Uji Jinja

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Uji Jinja 宇治神社

Uji Imazaikecho, Ise-city, Mie - 三重県伊勢市宇治今在家町１７２


CLICK for more photos !

- quote
Uji Jinja is a guardian shrine for the residents in the local neighborhood of Uji and also famous as the guardian shrine of leg health.
The legend for strong leg health originated because many of the ancient pilgrims to Ise City prayed there for healthy and strong legs for their journeys back home.
The local folklore was further aided after Ise City’s own Mizuki Noguchi 野口みずき became the gold medal marathon winner in the 2004 Athens Olympics. The legend says that visitors can get stronger legs if they touch a special rock within the shrine.
- source : www.ise-kanko.jp/english


. Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮, Ise Jingu, Ise Jingū) .


- quote
Ise (伊勢市, Ise-shi), formerly called Ujiyamada (宇治山田), is a city located on the eastern tip of Kii Peninsula, in central Mie Prefecture.
Ise is home to Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shintō Shrine in Japan. . .
The village around the Inner Shrine was named Uji and the village around the Outer Shrine was named Yamada.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !]

Walking up the stone steps next to the shrine office there is this :


ashigamisan 足神さん Ashi no Kamisama
Deity for Strong Legs

The nadeishi, nade-ishi 撫石 is a stone to stroke with the wish for your own legs to become strong. Strike the stone first, then the part of your body that aches.

. Deities for Strong Legs - 足の神様 仏様 .

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- - - - - Deities in residence


source :　blogs.yahoo.co.jp/bo_village
Ashigami Jinja 足神神社　 Shrine for the Deity of Legs

Umashi Ashikabi Hikoji no Kami 宇麻志阿斯訶備比古遅神
ウマシアシカビヒコヂ - 足神さん Ashigami San

Jinsei no ashidori ga yoku naru 人生の足取りが良くなる
May the strides of your life become easy.

- quote
Umashiashikabihikoji - Umashi ashikabi hikoji no kami
A kami that appeared in the process of formation of heaven and earth. Acording to Kojiki and an "alternate writing" quoted in the Nihongi, when the land was first formed, it was uncongealed like floating oil, and drifted about like a jellyfish. From within this substance an object appeared and sprouted like a reed, becoming the kami Umashiashikabihikoji.

Kojiki states that this kami was the fourth of the five separate heavenly kami (kotoamatsukami) that were produced alone (hitorigami) and then hid themselves away (i.e., died). The second and third "alternate writings" describing this episode in Nihongi, however, state that Umashiashikabihikoji was the first kami to come into being, while the sixth account describes it as the second kami produced.
This kami was not known as the ancestor of any clans.
- source : kokugakuin, Mori Mizue

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大山祇神　Ooyamatsuminomikoto - main deity 　

宇迦之御魂神　（ウカノミタマノカミ）
玉移良比賣神　（タマイラヒメノカミ）
御裳須曽姫神　（ミモスソヒメノカミ）
豊玉比賣神　（トヨタマヒメノカミ）
素戔嗚尊　（スサノオノミコト）
天兒屋根命　（アメノコヤネノミコト）
速秋津日子神　（ハヤアキツヒコノカミ）
速秋津比女神　（ハヤアキツヒメノカミ）
新川比賣神　（ニイカワヒメノカミ）
火産霊神　（ホムスビノカミ）
水波賣神　（ミズハノメノカミ）
神名不詳一座
応神天皇　（オウジンテンノウ）
天見通命　（アメノミトオシノミコト）
彌武彦神　（ヤタケヒコノカミ）

大職冠鎌足神霊　（タイショクカンカマタリシンレイ）Taishokukan Kamatari Shinrei / 藤原鎌足 Fujiwara no Kamatari
和気清麿神霊　（ワケノキヨマロシンレイ）Wake no Kiyomaro Shinrei
菅原道真神霊　（スガワラノミチザネシンレイ）Sugawara no Michizane Shinrei
楠正成神霊　（クスノキマサシゲシンレイ）Kusunoki Masashige Shinrei
羽倉東麿神霊　（ハクラアズママロシンレイ）Ukura Azuma Maro Shinrei
岡部真淵神霊　（オカベマブチシンレイ）Okabe Mabuchi Shinrei / 賀茂 真淵 Kamo no Mabuchi
本居宣長神霊　（モトオリノリナガシンレイ）Motoori Norinaga Shinrei
平田篤胤神霊 （ヒラタアツタネシンレイ）Hirata Atsutane Shinrei

. shinrei 神霊 / 心霊 spirit, Geist .


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waraji no ema 　わらじの絵馬 votive tablet with straw sandals

waraji omamori わらじ守り（健脚）amulet for strong legs

. waraji　草鞋　わらじ straw sandals .
zoori, zôri 草履

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


. Ujigami Jinja 宇治上神社 Kyoto .
Uji near Kyoto is famous for the Uji Tea.

Nearby is another Uji Jinja 宇治神社, not to be mixed.

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- - - - -　 H A I K U　 - - - - -

守武祭、俳句大会 - 宇治神社 Great Haiku Meeting at Uji Shrine
平成24年9月15日 (2012)
- source : www.k4.dion.ne.jp/~kousei00

In memory of the great haikai poet
. Arakida Moritake 荒木田守武 .
(1473 – 1549)

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- #ujijinja #ujigami -
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Matsushima Jinja

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Matsushima Jinja 松島神社
2-15-2 Nihonbashi-Ningyocho, Chuo, Tokyo / 中央区日本橋人形町2-15-2


source :　tokuhain.chuo-kanko.or.jp

- quote
Matsushima Shrine’s constant stream of visitors bears credence to its rep as a popular worshipping place for Daikokusama, one of Nihonbashi’s Seven Lucky Gods.
With shrine records destroyed during both the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and Second World War, exact timing of the shrine’s establishment can’t be verified; however, it’s estimated that Matsushima dates back to before the Genko era, 1321. At this time, the area was an island densely populated by pine trees, hence the shrine’s name: matsu (meaning ‘pine’) and shima (meaning ‘island’).



The shrine offers a rare variety of O-fuda (small tablets on which requests or words of religious significance are written) called Ryomu-fuda. It’s said these peculiar fuda induce dreaming when placed underneath a pillow at night.
Also popular are small arrow-shaped Omikuji (written fortunes).
- source : www.timeout.jp/en


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- - - - -Deities in residence

Inari no Ookami 稲荷大神
Izanagi no Kami 伊邪那岐神, Izanami no Kami 伊邪那美神
Hinosaki no Ookami 日前大神 = Amaterasu no Ookami（天照大神）　
Kitano Ookami 北野大神- Sugawara Michizane（菅原道真公）　
Teokiho oi no Kami 手置帆負神 - Hikosashiri no Kami 　彦狭知神
Awashima no Ookami 淡島大神, Yahata no Ookami 八幡大神
Sarutahiko no Kami 猿田彦神, Kotohira no Ookami 琴平大神
Ame no Hiwashi no Kami 天日鷲神- （大鳥大神）
Oomiya no Me no Kami 　大宮能売神 - Okamesama （おかめさま）- close to Inari
Ookuninushi no Kami 大国主神〔 Daikoku

. Daikoku Ten 大黒天 - Ookuninushi 大国主神 .


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- source : goshuin.ko-kon.net
stamp from the shrine



ryoomu fuda 良夢札 amulet for a good dream
You put it under your pillow with a written wish to be fulfilled by Daikoku / Okuninushi.
If you have a good dream that night, the wish will be granted.



- quote
This charm with its picture of the god of wealth drawn in gold on beautiful Japanese paper, has its origins in a belief that if the owner placed the charm under their pillow on the first day of the Chinese sexagenary calendar cycle and the god, Okuninushi (lit. Master of the Great Land), appeared in their dream, then their auspicious dream would come true.



While the sexagenary cycle started on January 14, it is possible to get your prayers answered by making a wish the night before important events such as entrance exams, job hunting, business negotiations or to get over an illness. Take note: it’s important that you carefully select your charm and that you make your wish while writing it on it. When you dream about your wish, you must then visit Matsushima Shrine to tell the powers that be, and they will bless you so that it comes true.
- source : www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo




kootsuu anzen 『交通安全御守護』amulet for traffic safety

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. anmin 安眠 to pray for beauty sleep .

. Tokyo and Edo Folk Art .


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- Reference : 日本語

- Reference : English


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



source :　d.hatena.ne.jp/noir555
お江戸日本橋七福神＋寺社めぐり

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Hine Jinja

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Hine Jinja 日根神社
大阪府泉佐野市日根野631 - Osaka, Izumisano City

Hine shrine is probably the only shrine for the pillow and bedroom.
If people coan not sleep, they come here to pray for good sleep.

anmin 安眠 to pray for beauty sleep


It also helps couples to get a child.



source :　www.geolocation.ws/v/W/File

The tabisho　旅所, where the mikoshi palanquins of the festival are carried to.

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makura matsuri まくら祭り pillow festival
4th - 5th May, 2013






source : www.goldenjipangu.com



- quote
A rare festival of parading with about 25 pillows on a 5m long green bamboo carried on the shoulder. It originated when villagers offered rice bags tied on green bamboo sticks to soldiers going to battle.
- source : www.osaka-info.jp/en

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HP of the shrine
Amulets for
子授け・安産・安眠・お宮参り・七五三・厄除け・交通安全・新築・地鎮祭









anmin omamori 安眠お守り　for good sleep


cover for the pillow, in red, pink, yellow or green

- source : hine-jinja/sairei.


- reference - Hine Shrine -

- reference - 日根神社 -

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. biyoo jisha 美容寺社 praying for beauty .


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


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船酔ひの残りし枕祭笛
funayoi no nokorishi makura matsuribue

still suffering
from seasickness - the flute
of the pillow festival

Inagaki Kikuno 稲垣きくの (1906 - 1987)



CLICK for more photos !


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. ryoomu fuda 良夢札 amulet for a good dream .
Matsushima Jinja 松島神社, Tokyo


. WKD : makura 　枕　（まくら)　pillow .


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Umezono Tenmangu Nagasaki

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Umezono Tenmanguu 梅園天満宮 Umezono Migawari Tenmangu Shrine 梅園身代り天満宮
?Baien Tenmangu

長崎県長崎市丸山町2-20 - Nagasaki, Maruyama

- quote
Beginning in 2001, Maruyama Hana Festival is the festival of Umezono Migawari Tenmangu Shrine, and has been held in Maruyama-cho.



During this festival, a portable shrine known as an onna mikoshi is carried on the shoulders of women, and is courageously and noisily paraded along Kankodori Aveune from Maruyama-cho to the Hamanomachi Arcade shopping street.
Another highlight during this women only festival is the procession of courtesans that is reminiscent of when Maruyama-cho was a geisha district.
- source : bridgemedia.jp/nagasaki




source :　www.fwd-net.com/jin2

This shrine has been built in 1700 by Yasuda Ji-emon 安田次右衛門 from Maruyama, and since then been the protector shrine of the Maruyama Geisha District.
A legend from 1693 tells about 安田次右衛門, who was attacked by 梅野五郎左衛門 and finally fled into his own estate. Like a miracle, he was not hurt but the statue of Tenjin sama (Sugawara Michizane) showed blood flowing.
This is why the shrine is also called Migawari - personal substitute.

In 1770 the governor of Nagasaki allowed theater groups and leisure attraction shops and even Sumo wrestling in the compound and then the parade of the geishas began too.


- - - deities in residence

. Sugawara Michizane　菅原道真 .
in the main hall 正殿

Uga no Mitama no Kami 宇賀御魂神
in the Inari Shrine （稲荷社）

. Uga no Mitama　and Uga Benzaiten　宇賀弁財天, .


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The main Tenmangu Festival, Maruyama Hana Matsuri　丸山花祭り, is on the second Sunday in November.


The famous geisha Aihachi of Nagasaki and the BURABURA song
愛八姉さんの「ぶらぶら節」

- quote
Aihachi was sold into the life of a geisha as a young girl from an impoverished fishing village, but became a shamisen player of distinction and a woman of refinement, while never forgetting her humble beginnings. Though not wealthy, she gave freely of her earnings to poor children.

She became a minarai (watching apprentice) with the Suekichi okiya (geisha house) of the Maruyama hanamachi (geisha district) in Nagasaki at the age of 10, debuting as ‘Aihachi’ at the age of 17 in the autumn of 1890, she unexpectedly became a meigi (famous geisha) around the age of 20 or 21.

In February 1931, she recorded ten folk songs that were popular during the Edo period, for the Victor record label, including “Burabura-bushi” a typical folk song of Nagasaki, which has since became known as the national folk song of Nagasaki. The film, "Nagasaki burabura-bushi" (The Nagasaki stroll about song), based on a Naoki Prize winning novel by well-known songwriter Rei Nakanishi, loosely recounts her life story.

The Maruyama district has long been known for its fabulous kimonos. A famous saying in Old Japan was:
“I wish I could have a beautiful courtesan of Shimabara [Kyoto] with the dashing spirit of a Yoshiwara [Edo] woman, wearing the gorgeous apparel of Maruyama [Nagasaki], at a sumptuous ageya of Shinmachi [Osaka].”
source : blue_ruin_1/

- reference -

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egao bijin 笑顔美人 talisman for a smiling beautiful face

In the shrine compound is a famous rock called
Ebisu ishi 恵比須石 Ebisu Rock / Ebisu Stone



Time has left its marks on the rock but it looks like a smiling God Ebisu to all now.
If you look at the stone closely, your own face will get beautiful and you will become a "smiling beauty" with a smiling kind heart.


. Ebisu えびす　恵比寿　 .
one of the seven gods of good luck.

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egao 笑顔 amulets for a smiling face


Japan Smile Project

. egao 笑顔 things for a smiling face.
Temple Jookooji 浄光寺 Joko-Ji, Nagano



egao genki kun 笑顔元気くん 金刀比羅宮 for a smiling face
. from Kotohira Shrine 金刀比羅宮 .

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. WKD : Nagasaki Prefecture Festivals - 長崎県 .

. Migawari 身代わり the deities substitute for us .



. biyoo jisha 美容寺社 praying for beauty .

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

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Tsuki Jinja

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Tsuki Jinja 調神社
"moon shrine" 月の宮 / 調宮　tsuki no miya

埼玉県さいたま市浦和区岸町3 - Saitama - 調神社
3-17-25,Kishi-Machi,Urawa-Ku,Saitama-Shi

The name derives from mitsugi 貢（みつぎ) offerings to superiors and deities, since its storehouse had been built in olden times.

Also refering to Itsuki no miya 斎宮（いつきのみや), itsuki are the aristocratic ladies serving at Ise Shrine.

This later turnes to TSUKI 月 the moon.



haiden 拝殿 the main hall




koma usagi 狛兎 rabbit statues as guardians at the gate

. shinshi 神使 the divine messenger .
is the Usagi.

. koma...　 狛　 guardian animals .





kumade rake for good luck
waiting for the moon on the 12th day of the 12th month , 十二日まち juuninichi machi

. kumade omamori　熊手御守り Kumade rake amulet .


photo source : tencoo.fc2web.com/jinja - I.HATADA


- - - deities in residence

天照大御神 Amaterasu Omikami
豊宇気姫命 Toyouke Hime no Mikoto
素盞嗚尊 Susano-o no mikoto

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- quote
Tsuki Shrine is a shrine for Moon God.
Moon God is a brother of the Sun Goddess. They don’t talk to each other – hence day and night. The Japanese believes that rabbit is a messenger of Moon God which “brings happiness”. And so the shrine has statues of Rabbits within it.
- source : springlady.wordpress.com



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This shrine is famous for the full moon rituals since the old times.


The Rabit and the Moon - decoration



ema 絵馬　votive tablet



CLICK for more amulets.

A flea market on the fourth Saturday to find your favorite this-and-that.


- more about rabbit and moon shrines :
- source : sinsi/fukuda/usagi


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. Daikoku and rabbits 兎大黒 usagi Daikoku amulets .

. koma...　 狛　 guardian animals .

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


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biyoo - praying for beauty

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biyoo jisha 美容寺社 praying for beauty

Next to prayers for good health, prayers for a beautiful face, skin or body were quite popular.

. kami no ke kigan no jisha 髪の毛祈願の寺社 for beautiful hair .

. bijin 美人 beauty - beauty amulet 美守 .


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


- - - - - List of shrines and temples to pray for beauty !

- under construction -
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- Shrines -

. Hine Jinja 日根神社 .
大阪府泉佐野市日根野631 - Osaka, Izumisano
anmin 安眠 to pray for beauty sleep and also for couples to get a child.
makura matsuri まくら祭り pillow festival


. Itsukushima 厳島神社 .
栃木県足利市本城2丁目1855 - Tochigi, Ashikaga
Bijin Benten 美人弁天 Benten for Beauty / Akashi Benten 明石弁天


. Kiyomizu Sha 清水社 Kiyomizu Shrine .
in the compound of 熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingu
愛知県名古屋市熱田区神宮1-1-1 - Aichi, Nagoya
o shimizu お清水 sacred clear water for beautiful skin, healing eye disease and good luck.


. Matsushima Jinja 松島神社 .
東京都中央区日本橋人形町2-15-2 - Tokyo
ryoomu fuda 良夢札 amulet for a good dream and beauty


. Suga Jinja 須賀神社 . - Kyoto
kesoobumi 懸想文 love letter


. Toyotama Hime Jinja 豊玉姫神社 Shrine for Princess Toyotama .
bihada no kamisama 美肌の神様 deity for beautiful skin


. Toyomitsu Jinja 豊満神社 . - Shiga
滋賀県愛知郡愛荘町豊満392 - Shiga
yooshi koojoo 容姿向上 to pray for improvement of female style
bijin omamori 美人守 amulet for beauty



. Umezono Tenmanguu 梅園天満宮 .
長崎県長崎市丸山町2-20 - Nagasaki, Maruyama
egao bijin 笑顔美人 for a smiling beautyful face

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- Temples -


. Banryuuji 蟠竜寺 Banryu-Ji “Coiling Dragon Temple”.
東京都目黒区下目黒3-4-4 - Kyoto
O-shiroi Jizoo おしろい地蔵 "Jizo with a white make-up face"



. Gyokuhooji 玉鳳寺 Gyokuho-Ji .
東京都港区三田4-11-19 - Tokyo, Mita
Keshoo Jizoo 化粧地蔵 Kesho Jizo Bosatsu with make-up
- and more Jizo with painted faces



. Kawasaki Daishi 川崎大師 Daishi temple in Kawasaki .
shoozuka no baasan しょうづかの婆さん "the Old Hag of Hell "



. Komachidera 小町寺 - Ono no Komachi 小野 小町 -.
temple Fudara-Ji 補陀洛寺 in Kyoto

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Nariaiji 成相寺 Nariai-Ji
京都府宮津市成相寺339 - Kyoto
The main statue is a Bijin Kannon 美人観音 "Beautiful Kannon Bosatsu"



Temple Nr. 28 on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage.
Located above Ama no Hashidate, Amanohashidate


bijin Kannon o-mamori 美人観音御守


- quote
Nariaiji Temple (成相寺) is a temple of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. The temple was originally located near the top of Mount Tsuzumigatake overlooking Miyazu Bay in the north, but was moved about 250 years ago to its current location further down the mountain after a landslide. The current temple grounds are still high enough on the slope that there are good viewpoints from where you can look out over the Amanohashidate Sandbar below.

Nariaiji Temple is part of the 33 Kannon Temples of Western Japan, a pilgrimage route to various temples across the region that are dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Appropriately the main treasure of Nariaji Temple is a carved wooden statue of Kannon that dates from the Heian Period.

Below the main hall is a small wooden bell tower containing the "bell of neutrality". The bell is completely enclosed in its tower and has never been struck due to the sad legend about its origins concerning a baby that was accidentally dropped into the molten metal that was cast into the bell. A little further down the slope is an impressive five story pagoda. The bright red structure is built in the Kamakura architectural style, and was also formerly located higher up the mountain before it was restored and moved to its current spot in the late 1990s.
- source : www.japan-guide.com





yubiwa omamori ゆびわお守り fingerring amulet
avoid disaster, lower blood pressure, helps stomach ilness and more




On the 9th of August, there is a special ritual
sennichi mairi　千日まいり　"1000 days worth of temple visit"
If you visit on this day, you get the merit of one thousand days from Kannon san.

８月９日は千日さんといわれ
- Homepage of the temple
- source : www.nariaiji.jp


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- - - - - Reference

- source : www.advice-navi.com/beauty

- source : sp.walkerplus.com/newyear

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Mikado Jinja

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Mikado Jinja 神門神社 / 神門（みかど）神社

This shrine is located in Misato Cho, Mikado village 美郷町南郷区神門 in the north of Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu.
In this shrine a Korean Emperor has become the main deity for more than 1000 years. 禎嘉帝 Teika-O, also known as Kudara no Ookimi, Kudara no Miko 百済王. When the Emperor lost his power to the enemies, he and his family fled to Japan and settled in the Nara region. After more troubles they ended up in Miyazaki, Kyushu.
Their ships got into a storm, and Father Teika-O landed at Kanegahama beach in now hyuuga town 日向市の金ヶ浜f, while his sun Fukuchi-O landed at Kaguchi-Ura near Takanabe village 高鍋町の蚊口浦. But they were found out by their enemy and Taika-O died by an arrow during a battle. His son Kachi-O 華智王 also died during this battle.

According to the local legend, the shrine has been built in 718 - 養老２年. It preserves a lot of treasures with a Korean flavor.

At the shrine Hiki Jinja 比木神社 in 木城町, the deity Fukuchi-O 福智王, the eldest son of Teika-O, is venerated.
He goes to visit his father at Mikado Jinja during a special festival parade once a year.



The simple shrine is located in a lonely pine forest and tended to by the local people. It is supposed to be the former residence of Teika-O.
Most of its history is still shrouded in mystery.

It preserves part of the nature worship of ancient religions.

- reference : www.gurunet-miyazaki.com


shiwasu matsuri 師走祭り ／神門御神幸 Shiwasu festival
December in the old lunar calendar, now on the last weekend in January.

One of the most impressive "fire festivals" of Japan.
Along the road where the god travels to visit his father, there are 32 (?12) huge bonfires of pine branches, which produce large pillars of fire (hibashira) and sparks for the participants to purify their body and soul.
During some parts of the festival, the participating villagers are not allowed to talk.

Priests take the object of veneration out of Hiki shrine and carry it along a road of 90 km (23 里) to Mikado shrine - agari mashi 上りまし .
In former times it took 10 days to reach Mikado Shrine.
On the first day near Mikado shrine for this procession, 32 huge bonfires to welcome him are lit along the way - mukaebi 迎え火.
These fires date back to the legend of Teika-O and the battle where he found his death, when they had lit many fires to distract and ward off the enemy.

One priest carries the box with the "Deity" on a spear hoko 鉾 on his back. This is said to be the beginning of a mikoshi procession with a portable shrine.
A lot of hoko have therefore been given as offerings to this shrine (more that 1000 . . .)



On the second day 18 elected men from the village have to take water ablutions in the nearby river, to "wash the robes" - o-i arai お衣洗い / 洗濯神事, because the robes of the deity had been changed at his arrival at Mikado Shrine.
Masumi Taro 益見太郎 was the local clan leader who had helped Taika-O to hide. At his grave mound Don Taro san mairi ドンタロさん参り is now performed.
Kagura dances are also performed till late in the night.



On the third day the son is paraded back to his own shrine - kudari mashi 下りまし. On this day people paint each other's faces black with charcoal from the hearth - heguro nuri へぐろ塗り and must laugh a lot and make merry, even if they feel sad that the deity is leaving already.
Half way the villagers of Mikado shrine have to stop and can only wave to the departing procession. They carry pans and pots and wave and make noise and shout "Osarabaa" オサラバー (Good bye) as long as they can see the parade.
This is the origin of the word osaraba.
SARA is a Korean word meaning "Please stay alive and come back to meet us again!"

- - - Look here for more photos:
- source : www.gurunet-miyazaki.com

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- quote
Evidence of the Baekje royal family legend Shiwasu Matsuri
The Baekje royal family legend is a lore explaining how the members of the Baekje royal family, who were conquered in the Korean Peninsula and separately drifted to seashores of Miyazaki, meet once a year, and it is the Shiwasu Matsuri festival that reproduces this legend. This film is a record of all the stages of this festival that has been held for the last 1300 years until the present day. At present, Teikaoh, the father of the Baekje royal family, is enshrined to Mikado Shrine and Fukuchioh, the son, is enshrined to Hiki Shrine, as a deity, respectively.

The Shiwasu Matsuri festival, held at the end of January every year, takes a ritual form in which the object of the worship of Fukuchioh, son, and the object of the worship of Teikaoh, father, meet each other once a year, and ceremonies of praying for abundant crops and calamity elimination and prevention, safety delivery, and others are combined with this legend to form one festival.
- source : bunkashisan.ne.jp


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source :　www.pref.miyazaki.lg.jp

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- quote
比木神社　Hiki-jinja　Hiki Shrine
It is said that several members of the royalty and high-ranked warriors of Baekje, an ancient kingdom located in southwest Korea, came to Japan in exile after they were defeated by the alloed forces of Tang and Silla. One of them Prince Fukuchi (in Japanese) arrived at Kaguchiura in present Takanabe Town in 660 and lived in the town of Kijo 木城町.
The place where his house was located was called Hiki (火棄) by local people.

Tough unable to understand their language, local people respected the prince and his retainers, who had high level of knowledge. After the prince died, he was enshrined as Hiki Daimyojin. In 852, the kanji representing its name were changed to “比木” and Hiki Shrine was established.



Prince Fukuchi at Hiki Shrine and his father, Prince Teika enshrined at Mikado Shrine meet each other once a year at Shiwasu Festival of Mikado Shrine. It is a Shinto ritual to console the princes and their royal retainers, who had to leave their homeland and lost their lives in a foreign country.
1306 Shiinoki, Kijo-cho, Koyu-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture 884-0102
- source : nippon-kichi.jp


- further reference -
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. hi matsuri　火祭り fire festivals of Japan .


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


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kami no i - sacred well

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kami no i 神の井 well of the deity, sacred well

some sources quote this as a hot spring 温泉をいう.

Many shrines have a sacred well in the precincts. Some come with a local legend of their beginning.


source :　www.visit-oita.jp
at Saiki 佐伯市大字日向泊 in Oita

On the small island there was no well and therefore the legendary Emperor Jinmu Tenno 神武天皇 landed on the island, drew his bow and where the arrow hit now is this well.

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source :　www.mukasiya.jp

神の井酒造（株）
Takami-２５ Odakacho, Midori Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

a famous sake from Nagoya 純米酒

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


. WKD : well and well-cleaning .


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- - - - -　 H A I K U　 - - - - -

神の井やあかねにけぶる冬木の芽
kami no i ya akane ni keburu fuyuki no me

well of the gods -
the buds of winter trees
in soft red haze

Kadokawa Genyoshi 角川源義 (1917 - 1975)


- source : seppa06/0803
at Mount Tsukuba Shrine 筑波山神社
with a memorial stone of this haiku


. WKD : Mount Tsukuba 筑波山 Tsukuba-san .

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早乙女や神の井をくむ二人づれ
saotome ya kami no i o kumu futari-zure

rice-planting women -
two of them draw water
from the sacred well

. Iida Dakotsu 飯田蛇笏 .



. WKD : saotome 早乙女 rice-planting woman .
kigo for summer


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神の井の垣へ散りたる椎の花
kami no i no kaki e chiritaru shii no hana

from the hedge
of the sacred well scatter blossoms
of the Shii oak

Masumoto Yukihiro 升本行洋


. WKD : shii no hana 椎の花 Shii oak blossoms .
Castanopsis cuspidata



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taisai - major festival

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taisai 大祭　 major festival, major rites, Grand Festival



- quote
Taisai
One division of shrine rites, conducted in the form of major festivals. After the Meiji Restoration, these observances became regulated under government ordinance, and since 1945 they have been specified in the Regulations of Shrine Observances (Jinja saishi kitei) of the Association of Shinto Shrines (jinja honchō). The Regulations divide taisai into
reisai　例祭, kinensai　記念祭, niinamesai 新嘗祭, shikinensai, chinzasai, senzasai, gōshisai, bunshisai, and rites based on special shrine traditions.

The standard for taisai is set by rites with a public character and a long history, such as those involving the transfer of a deity, festivals closely connected to the enshrined deity or the origin of a shrine. The instructions for such rites are set out in the Jinja saishiki, which specifies in detail how the rites are to be conducted.

The system of categorizing rites by their content and size goes back to the Ritsuryō period. According to the Jingiryō code for shrine rites,
"taishi are rites celebrated during an entire month, while chūshi last three days and shōshi only one day."

The rites are differentiated by the length of the period of abstinence that must be observed before it. The only large-scale rite mentioned for its especially important significance is the daijōsai (sokui), which is conducted as part of the ceremonies for imperial accession and is codified in the Engishiki. In the Ordinance of Imperial Household Rites (Kōshitsu saishi rei) of 1908, rites are divided into major (taisai) and minor (shōsai).

Taisai are the rites in which "the emperor leads the imperial family and government officials" and include genshisai, kigensetsu, spring and autumn kōreisai, spring and autumn shindensai, Jinmu tennōsai, kannamesai, niinamesai, senteisai (rites for the previous emperor), rites for the previous three generations of emperors, rites for the previous empress and rites for the previous empress dowager.

The daijōsai is not prescribed in the Kōshitsu saishirei, but instead in the Ordinance on Ascension to the Throne (tōkyokurei). As a very important rite celebrated only once per imperial reign, the daijōsai is treated in the Ordinance as representing a special category by itself.
- source : Mogi Sadasumi , Kokugakuin


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. Hachinohe Sansha Taisai 八戸三社大祭 Hachinohe Sansha Grand Festival . Aomori

. hatsu tatsu taisai 初辰大祭 Grand Festival on the first day of the dragon in January .
at Kifune Shrine 貴船神社 Kurama

. Izumo taisha 出雲大社 Izumo Grand Shrine - tai sai .

. Korei taisai 古例大祭 at Taga Taisha 多賀大社 Great Taga Shrine .

. Osorezan Taisai 恐山大祭 Great Festival at Mount Osorezan .

. Shinkoshiki Taisai 神幸式大祭 Procession of Gods Festival .
at Dazaifu matsuri 大宰府祭 Dazaifu festival - for Sugawara Michizane

. Shuki Taisai - Autumn Festival 秋季大祭 at Tamaki Jinja 玉置神社, Nara .

. Warei taisai 和霊大祭 Great Festival at Warei Shrine . Ehime


- Reference : 日本語

- Reference : English


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


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- - - - -　 H A I K U　 - - - - -

港に鱶は老い遠き海の大祭
hama ni fuka wa oi tooki umi no taisai

at the port
an old big shark far away
at the Great Sea Festival

Takayanagi Juushin 高柳重信 Takayanagi Jushin

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. . daijoosai, daijōsai 大嘗祭 Shinto Harvest Thanksgiving Ritual . .
- - - - - niiname no matsuri 新嘗祭 Niiname-Sai
- - - - - niinamesai 新嘗祭 harvest thanksgiving festival


奉納の繭も慈姑も新嘗祭
三谷いちろ


灯れる新嘗祭の二重橋
京極杞陽


医王晴れ新嘗祭の太鼓鳴る
前田時余


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reisai 例祭 annual festival



- quote
Reisai
The annual ‘major festival' (taisai) of a shrine, held on a day related either to the enshrined deity or the origin of the shrine. The term reisai is relatively recent.

In ancient times this festival was distinguished from other rites held throughout the year by using the honorific terms ōmatsuri ('great festival') or onmatsuri, or by associating it directly with the name of the shrine, as in Kasuga-sai, Kamo-sa and Iwashimizu-sai. Occurrences of the term reisai in illustrated guidebooks of the Edo period indicate that use of the word was widespread by this time, such festivals being perceived as differing from others.

Under the shrine system of the Meiji period, the kinensai, niinamesai and other rites were classified as taisai, and ceremonies in which emissaries (chokushi or heihaku kyōshinshi) made offerings were held at various shrines ranking from ‘government shrines' (kanpeisha) down to village shrines.

Given that reisai are held on days that have a special connection to the enshrined deity or the origins of the shrine, the dates of their celebration cannot be changed without special reasons. The reisai of some of the most prominent shrines are:

Kashihara Jingū (February 11), Kasuga Taisha (March 13), Katori Jingū (April 14), Heian Jingū (April 15), Ōmi Jingū (April 20), Izumo Taisha (May 14), Kamowake Ikazuchi Jinja and Kamo no Mioya Jinja (May 15), Atsuta Jingū (June 5), Hikawa Jinja (August 1), Kashima Jingū (September 1), Iwashimizu Hachimangū (September 15), and Meiji Jingū (November 3).

The Grand Shrines of Ise do not have a designated reisai, but the kannamesai of October 17, with its close association with the enshrined deity, is probably its closest equivalent. Although the system of making offerings from public funds was abolished after the war, imperial emissaries still visit shrines on the occasion of the hōbeisai.

Furthermore, the tradition is being continued by the Association of Shinto Shrines, which sends its own emissaries with offerings (honchōhei). The Association also attaches special importance to the dates designated for reisai, which cannot be changed without its approval.
- source : Motegi Sadasumi, Kokugakuin


. hōbei, hoobei 奉幣 offerings from Grand Ise Shrine 伊勢神宮.
kannamesai 神嘗祭, kanname no matsuri kannie no matsuri. shinjoosai しんじょうさい
kanname 神嘗 - kamunie, kamuname

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. shooreisai 松例祭 Shōreisai, pine torch festival .
at Mount Haguro




松例祭火の粉が落す杉の雪
升本行洋

松例祭火事装束の大目付
三原清暁

松例祭闇に羽黒の天狗翔ぶ
高木金男

桟俵被る阿呆や松例祭
棚山波朗

満願の髭がほころぶ松例祭
神林久子

身の丈を舞ひ飛ぶ修験松例祭
阿部月山子

とんぶりの握飯賜はる松例祭
高木良多

大梵天立ちて始まる松例祭
粕谷容子

天焦がす対の火柱松例祭
阿部月山子


. WKD : reisai 例祭 annual festivals .


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Nakayama Jinja Tsuyama

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Nakayama Jinja 中山神社 - and - Saru Jinja 猿神社

岡山県津山市一宮695 Okayama, Tsuyama town

The first shrine of Mimasaka no Kuni 美作国一宮.
Also called Chuuzen or Chuuzan.



中山神社（なかやまじんじゃ）は、岡山県津山市一宮にある神社。式内社（名神大社）、美作国一宮。

社名は現在「なかやま」と読むが、かつては「ちゅうぜん」「ちゅうざん」と音読みしていた。
別称として
仲山大明神、南宮とも。


- - - - - Deities in Residence
Kagami Tsukuri no kami 鏡作神 Deity for making mirrors
Ame no Nukado no kami 天糠戸神 （あめのぬかどのかみ）(Ame-no-nuka-do-no kami)
- - - - (father of Ishikoridome)
Ishikoridome no kami 石凝姥神 （いしこりどめのかみ）(Ishi-kori-dome-no-kami)
- - - - the Deity of Rice Cakes
- see below -


Built in 707, on the third day of the 4th lunar month.



In the precincts is a huge keyaki tree. 祝木のケヤキ / 欅 zelkova tree
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

. keyaki 欅 伝説 Legends about the Zelkova tree .


. 天児屋根神 / 天児屋根命 / 天児屋命 Amanokoyane no Mikoto　 .


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- quote
Said to have been built in 707, this is the Ichinomiya shrine of the Mimasaka Province. It has been known as the deity of cows and horses since ancient times.
The main shrine was rebuilt by Amako Haruhisa in 1559 and has been designated as a national important cultural property.
The characteristic shrine architecture can be seen in the hip-and-gable roof structure and the entrance on the gable side. This architectural structure is called "Nakayama-zukuri" and is the main current of shrine architecture in the Mimasaka region.

The shrine gate has been designated as an important cultural property by Tsuyama City and was made by dismantling and reconstructing the Shikyaku-mon gate (style with four supporting pillars and a gabled roof) of Tsuyama Castle.

The rear shrine is a monkey shrine that appeared in the Konjaku Monogatari (31-volume collection of stories written during the late Heian period).

The Otaue Festival (seasonal planting of rice on a field affiliated with a shrine), held on April 29, is a festival to pray for a bountiful crop that features a dance of male and female lions accompanied by flutes and drums, and a performance by farmers waving their hoes around as if planting rice in the fields.
- source : www.tsuyama-kanko.jp

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Saru Jinja 猿神社



- quote
The monkey messenger is also known as Sarugami (猿神; literally “monkey kami”). Sarugami is the Shinto deity to whom the three monkeys (hear, speak, see no evil) are reportedly faithful.
The monkey shrine at Nakayama Shrine 中山神社 in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, is dedicated to a red monkey named Sarugami, who blesses couples with children.

According to shrine legends, the local people at one time offered human sacrifices (using females) to this deity. The shrine is mentioned in the Konjaku Monogatari-shu (今昔物語集), a collection of over 1000 tales from India, China, and Japan written during the late Heian Period (794-1192 AD).
- source : www.onmarkproductions.com　－ Mark Schumacher


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- quote by Gerard Taaffe
I highly recommend a visit to Nakayama Shrine about 3 km north of Shuraku-en. Built in 707 at the end of the Asuka Period (593-710), this shrine is dedicated to the god of cattle and horses.

In its precincts there is also a monkey shrine that is mentioned in the collection of 11th-century “once-upon-a-time” tales titled “Konjaku Monogatari.” Attached to this old shrine is a lovely preserved mixed woodland covering almost 7 hectares, whose trees, insects and birds have all been carefully cataloged by the shrine office.

In front of the 11-meter stone torii erected in 1791 at the entrance to the shrine there is a sacred keyaki (Zelkova serrata) that is reckoned to be 800 years old. This hollow-centered tree (also known as a shinboku) is only 10 meters tall, but at one time it must have been much higher judging by its trunk, which is 20 meters in diameter.

Adjacent to the torii there is a 500-year-old muku-no-ki (Aphananthe aspera), a deciduous tree which, like the keyaki, belongs to the elm family (Ulmaceae).

Finally, in this veritable arboretum just in front of the main shrine building, you will also come across a fine specimen of akagashi (red oak or Japanese evergreen oak; Quercus acuta). This species has leathery, oblong-ovate leaves that are 7-15 cm long with glossy upper surfaces and no teeth on the margin. This oak yields fine hard-grained timber whose reddish color has given the tree its Japanese name.
- source : Japan Times, 2002


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- Reference : 日本語

- Reference : English


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


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kagamitsukuri, Kagami Tsukuri no Muraji
This family or clan of mirror makers for the Shinto deities are offspring from Ame no Nukado and Ishikoridome.
イシコリドメは作鏡連らの祖神である.

- quote
from A SCROLL OF GLEANINGS
FROM - ANCIENT STORIES TOGETHER WITH A PREFACE
BY
IMBE-NO-SUKUNE-HIRONARI, LOWER GRADE OF THE JUNIOR FIFTH COURT RANK
Inbe no Hironari 斎部広成

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Whereupon Amaterasu-Ō-Mikami was greatly incensed, and entering into the Heavenly Rock-Cave, closed its door and concealed herself therein. Consequently, the eternal night of darkness prevailed, so that no one could distinguish between the day and the night. And all the gods were dismayed and, to their great inconvenience, all business was transacted by artificial light. Then p. 20 Takami-Musubi-no-Kami summoned a council of the Eighty Myriads of Gods on the Dry-Bed-of-the-Eight-Sand-Bank-River in Heaven, and enquired what measures should be taken in order to rectify matters. In response Omoikane-no-Kami, the God of Profound Knowledge and Foresight, proposed the following scheme to induce Amaterasu-Ō-Mikami to return from her hiding place in the Rock-Cave.

Futotama-no-Kami was to be appointed to make “nigite,” i.e., offerings of fine cloth, in aid of the gods of different callings. Ishikoritome-no-Kami (from whom the Kagamitsukuri or Mirror-making family is sprung and who is the child of Ame-no-Nukado-no-Mikoto) was to construct a mirror, resembling in form the disc of the sun, i.e., an image of Amaterasu-Ō-Mikami, out of copper brought from the Heavenly Mt. Kagu.

Nagashiraha-no-Kami (Ancestor of the Omi family in Ise Province—“shiraha,” the ordinary name of cloth at the present day, originated from the name of this god) was to plant hemp and make “aonigite,” i.e., offerings of fine blue-coloured hempen cloth. Ame-no-Hiwashi-no-Kami and Tsukuimi-no-Kami were bidden to make “shiranigite,” i.e., offerings of fine white cloth woven from the paper mulberry (tradition says that at that time, both hemp and mulberry grew luxuriantly in a night after being planted).
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Thus doing, as Omoikane-no-Kami had suggested, they first tried to construct a mirror, as an image of the Sun-Goddess; but as the first mirror made by Ishikoritome-no-Kami was slightly defective and therefore unfit for use (this Mirror is the Deity at Hinokuma in Ki-I Province), a second was moulded which was ideally beautiful (this Mirror is the Deity of the Ise Shrine).
- source : www.sacred-texts.com


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