tobiishi 岩神の飛石 "the flying stone of the rock deity".


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- Reference : kojiki.kokugakuin...

. shingun 神軍 / jingun ジングン heavenly army phenomenon .
Stones like arrowheads falling from the sky.

. Shrine, Shinto Shrine (jinja 神社) - Introduction .

. kami 神 Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


. Legends and Tales from Japan 伝説 - Introduction .

- - - Iwagami 岩神 often refers to an unusual rock formation, venerated as a deity.



....................................................................... Aichi 愛知県 .....
.......................................................................
豊川市 Toyokawa city 八幡町 Yawata town // 岩神

uwabami うわばみ is an old name for a large serpent.

Once upon a time, there lived a huge serpent in the area, as big as a huge tree. It caused a lot of damage to the local farmers. So they hired a Samurai to kill the serpent. They took the head of the serpent and venerated it.
uwabami うわばみ / 蟒蛇 is an old name for a very large serpent. In the local dialect, it changed to Iwagami.
The Uwabami name later changed to Orochi おろち, a serpent that likes Sake rice wine and is represented in the legend of
. Yamata no Orochi (ヤマタノオロチ) 八岐大蛇、八俣遠呂智、八俣遠呂知, .

- quote -
Translation: giant snake, great serpent
Alternate names: orochi, daija
Habitat: wilderness
Diet: carnivorous, very fond of alcohol; gluttonous
Appearance:
Uwabami are enormous serpents. Apart from their incredible size, they closely resemble ordinary snakes. They make their homes in the wilderness, far from civilization.
- Details are here :
- source : yokai.com/uwabami -





....................................................................... Fukushima 福島県 .....
.......................................................................
館村 Datemura village // 岩神明神

tora no maki 虎之巻 scroll with a tiger
Once upon a time, umakata 馬方 the owner of a horse was on his way home when he met an old ill pilgrim on the road. He took him to his home and nursed him. Just before his death, the pilgrim said: "This is a secret scroll, you must never look at it!" and gave him the scroll.
Later there was a fire in the village and the horse owner took the scroll and brought it to the shrine where 岩神明神 Iwagami Myojin is venerated.
It stayed there with its name, Scroll with a Tiger and nobody has ever looked at it.

. umakata 馬方 owner of a horse .




....................................................................... Hiroshima 広島県 .....
.......................................................................
庄原市 Shobara city 東城町 Tojo town

. Ishigami san 石神さん The Venerable Stone Deity .




....................................................................... Kagawa 香川県 .....
.......................................................................
高松市 Takamatsu city 東植田町 Higashi-Ueta town // 岩神

Tanuki-chi タヌキ地 / 狸地 "Tanuki land"
At the foot of the mountain there are two rocks, venreated as 岩神 Iwagami.
East of them there was a small field, but people should not use it because bad things would happen. Tanuki, the messenger of Iwagami, would play his tricks.
So this field was called Tanuki-chi タヌキ地 / 狸地 "Tanuki land".

. tanuki 狸 - mujina 狢 - racoon dog, badger legends .




....................................................................... Kyoto 京都府 .....
.......................................................................
上京区 Kamigyo ward

. Iwagami Jinja 岩上神社 / 岩神祠 / 岩神さん / Iwagami 石神 / イワガミ .





....................................................................... Miyazaki 宮崎県 .....
.......................................................................
西都市 Saito city 銀鏡 Shiromi // 石神

tatsu no koma 龍の駒 horse of a dragon
On the Westernn slope of 龍房山 Mount Ryubusuyama there is a hamlet called 秋切集落 Akkiri.
There is 石神 a stone deity named Ryu no Tama 龍之玉. In the nearby river the tatsu no koma 龍の駒 horse of the deity comes do drink.



銀鏡(しらみ)神社 Shirami Jinja / 銀鏡神社(しろみ神社) Shiromi Shrine
- reference source : pmiyazaki.com/siromi_j... -



....................................................................... Nara 奈良県 .....
.......................................................................
五條市 Gojo city 小島町 Kojima town // 岩神

In the hamlet of Kojima the ground is of one solid piece of rock. All stones and rocks around it are seen as
岩神様 Iwagami Sama.
Is someone takes a stone away, he will be cursed, there will be sickness in his family and people will die, the family will die out.
The villagers hold rituals at a small shrine to appease the deity.


Iwagami Jinja 岩神神社
415 Kojimacho, Gojo, Nara
For the veneration of the huge rock.
source and more photos : ameblo.jp/keith4862...

..............................................................................................................................................

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

.......................................................................


. Oiwa Jinja 御岩神社 / お岩神社 / Kabire Jingu 賀毘礼神宮.
in Ibaraki, with a Tengu.
Isonokami, iso no kami 石上 (ishi no ue) 石上サン on a rock

Ryugan Jinja 龍岩神社 in Shimane -- タツイワ様 Tatsuiwa San

Shiraiwa Jinja 白岩神社 in Kochi

.......................................................................

(蒲生郡安土町老蘇式内奥石神社『神社本紀』)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #ishigami #stonedeity #stone #rock #iwagami -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

24/06/2017

Amewakahiko

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
. kami 神 Shinto deities - Introduction .
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Amewakahiko, Ame-Waka-Hiko 天若日子 / 天稚彦  / あめわかひこ
Ame wakahiko / Ame no wakahiko




- quote -
The child of Amatsukunitama. In preparation for the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild (tenson kōrin), Amenohohi was first sent from the Plain of High Heaven to the residence of the earth kami Ōkuninushi, to pacify the Central Land of Reed Plains and engage in negotiations for its transfer to the Heavenly Grandchild. Amenohohi did not return, however, with the result that Amenowakahiko was entrusted with bow and arrow from the heavenly kami, and dispatched with the same mission. According to Kojiki, this appointment was at the recommendation of Omoikane, while Nihongi states that it was at the recommendation of all the heavenly kami.

Amewakahiko, however, took to wife Shitateruhime, the daughter of Ōkuninushi, and made plans to rule himself over the Central Land. Like his predecessor, Amewakahiko sent no report back to the Plain of High Heaven, with the result that Takamimusuhi and others convened a council of the heavenly kami; upon deliberation, they decided to dispatch the pheasant Nakime to inquire of Amewakahiko's true intentions. But Amawakahiko, urged on by Amenosagume, used the bow and arrow received from the heavenly kami to shoot the pheasant Nakime. The arrow pierced Nakime and continued to climb to heaven where it was found by Takamimusuhi; discerning the false heart of Amewakahiko, he flung the arrow back down at the Central Land where it struck Amewakahiko mortally in the breast.
Nihongi records that at the time he was killed, Amewakahiko was resting after observing the festival of first fruits (Niinamesai), while Kojiki states that he was lying in bed one morning. The histories relate that this event was the origin of the maxim, "fear a returning arrow," and the story is also touched upon in the "norito for the exorcism of a vengeful deity" (Tataru kami utsushiyarau).

Amewakahiko's name is mentioned in the fragmentary records of the Settsu no kuni fudoki, the Utsubo monogatari, Sagoromo monogatari, as well as the later Otogi zōshi. His name appears to have been widely used as a generic reference to male deities who descended from heaven to earth.
Deities called Amewakahiko are worshiped at some shikinaisha in the province of Izumo.
- source : Mori Mizue 2005 - Kokugakuin -

..............................................................................................................................................




- quote -
A Demon in the Sky:
The Tale of Amewakahiko, a Japanese Medieval Story

By Reider, Noriko T.

In most cultures demons and dragons reside at the heart of the supernatural, where their distinct status reflects their various cultural roles. This is also true of Japanese culture and folklore, where these creatures play prominent roles.
For present-day Japanese, oni (demons or ogres) typically reside in Buddhist hell to punish mortal sinners, but for their medieval counterparts, the oni's role and the space oni occupied were much more flexible. Perhaps a prime example of this is Amewakahiko söshi (Tale of Amewakahiko; fifteenth century), a fictional story that recounts one legendary origin of Tanabata (Festival of the Weaver, the Star Festival), the celebration of the annual meeting of the Weaver Maid and the Cowherd, who represent the stars Vega and Altair, respectively. In this version of the Tanabata story, an oni is standing in the beautiful serene sky. This oni turns out to be the father of a kairyüö (Kairyu-O, a dragon king of the ocean) who also lives in the sky. This dragon king calls himself Amewakahiko (sometimes Amewakamiko), hence the title.

The plot of The Tale of Amewakahiko
is similar to "Cupid and Psyche" by Lucius Apuleius (second century CE). Some scholars in Japan recognize "Cupid and Psyche" as the source of The Tale of Amewakahiko, and others read the dragon king's tale as indigenous to Japan. Although there is no finally persuasive evidence that the Japanese tale was influenced by "Cupid and Psyche," it is worthwhile to examine the Apuleian tale's connection to The Tale of Amewakahiko and to share these different scholarly perspectives from Japan in an English-language publication. Thus in this essay I discuss the various possible origins of the tale. Thinking of The Tale of Amewakahiko in a Japanese folkloric and literary context reveals a specifically medieval Japanese view of space boundaries (or lack thereof) of underground, earth, and heaven that oni and a dragon travel; it also suggests that studies of ancient and classical Japanese literature (periods of ancient and classical literature, 645-1185 CE) by medieval Japanese scholars influenced the choice of the characters' names and their actions in this tale.



--- Plot and Genre of The Tale of Amewakahiko
One day a huge serpent appears in front of a wealthy family's house. The serpent demands one of the family's three daughters for his wife or, he threatens, he will destroy the whole family. The two older daughters refuse, but the youngest daughter consents. A huge house is built near a pond as part of the wedding preparations requested by the serpent, and there, alone, she awaits her snake husband. When the gigantic serpent appears, he asks the girl to cut off his head. As she does so, a handsome, young gentleman appears, and they live happily in their newly built house. After a while, the husband reveals his true identity as a dragon king of the ocean and tells the girl that he must go to the sky to do some business. He tells her how to find him in the sky if he does not come back. He then orders her not to open a certain treasure chest-if the chest is opened, he tells her, he will not be able to return to earth. While he is away, her two older sisters visit her and become jealous of her wealth and happiness. They open the treasure chest from which only smoke arises. When the girl learns that her husband cannot return anymore, she goes to Kyoto as instructed by her husband before he left and buys a gourd whose vine grows to the sky in one night.

Climbing the vine up to the sky, the girl journeys in search of her husband, whose name, the reader has learned, is Amewakahiko (or Amewakamiko). With great difficulty, she finally finds him. Although they are happy together, Amewakahiko expresses his concern that if his father, an oni, becomes aware of her, there could be trouble. So whenever his father visits him, the dragon king changes his wife into a pillow or fan. But the secret is finally revealed one day, and the oni-father takes her away and imposes on her four difficult tasks. …
- source : questia.com/library/journal -

..............................................................................................................................................


. Onipedia - 鬼ペディア - Oni Demons - ABC-List - Index - .

. Ryuu-oo 竜王 Ryu-O - The Dragon King .


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Amewakahiko Jinja 天稚彦神社 Shrine Amewakahiko



Built during the 戦国時代 Period of the Warring States by 高野瀬氏 Lord Takanose to protect his castle, the town and his people.
Many people come here on the 17th of each month to celebrate and attend rituals.

- reference : 天稚彦神社 -


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::




Amewakahiko Sooshi, sōshi 天稚彦草子 Amewakahiko Soshi scroll
Scroll of the Tale of Amewakahiko

painter: Tosa Hirochika (Japanese, c. 1439-1492)







- reference source : amewakahiko soshi -

..............................................................................................................................................



Klassische Weisheiten aus Japan: Mit der Bilderrolle 'Amewakahiko no soshi'
Kurzer, Michael

Beim Büchlein “Klassische Weisheiten aus Japan” handelt es sich um eine äußerst überschaubare Sammlung von japanischen Sprichwörtern, Märchen und poetischen und religiösen Texten. Dazwischen sorgt die Bilderrolle “Amewakahiko no soushi” des Malers Fujiwara Tosa Hirokane für Abwechslung.
source : japaninfo.at/news/buch


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- Reference : 天稚彦 / アメノワカヒコ
- Reference : Amewakahiko


. Shrine, Shinto Shrine (jinja 神社) - Introduction .

. kami 神 Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

. Tanabata 七夕 The Star Festival .


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #amewakahiko #amenowakahiko -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

19/04/2014

Ninigi and Sakuyahime

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ninigi ニニギ and Sakuyahime 咲屋姫命 / 咲耶姫
瓊瓊杵尊 - 瓊々杵尊 - 邇邇芸命
Amenikishi ... 天邇岐志国邇岐志天津日高日子番能邇邇芸命、天邇岐志、国邇岐志、天日高日子


source : www.pauch.com/kss
Ninigi and Sakuyahime 木花之佐久屋比売 / 木花咲耶姫

- quote
Ninigi

[Ame ni kishi kuni ni kishi amatsu hiko hiko ho no ninigi no mikoto] (Kojiki)

Other names:
Amatsu hiko hiko ho no ninigi no mikoto, Amatsu hiko ho no ninigi no mikoto, Hiko ho no ninigi no mikoto(Kojiki), Amatsu hiko kuni teru hiko hono ninigi no mikoto, Amatsu hikone ho no ninigi no mikoto, Ame kuni nigishi hiko ho no ninigi no mikoto, Ame no ki hohokise no mikoto(Nihongi)

The kami who, as grandchild of Amaterasu ōmikami, descended from the Plain of High Heaven (Takamanohara) to the peak of Takachiho in Hyūga of Tsukushi (present-day Kyushu) to rule over the "Central Land of Reed Plains" (Ashihara no Nakatsukuni). Offspring of Amenooshihomimi and Takagi no kami's daughter Yorozuhatahime.

The three generations of kami beginning with Ninigi are sometimes called the "three generations of Hyūga," and represent the transitional period between the heavenly kami and the first emperor Jinmu. Ninigi's name is often associated with numerous honorific descriptives, including Amatsuhikohikohono (heaven-man, sun-child, rice ears), Amatsuhiko Kuniteruhiko-hono (heaven-man land-illuminate-man, rice-ears). Amatsumioyahiko-hono (heaven-parent man rice-ears), and Amekuninigishihiko-hono (heaven-land vigorous-man rice-ears)

While the precise meaning of many of these names is debated, they all denote a male kami of the "heavenly kami" lineage, related in some way to rice production.

According to Kojiki and Nihongi, Ninigi's father Oshihomimi was first commanded to descend and rule the Central Land of Reed Plains, but Ninigi was born while the Central Land was being pacified in preparation for Oshihomimi's descent. The main text of Nihongi states that Ninigi's grandfather Takamimusuhi raised him with particular affection. Furnished by Amaterasu and Takamimusuhi with five retainer kami, as well as with the symbolic sword, mirror and jewel, Ninigi descended in place of his father Oshihomimi. He married the daughter of the "earthly kami" (kunitsukami) named Ōyamatsumi, and later fathered the first emperor Jinmu as well as the ancestors of the Owari and Hayato clans. According to the main text of Nihongi, Ninigi was buried in the mausoleum of Hyūga-no-e in Tsukushi (Kyushu).

According to Kojiki, the five kami who accompanied Ninigi at the time of his descent included Amenokoyane and Futodama (both of whom performed divination at the time of Amaterasu's hiding away in the rock cave of heaven); Amenouzume (who underwent possession and lured Amaterasu from the cave); Ishikoridome (ancestral kami of the mirror-making clans); and Tamanooya no mikoto (ancestral kami of the jewel-making clans). The same kami names are listed as retainers in an "alternate writing" recorded by Nihongi.

Other kami accompanying Ninigi included Omoikane, Tajikarao, and Amenoiwatowake, while Amenooshihi and Amatsukume no mikoto (ancestor of the Kume no Atai clan) went before Ninigi carrying bows, arrows, swords, and other weapons. Sendai kuji hongi claims that thirty-two kami accompanied Ninigi.
- source : Mori Mizue, Yumiyama Tatsuya - Kokugakuin

..............................................................................................................................................


コノハナノサクヤビメ(ヒメ)- 木花之佐久夜毘売 - 木花開耶姫
Konoha Sakuyabime, Konoha Sakuya Hime 咲耶姫

- quote
Konohanasakuyahime
Other names:
Konohana no sakuya hime (Kojiki), Konohana sakuya hime no mikoto (Nihongi), Kamuatatsu hime, Kamu toyoatatsu hime, Kamu atakaashitsu hime (Nihongi)

The daughter of Ōyamatsumi (according to the main text of Nihongi, the offspring of Ōyamatsumi and a heavenly kami). Married to Ninigi, Konohana Sakuyahime became pregnant in a single night, and gave birth to three children in the midst of fire. The name Konohana ("tree-flower") refers to the short-lived beauty of the cherry blossom, and was given in contrast to Konohana's older sister Iwanagahime, who was ugly but long-lived. Konohana's other names are all associated with the names of the place where she met Ninigi.

According to both Kojiki and Nihongi, Ninigi met the beautiful maiden Sakuyahime at Cape Kasasa and immediately asked for her hand in marriage, and the woman's father Ōyamatsumi happily agreed to the match. Following the marriage, Sakuyahime became pregnant in a single night, and asked Ninigi to make special preparations, since she would be giving birth not to an ordinary individual, but to a child of the heavenly kami (amatsukami). Ninigi, however, was surprised at her claim to have become pregnant in a single night, and suspected that the child was actually the offspring of an earthly kami (kunitsukami).

Shamed and enraged at Ninigi's accusation, Sakuyahime entered a doorless parturition hut, setting fire to it with the vow that the child should not be injured if it were truly the offspring of the heavenly kami Ninigi. Inside the hut, Sakuyahime gave birth to three kami, including Hoderi, Hosuseri, and Hoori (according to Kojiki; the names differ somewhat in the various other accounts).

Also, an "alternate writing" recorded in Nihongi adds that Sakuyahime was not injured in the fire, that the bamboo knife she used to cut the umbilicals of her babies later grew into a bamboo grove, and that rice from a paddy selected by divination was used to prepare firstfruit offerings at harvest. Another account claims that after Sakuyahime safely gave birth, Ninigi admitted that he had believed her from the beginning, but deliberately angered her in order to demonstrate to the people that the children were indeed offspring of a heavenly kami.

Konohana Sakuyahime is one of the enshrined deities (saijin) at Fuji's Asama Jinja.
- source : Mori Mizue - Kokugakuin

.......................................................................

. Sarutahiko densetsu 猿田彦伝説 Sarutahiko Legends .

Niigata 能生町 Noo town

Tenguyama 天狗山 Mount Tenguyama
At the shrine at the top Sarutahiko is worshipped, at the shrine at the bottom of the mountain the deity 此花咲爺姫 / コノハナノサクヤビメ Konohana no Sakuyabime is worshipped.
She is seen as a deity to get pregnant and provide easy childbirth. When women from 藤崎 Tozaki village come here to pray, they will give birth to a boy.

..............................................................................................................................................


- quote
Iwanagahime 磐長姫命
A daughter of Ōyamatsumi. Ōyamatsumi offered both his beautiful daughter Konohana Sakuyahime and her older sister Iwanagahime in marriage to Ninigi. Ninigi, however, could not bear Iwanagahime's unattractive appearance and returned her to her father. According to Kojiki, Ōyamatsumi told Ninigi that he had offered his daughters together with the vow that the life of the emperors would be as eternal as the rocks. But since the elder sister Iwanagahime (lit., "rock-long-princess") was returned, the life of the emperors would henceforth be brief like the blossoms of flowering trees (Konohana Sakuyahime means "tree-flower-blooms-princess").

According to an "alternate writing" transmitted by Nihongi, Iwanagahime was herself embarrassed by the incident and pronounced a curse to the effect that the emperors and all other beings would live lives as evanescent as the tree blossoms. In any event, the two sisters are portrayed as contrasts, and the story is offered as an explanation for the brevity of human life. In later years, however, Iwanagahime came to be revered as a tutelary of longevity. In a different "alternate writing" of Nihongi, Ninigi is portrayed as finding both sisters weaving on a loom in a high palace on the crest of the ocean waves.
- source : Mori Mizue - Kokugakuin


..............................................................................................................................................


. Aoshima Jinja 青島神社 Aoshima Shrine - Miyazaki .
Hyuuga no Kuni 日向之国 The Land of Hyuga


Ninigi, a god of Japanese myth, fell in love at first sight with Konohanasakuyahime.
. Kojiki 古事記と宮崎 Sacred Places in Miyazaki .

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Ninigi no Mikoto 瓊々杵尊薩摩半島
- source : www.geocities.jp/mb1527



. kami 神 Shinto deities .

. Shrine, Shinto Shrine (jinja 神社) - Introduction .

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


荒垣の瓊々杵尊藪柑子
aragaki no Ninigi no Mikoto yabukooji

in the wild hedge
God Ninigi -
spearflowers


Matsuzawa Akira 松澤昭


. yabukooji 藪柑子 (やぶこうじ) spearflower, Ardisia japonica .
kigo for all winter

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

17/04/2014

Aoshima Jinja

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Aoshima Jinja 青島神社 Aoshima Shrine
〒889-2162 宮崎県宮崎市青島2丁目13番1号 - Miyazaki city, Aoshima
Hyuuga no Kuni 日向之国 The Land of Hyuga



- quote
The deities enshrined here are

Hikohohodemi no mikoto 彦火火出見命 (also known as Yamasachihiko Yamasachi Hiko),
Toyotama-hime 豊玉姫命 (Princess Toyotama, wife of Yamasachihiko, daughter of the god of the sea) and
Shiotsuchi-no-Okina, Shiotsuchi no Oji, Shiozutsu no Ookami 塩筒大神 (old man of the the sea). 塩竈明神
- details see below -

It is not exactly clear when the shrine was built, but it was noted as a “Emperor Saga's Gyoagamematsuru Aoshima Daimyojin (a kind of god)“ by Kokushi official inspection notes on “products of Hyuga”. It is said that it was enshrined before the year 820.

In ancient times, the whole island was sacred ground and until the Edo period entry onto the island was not permitted.
Entry onto the island was only permitted from the 16th day of 3rd month to the end of the 3rd month of the Chinese calender. Also, it was forbidden for people from other regions to pray there.

After that, from May 23 of the 2nd year of the Genbun era (1737) permission was given for others to pray there and then the shrine gathered visitors from throughout Japan.
MORE
- source : www.miyazaki-city.tourism.or.jp

..............................................................................................................................................

Aoshima shrine is supposed to give a divine blessing, especially to those who want to be married and sells ema 絵馬 votive tablets and other amulets for this purpose.




emakake 絵馬掛け
A special path through jungle and facilities to hang the ema votive tablets to pray for a good partner or good meeting.

WAX MUSEUM OF THE MYTH OF HYUGA
With the story of Yamasachi Hiko, Umisachi Hiko and Toyotama Hime.



SCENE 5
In the world of the sea, Yamasachi-hiko climbed a large tree in front of the palace of Watatsumi-Toyotama-hiko, guardian of the world of the sea. While he was there, Princess Toyotama came to the well to draw water. Startled to see a man in a tree, Princess Toyotama rushed back home and told her parents, "I saw a man in a tree when I went to the well to draw water. He looks noble and I am sure he is a very distinguished person." The god of the sea asked Yamasachi-hiko who he was. Yamasachi-hiko replied that he was the child of a god who had descended from heaven.

SCENE 6
The god of the sea welcomed Yamasachi-hiko as an important guest, with much feasting and dancing. After a while, Yamasachi-hiko married Princess Toyotama and they lived together in the palace of the sea god.

SCENE 9
Now that the fishhook was found, Yamasachi-hiko was able to return it to his brother. As he was about to leave for the earthly world, Princess Toyotama said to him, "Our baby will be born soon When I go into labor I will come to find you. So, please build a house there and wait for me."
Yamasachi-hiko went back to the earthly world, carrying the fishhook and two magic balls given to him by the sea god.

SCENE 11
Yamasachi-hiko, feeling relieved, started to build a house for Princess Toyotama. However, before it was completed, Princess Toyotama came to him and told him that the baby was about to be born. She went into the house, warning him not to come and watch. At first, Yamasachi-hiko waited outside patiently. However, eventually he lost patience and looked inside. He found a huge shark giving birth to a baby.
Princess Toyotama's true form had been revealed to Yamasachi-hiko. She was heartbroken and went back to the world of the sea, leaving behind her newborn baby. The baby named Hikonagisa-Takeugaya-Fukiaezu-no-Mikoto, was brought up by Princess Toyotama's younger sister, Princess Tamayori.
He grew up and married Princess Tamayori who had brought him up. They had four children together: Hikoitsuse-no-Mikoto, Iinahi-no-Mikoto, Mikeirino-no-Mikoto and Kamuyamato-lwarebiko-no-Mikoto.

- - - - - Homepage of the shrine - English -
- source : www9.ocn.ne.jp/~aosima

- quote -
Toyotama hime
Toyotama hime and Tamayori hime are the daughters of the sea god Watatsumi in Shintō mythology.
- source : yokai.com/toyotamahime ... -

......................................................................

- Smaller shrines in the compound -

Wadatsumi Jinja 海積神社
- Toyotamahiko no Mikoto 豊玉彦命
- Sukuhikona na Mikoto  彦名命

Iso Jinja 石神社
- Hikohono Ninigi no Mikoto 彦火瓊瓊杵命
- Konohana Sakuyahime no Mikoto  木花開耶姫
- Iwanagahime no Mikoto 磐長姫命

Mi-Oya Jinja, Mioya Jinja 御祖神社
- This is a shrine for the ujiko members of the shrine community to pray for their souls.

Motomiya 元宮 "Original Shrine"
This is the beginning of the shrine complex. There have been remains of sherds from the Yayoi period and other findings.

The compounds have a subtropical climate with many amazing plants.

MORE about
. Ninigi, Sakuyahime and Iwanagahime .

. . Three Deities of Watatsumi / Wadatsumi 綿津見三神 . .

..............................................................................................................................................

- Amulet to find a good partner


kamibina 神雛 "dolls of the Gods"
referring to Yamasachihiko and his wife, Toyotama.
The male doll has an eboshi had of status, the female doll has black hair, a red robe and a golden sash.

This amulet dates back to about 1775.
They are also used for other wishes to the deities, like easy birth, free from illness, safety on sea for fishermen, traffic safety and others.

- - - - - Homepage of the shrine - Japanese - with more Information -
- source : www9.ocn.ne.jp/~aosima/index




There is also a Museum of Legends of Deities from Hyuga
Hyuuga Shinwakan 日向神話館 Hyuga Shinwakan
- source : www9.ocn.ne.jp/~aosima/sinwakan

.......................................................................


source and many more : www9.ocn.ne.jp/~aosima/omamori2

shiawase mamori しあわせ守り amulet for happiness
With the design of palm trees and the rock formation of the "Ogre's Washboard".

..............................................................................................................................................


- quote
At Aoshima Shrine you can also throw plates. You have to hit a certain area and then it means you’ll be blessed with good fortune.
- - - With more photos and explanations :
- source : zoomingjapan.com/travel

..............................................................................................................................................


hadaka mairi 青島神社はだか参り Naked Shrine Visit
January 15

Takes place during the daytime on the beach, facing wave-shaped rocks called "Ogre's Washboard".
Local people and worshippers of the shrine dip into the sea to pray for safety and a good harvest in the coming year.

. Hadaka matsuri 裸祭り Naked Festivals .

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Aoshima 青島 "Green Island"

This island is related to the legend of


. Umi no Sachihiko 海幸彦 - Yama no Sachihiko 山幸彦 .
They are the children of Ninigi and Konohana Sakuyahime.

. Toyotama Hime 豊玉姫 Princess Toyotama .

One of the main features of the island is that it is surrounded by unique rock formations referred to as the



oni no sentaku ita 鬼の洗濯板 "Ogre's Washboard".

- further reference - Aoshima, Miyazaki

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - - - - A deity with many names in the old records :

Shiozutsu-no-Okina 塩筒老翁,
Shiozutsu no Oji, Shiozutsu no Ookami 塩筒大神 (old man of the the sea) 塩土老翁神
or
Shiotsuchi no Okina 塩土老翁, Shiotsuchi no Oji, Shiotsuchi no Kami 塩椎神

Kotokatsu Kunikatsu Nagasa - Koto Katsu Kuni Katsu Naga sa no Kami 事勝因勝長狭神

Shiotsuchi 潮つ霊, 潮つ路 - Deity who resides over the tide.

Shiogama Myoojin 鹽竈明神 / 塩釜明神 Shiogama Myojin, Deity of the Salt Chauldron

- quote
Kotokatsukunikatsunagasa - Kotokatsu kunikatsunagasa no mikoto
A local kami who greeted the heavenly grandchild Ninigi upon his arrival at Kasasa of Ata no Nagaya (in Kagoshima Prefecture) after his descent from heaven (tenson kōrin).
Nihongi states that the kami made a free-will offering of the land to Ninigi. According to a variant "alternate writing" also provided by Nihongi, the kami is identified with Shiotsuchi no oji ("old man of the sea"), an offspring of Izanagi. Shiotsuchi no oji is described elsewhere as guiding Hohodemi to the Palace of the Sea, and telling Emperor Jinmu about the "fair land to the east," with the result that he is viewed as a tutelary kami of the sea.
- source : Kadoya Atsushi, Kokugakuin

- - - - -


Here the Deity in a Noh play, same as 住吉明神(塩土老翁)Sumiyoshi Myojin.
He appears with long white hair to teach people the art of writing Waka poetry.


Also called 漁翁 "Old man of the fish"
- source : myacyouen-hitorigoto

. Shiogama jinja 鹽竈神社 .
Miyagi, Shiogama City - Shrine Shiwahiko Jina 志波彦神社

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Kojiki 古事記と宮崎 Sacred Places in Miyazaki .
"Record of Ancient Matters" and stories of Japanese deities

. Miyazaki Folk Art 宮崎県 and omamori 御守り Amulets .

. Shrine, Shinto Shrine (jinja 神社) - Introduction .

CLICK  photos for more illustrations!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

16/04/2014

Kojiki - Miyazaki

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Kojiki 古事記と宮崎 Sacred Places in Miyazaki

- quote
Kojiki (古事記, "Record of Ancient Matters") is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan, dating from the early 8th century (711–712) and composed by Ō no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Gemmei. The Kojiki is a collection of myths concerning the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the Kami.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !

shinwa 神話 stories of the Japanese deities




:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Izanagi イザナギ- 伊弉諾 - 伊邪那岐 - 伊耶那岐
and
Izanami 伊邪那美命
two powerful deities who feature in the Japanese creation myth: イザナギ・イザナミ
. Amaterasu Omikami 天照大神 .





- quote
Izanagi no Mikoto
According to Kojiki and Nihongi, one of the two kami (together with his consort Izanami) principally responsible for the formation of the world.

According to Kojiki and Nihongi, one of the two kami (together with his consort Izanami) principally responsible for the formation of the world. Various theories have been proposed to explain the name, but it is usually assumed that iza means "invite" (izanau), while the suffixes ki (or gi) and mi mean "male" and "female" respectively, thus alluding to the divine marriage of these two deities.

The two kami formed the seventh generation of the "age of the kami" (kamiyo), but were the first to be described with concrete activities. According to the myth, the two kami first stood on the "floating bridge of heaven" and used a spear to stir the sea below, whereupon the brine dripping from the spear's point congealed and formed the island of Onogoro. The two kami then descended to the island and created the island of Awaji and others in the "great eight-island country," finally giving birth to various other kami.

According to the main text of Nihongi, the "three noble children"
Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo were also produced at this time, but Kojiki and an "alternate writing" quoted in Nihongi state that the three were produced in a different way. According to these two records, Izanami died as the result of giving birth to the kami of fire, whereupon Izanagi  followed his dead wife to the land of Yomi and disobeyed her taboo  not to look upon her.
Fleeing from the pollution of death, Izanagi then performed purifications  (misogi) which resulted in the birth of the three noble children.
- source : Kadoya Atsushi, Kokugakuin


misogi 禊 - みそぎ ritual purification
According to the Kojiki and Nihon shoki, the mythical origins of this practice can be found in the story of how Izanagi, after returning from Yomotsukuni, performed ablutions and ritual purification at Awagihara to rid himself of the pollution (kegare) of the underworld.

..............................................................................................................................................


- quote
Purification of Izanagi
Gods that emerged during the purification of Izanagi. Leaving Yomi, Izanagi decided to remove all uncleanness in his body through a purification ceremony (misogi) consisting of a bath in the river at Ahakihara in Tachibana no Ono in Tsukushi. As he stripped his clothes and accessories on the floor the following twelve gods are born:

1.Tsukitatsufunato (衝立船戸神), emerges from the staff;
2.Michi-no-nagachiha (道之長乳歯神), from the obi;
3.Tokihakashi (時量師神), from the handbag;
4.Wazurai-no-ushi (和豆良比能宇斯能神), from cloths;
5.Michimata (道俣神), from the hakama;
6.Akiguhi-no-ushi (飽咋之宇斯能神), from the crown corona;
7.Okizakaru (奥疎神), from the armband of the left hand;
8.Okitsunagisabiko (奥津那芸佐毘古神), from the armband of the left hand;
9.Okitsukaibera (奥津甲斐弁羅神),from the armband of the left hand;
10.Hezakaru (辺疎神), from the armband of the right hand;
11.Hetsunagisabiko (辺津那芸佐毘古神), from the armband of the right hand;
12.Hetsukaibera (辺津甲斐弁羅神), from the armband of the right hand;

Subsequently Izanagi is stripped of impurities from the land of Yomi. In this moment two gods were born:
1.Yasomagatsuhi (八十禍津日神)
2.Ōmagatsuhi (大禍津日神)

Then, shaking off the curse, three gods were born:
1.Kamunaobi (神直毘神)
2.Ōnaobi (大直毘神)
3.Izunome (伊豆能売)

Then, when washing with water the lower parts of his body, two gods were born;
1.Sokotsuwatatsumi (底津綿津見神)
2.Sokotsutsunoo (底筒之男神)

When washing the middle of his body, two more gods were born:
1.Nakatsuwatatsumi (中津綿津見神)
2.Nakatsutsunoo (中筒之男神)

Finally, washing the upper part of his body, two more gods were born:
1.Uwatsuwatatsumi (上津綿津見神)
2.Uwatsutsunoo (上筒之男神)

The trio of Sokotsuwatatsumi, Nakatsuwatatsumi and Uhatsuwatatsumi make up the group of deities called Sanjin Watatsumi, or the gods of water. The trio of Sokotsutsunoo, Nakatsutsunoo and Uhatsutsunoo make up the Sumiyoshi Sanjin group of deities, gods of fishing and sea, to whom tribute is paid at Sumiyoshi Taisha.

In the last step of the purification ceremony,
Izanagi washed his left eye from which Amaterasu Ōmikami (天照大御神) was born;
washed his right eye from which Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto (月読命) was born; and
when washing his nose, Takehayasusanoo-no-mikoto (建速須佐之男命) was born.

With these three gods called Mihashira-no-uzu-no-miko (三貴子, ”Three precious children”), Izanagi ordered their investiture.
Amaterasu received the mandate to govern Takamagahara and a necklace of jewels called Mikuratanano-no-kami (御倉板挙之神) from Izanagi.
Tsukuyomi is mandated to govern over the Dominion of the Night, and
Takehayasusanoo (Susano-O) is to rule the seas.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA ! - kamiumi




. . Three Deities of Watatsumi / Wadatsumi 綿津見三神 . .

..............................................................................................................................................


- quote
Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters)
is an official Japanese history edited in the year 712 A.D. The stories were told by an official story teller, Hieda-no-Arei, and were written down by Oo-no-Yasumaro. It starts with the beginning of the world, with birth of the Gods and Goddesses, and with the creation of the Japanese islands and descent of the Gods and Goddesses to Japan.

In the early segment of Kojiki, Miyazaki played a very big role.
We shall introduce here the Miyazaki-related parts of Kojiki.

Ninigi-no-Mikoto and the Descent from Heaven
Hoori-no-Mikoto (Yamasachi and Umisachi)
Toyotama-Hime and Her Son

- source : users.telenet.be


..............................................................................................................................................




The Kojiki: An Account of Ancient Matters
O no Yasumaro. Translated by Gustav Heldt
.
Japan's oldest surviving narrative, the eighth-century Kojiki, chronicles the mythical origins of its islands and their ruling dynasty through a diverse array of genealogies, tales, and songs that have helped to shape the modern nation's views of its ancient past. Gustav Heldt's engaging new translation of this revered classic aims to make the Kojiki accessible to contemporary readers while staying true to the distinctively dramatic and evocative appeal of the original's language. It conveys the rhythms that structure the Kojiki's animated style of storytelling and translates the names of its many people and places to clarify their significance within the narrative.
An introduction, glossaries, maps, and bibliographies offer a wealth of additional information about Japan's earliest extant record of its history, literature, and religion.

O no Yasumaro
(d. 723) was a nobleman of the Japanese court whose O clan ruled over an area bearing the same name near the eighth-century capital of Nara.

Gustav Heldt is an associate professor of Japanese literature at the University of Virginia and the author of The Pursuit of Harmony: Poetry and Power in Early Heian Japan.
- source : www.amazon.com

- quote - green shinto - John Dougill -
Heldt makes the choice to translate all Japanese names etymologically by their kanji. For instance, Amaterasu (天照) appears as a character named “Heaven Shining”, and Okuninushi (大國主) as “Great Land Master”. He is even more poetic in his approach to place names, for instance giving Ise (伊勢) as “Sacred Streams”, and Izumo (出雲) as “Billowing Clouds”.

On the whole, I quite like this approach, as the sheer number of personal and place names in the Kojiki is rather dizzying even in simple English, let alone in the cumbersome cipher of romanized Japanese. Besides, tales of the Great Land Master adventuring through the land of Billowing Clouds has a certain mythic scope and poetry to it which is rather appropriate for a work such as this.

There is also a pair of maps at the back of the book, which give a useful layout of Japan in the Mythical Era. It is far more readable than the rather vague, borderless map included in the Chamberlain, and makes for fun comparisons with modern Japan.
- source : www.greenshinto.com/


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Eda Jinja 江田神社 Eda Shrine
Awagigahara-cho 127, Miyazaki City - Awagihara



- - - - - Deities in residence

Izanagi no Mikoto 伊邪那岐命(いざなぎのみこと)
Izanami no Mikoto 伊邪那美命(いざなみのみこと)

Two gods, Izanagi no mikoto and Izanami no mikoto, are enshrined in this ancient shrine that was written about in the Engishiki in the early 10th century. In recent years, many worshippers visit here as a healing spot.

The name of this shrine appears at the beginning of the Norito chant used at shrines nationwide. Izanami-no-mikoto who had fled Yomi, the underworld, being pursued by Izanaki-no-miko, washed himself in the pure water whilst reciting the Norito chant. As he cleaned of the impurities of the underworld here, this area is known as the “birthplace of purification and the “birthplace of Norito”.

The beginning of the Norito chant 
“Gods of the purification altar!
You that were created when the awesome great God Izanagi Swept and purified himself at Tachibana Odo in Awagigahara...”

Roughly five minutes walk to the north of the shrine alongside Phoenix Seagaia Resort and inside the Citizen's Forest lies Misogi-ike 禊池.

江田神社参道の御神木 the sacred tree - kusunoki

- source : miyazaki.daa.jp/eda

..............................................................................................................................................


Misogi-ike 禊池 Purification Pond
at Awagigahara 阿波岐原




..............................................................................................................................................


Awagigahara 阿波岐原 Awagigahara Forest



古事記の舞台、宮崎の神話を旅する
- source : www.pref.miyazaki.lg.j


- quote
Awagigihara Forest Park, Citizen's Forrest
The expansive Citizen's Forest park covers 10km from north to south.
Within this 30 hectare forest there are rest areas, flowerbeds, pathways, lookout decks, playing fields and kiosks.
- - - - -Spiritual Location
Legend has it that Misogi-ike is the location where Izanagi no mikoto performed a “Misogi” purification ceremony. Also, on the south side of the park stands Eda Shrine, which is mentioned in the Engishiki written during the Heian period. In recent years, many people have visited here for its spirituality and on the weekends you can listen to volunteer tour guides give descriptions of the area.
- source : www.miyazaki-city.tourism.or.jp


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Takachiho 高千穂峡 Takachiho Mountain Region and Gorge

..............................................................................................................................................



. Takachiho Yokagura 高千穂 夜神楽 Kagura Dance during the Night .
Yokagura goes around all districts of the Takachiho region from November to February.

- Photos -

..............................................................................................................................................




Amanoyasukawara 天安河原 Ama no Yasukawara
A cave near the river where the deities had their conference about how to get Amaterasu out of the cave Ama no Iwato 天岩戸.

..............................................................................................................................................


Amanoiwato, Ama no Iwato 天岩戸 cave where Amaterasu Omikami hid

This is a sacred place and no photos are allowed, it seems.


source : www.pmiyazaki.com/takachiho

Ama no Iwato Jinja, Amanoiwato-jinja  天岩戸 神社 Amano Iwato Shrine
near Takachiho

- quote
About ten kilometers outside of central Takachiho, Amano Iwato Shrine (天岩戸神社, Amano Iwato Jinja) was built near the cave where Amaterasu is said to have hid herself away. The shrine's main buildings are located on the opposite side of the Iwato River from the cave.
The cave cannot be approached, however, there is an observation deck behind the shrine's main building from where you can gaze across the river. In order to access the observation deck, you need to inquire at the shrine entrance, and a priest will give you a quick guided tour in Japanese.
A short walk down the road from Amano Iwato Shrine is a path that leads down to the river below. After a few minutes on this path you will see neat little piles of stones stacked along the river by previous visitors to mark their pilgrimage to this "power spot". Farther along, the stacks become more numerous until you are surrounded by literally thousands of them as far as you can see.

Eventually the path leads to a simple shrine inside a cave known as Amano Yasukawara (天安河原). This is said to be the cave where the gods and goddesses met to discuss their strategy of luring Amaterasu out of hiding.
The natural beauty of the cave and river lined by countless stacks of stones make Amano Yasukawara a place not to miss.
- source : www.japan-guide.com/e

..............................................................................................................................................




Tsuma Jinja 都萬神社 Tsuma shrine
1 Tsuma, Saito City, Miyazaki - 宮崎県西都市大字妻1

- quote
Old shrine dedicated to a goddess with whom Ninigi, a god of Japanese myth, fell in love at first sight
The shrine is dedicated to konohanasakuya-hime, a goddess of Japanese myth. She is worshiped as the goddess of marriage because the famous Ninigi-no-mikoto coming from Takamagahara, the land of the gods, fell in love with her at first sight, and also as a goddess of easy delivery because she gave birth to triplets of Ninigi.

A part of the grounds is open to local residents as Tsuma Park. The park with a pond, river (the Sakura River) and wisteria trellis is a beautiful antique-looking place. The main shrine, front shrine and shrine office are also quaint-looking old buildings with very historical atmosphere. Tsuma-no-kusu, a Natural Monument of Japan, inside the grounds is a huge camphor tree that is estimated to have lived 1200 years. It appears dead at its trunk but is growing green leaves above. The tree that used to be 40-meters high is now 20-meters due to repeated damage by fire and strong wind but is still standing here exuding a very strong life force and mystic atmosphere.

On the wall of the front shrine you will see the Largest Sword in Japan that is as long as 3.5 meters. Make sure to see large torii gates across the roads to the east and south of the grounds.
- source : www.jnto.go.jp/eng


MORE about
. Ninigi, Sakuyahime and Iwanagahime .

..............................................................................................................................................


Yahiroden ato 八尋殿跡 Remains of Yahiroden
Ninigi and Sakuyahime met first at the river Aisomegawa 逢初川 and then built their home at Yahiroden.
They spent their first night here.



Now we can only see the remains of this palace.
- reference source : nanjaroka.jp/siseki/yahiroden



Ninigi and Sakuyahime 瓊々杵尊 and 木花開耶姫
Kofun graves of both ?

source : www7.ocn.ne.jp/~sui-yama

Osaho-zuka 男狭穂塚(おさほづか)and
Mezaho-zuka 女狭穂塚(めさほづか)with the graves of the two deities.


Saitobaru kofungun (西都原古墳群)
is a group of three hundred thirty three kofun or tumuli in Saito city ...
The majority of the tumuli in Saitobaru have yet to be excavated and many remain wrapped in a veil of mystery. There are 311 elevated mounds, (31 keyhole-shaped mound (zenpo-koenfun (前方後円墳), unique to ancient Japan, 1 hoofun(方墳), 279 circular type (enpun (円墳)), kofuns) and 10 yokoana (横穴) kofuns and 12 underground kofuns, the last being peculiar to southern Kyushu.
Osahozuka and Mesahozuka
Osahozuka kofun is the Japan's largest hotatekai-shaped kofun, 175 meters long.
Mesahozuka kofun is a 180-meter-long zenpo-koenfun. Both belong to Emperor-related kofuns.
- MORE in the Wikipedia -


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Aoshima 青島 "Green Island"

This island is related to the legend of
. Umi no Sachihiko 海幸彦, Yama no Sachihiko 山幸彦 .
They are the children of Ninigi and Konohana Sakuyahime.
and the wife of Yamasachihiko, Toyotama Hime 豊玉姫 Princess Toyotama .

. Aoshima Jinja 青島神社 Aoshima Shrine and Aoshima Island .


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Miyazaki Jinguu, Miyazaki-jingū 宮崎神宮 Miyazaki Shrine - Miyazaki Jingu



- quote
Miyazaki Shrine is the most important shrine of Miyazaki Prefecture and it is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu who, according to the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), was the first emperor of Japan. Because of that, the Miyazaki Shrine is also called “Jimmu-sama”. It is located in the Miyazaki Shrine Forest which is a large green area where other two shrines can be found: the Gosho Inari Shrine and the Gokoku Shrine. So, if you visit the Miyazaki Shrine Forest, you can make the “Sansha Mairi” which is the typical Shintoist pilgrimage consisting of visiting three shrines.

According to Shintoism, Emperor Jimmu is a direct descendant of the Japanese Gods, who were also born in Hyuga, the old name for Miyazaki. All this makes Miyazaki Prefecture the cradle of Japanese mythology and of Japan’s first emperor.

Thousands of people visit the Miyazaki Shrine during the New Year’s holidays which are on January 1st, 2nd and 3rd. After praying for health, happiness and prosperity, people usually have something to eat and drink at the stalls located in front of the shrine main office or at the path leading to the east entrance of the shrine.

More details :
- source : en.japantravel.com/view/the-miyazaki-shrine


. Miyazaki jingu taisai 宮崎神宮大祭 Miyazaki Shrine Grand Festival .
October 28


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - - -  H A I K U  - - - - -



古事記読む八方に濃き春霞
kojiki yomu happoo ni koki harugasumi

reading the Kojiki -
in all directions there is
thick spring haze


. Arima Akito 有馬朗人 .


.......................................................................


読み初むる古事記の神の泣きどころ
高岡すみ子

読初の古事記は神の名を連ね
加藤安希子

神の旅古事記の紙魚の穴よりす
野村喜舟


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Umugaihime and Kisagaihime
蛤貝比売命(うむがいひめ) / 蚶貝比売命(きさがいひめ) .


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. WKD : Miyazaki Prefecture - 宮崎県 Festivals .


[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::