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87-446: The Inner Shrine, Naikū (also officially known as "Kōtai Jingū"), is dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu and is located in the town of Uji-tachi, south of central Ise, where she is believed to dwell. The shrine buildings are made of solid cypress wood and use no nails but instead joined wood. The Outer Shrine, Gekū (also officially known as "Toyouke Daijingū"), is located about six kilometers from Naikū and dedicated to Toyouke-Ōmikami ,

174-658: A Saiō . According to the Man'yōshū , the first saiō to serve at the shrine was Princess Ōku , daughter of Emperor Tenmu , during the Asuka period . Mention of Ise Shrine's saiō is also made in the Aoi, Sakaki and Yugao chapters of The Tale of Genji as well as in the 69th chapter of The Tales of Ise . The saiō system ended during the turmoil of the Nanboku-chō period . During the Empire of Japan and

261-506: A distinction for the gender of the deity being represented. In the case of Ise, Amaterasu, a female deity, is represented at the shrine, which is why the chigi are flat. The roof ridge is supported by two free-standing columns called the munamochi-bashira . The katsuogi , chigi and munamochi-bashira are stylised forms of older storehouse building techniques that pre-date the introduction of Buddhist architecture in Japan. The empty site beside

348-401: A god [[[Omonoimi no Kami|Ōmonoimi-no-kami]]  [ ja ; simple ] ] Error: {{Transliteration}}: transliteration text not Latin script ( help ) ( 大物忌神 ) and a goddess Toyooka hime ( 豊岡姫 ) . There is a separate shrine dedicated to Toyouke's Ara-mitama , or Toyouke-Ōmikami no Ara-mitama ( 豊受大御神荒魂 ) called Takanomiya  [ ja ] (Takamiya) inside Gekū . She

435-551: A good afterlife. It also was seen as a vacation, the journey to the shrine itself being almost as important as actually getting there. In the 21st century, Ise is still an important destination both to foreign tourists and especially to the Japanese community; 9 million Japanese tourists visited the shrine in 2013. There are 125 shrines within Ise Shrine: Toyouke-%C5%8Cmikami Toyouke-hime

522-401: A revelation from Amaterasu that the shrine was needed. The shrine has been traditionally rebuilt every 20 years. There is a separate shrine dedicated to Toyouke's Ara-mitama , or Toyouke-Ōmikami no Ara-mitama ( 豊受大御神荒魂 ) called Takanomiya  [ ja ] (Takamiya) inside this shrine. The official name of the main shrine of Naikū is Kotaijingu and is the place of worship of

609-402: A sacred jewel, and is comparable to nyoi-shu , orbs which many Buddhist figures are displayed holding. Initially, the shrine was constructed of locally sourced Hinoki wood, which served as an ideal building material due to its physical properties. The abundance of local Hinoki wood was short lived, and the shrine currently obtains the wood through other domestic producers, who ensure that only

696-566: A scene from a picture scroll of the imperial court during the Heian period, starting from the shrine and continuing as far as the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Arashiyama. The procession of the saiō from Kyoto to Saikū , the saiō 's official residence in Ise , was the largest procession of its kind in Japan for its time. Up to 500 people would set out from Kyoto as a part of the saiō 's retinue for

783-490: A site for the main saiō residence has been discovered, a large percentage of it lies beneath the main Kintetsu Ise railway line and is inaccessible. Itsukinomiya Historical Experience Hall, a reconstruction of the building using traditional techniques, was built in the 1990s and stands beside Saikū station on the local Kintetsu rail line, no more than 200 metres (660 ft) from the original site. The Aoi Matsuri ,

870-449: A staircase leading to a single central doorway. The Naikū does not have any windows. The roof is made of thatched reed with ten billets ( katsuogi ) located on the ridge of the roof, the bargeboards of which project beyond the roof to form the distinctive forked finials ( chigi ) at the ends of the ridge. The chigi on the roof of the Naikū are flat on top, rather than pointed, which serves as

957-634: A symbolic act to clean the mind and body of impurity. The first of two large torii gates stands just beyond the Temizusha. After passing the first large torii gate, the Purification Hall (Saikan), and the hall for visitors from the imperial household (Anzaisho) is located to the left. The Saikan is used by shrine priests to purify themselves before performing ceremonies at the shrine. They are required to spend one or two nights to free their minds of worldly issues, partaking in baths and eating meals cooked with

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1044-644: A wooden carriage laden with white stones up the Isuzu River onto the grounds of the Naiku. Each participant gets two white stones in a white handkerchief and these allow them to place the stones in the area around the Inner Sanctum. Other villages drag a huge wooden cart or Noburi Kuruma laden with white stones to the Uji bridge at the entrance of the grounds of the Naiku. Participants receive two white stones which are also placed in

1131-611: Is a building called Anzaisho, which serves as the Hall for the Emperor and Empress. There is a large Kaguraden at Geku. Toyouke Omikami is enshrined at the Honden. It lies in the most sacred area enclosed by four rows of fences, and the structure remains unchanged from 1500 years ago. Worshippers can only approach the first gate. In Japanese mythology Toyouke-hime was either killed by Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto or by Susanoo-no-Mikoto . Amaterasu mourned

1218-531: Is a shrine to Toyoukebime , the food goddess, located in Ise Grand Shrine. it is also colloquially known as [ Gekū  [ ja ] ] Error: {{Transliteration}}: transliteration text not Latin script ( help ) ( 外宮 , lit. outer shrine) . In pilgrimage customs people traditionally visit this shrine first and then Kotai jingu which is located 4 km to the south The shrine was founded after Emperor Yuryaku dreamt that he saw Amaterasu . She said she

1305-434: Is also thought to be identical to or to have "associated with" Ukemochi . In Mineyama Town, Kyōtango , Kyoto prefecture, there is a well Seisuido ( 清水戸 ) and a story of the now lost half-moon-shaped rice paddy Tsukinowa den ( 月の輪田 ) . They are believed to be the site where Toyouke had soaked rice seeds to encourage germination and planted the first rice. The Hinumanai Shrine  [ ja ] ( 比沼麻奈為神社 )

1392-496: Is associated with industrial growth. Every time Mount Chōkai erupted his rank increased. Sai%C5%8D Saiō ( 斎王 ) or itsuki no miko was the title of the unmarried female members of the Japanese Imperial Family , sent to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century to the 14th century. The saiō 's residence, Saikū ( 斎宮 ) , was about 10 km (6.2 mi) north-west of

1479-504: Is called the Shikinen Sengū . Although the goal of Sengū is to get the shrine built within the 20-year period, there have been some instances, especially because of war, where the shrine building process is postponed or delayed. The original physical purpose of the Sengu process is unknown. However, it is believed that it serves to maintain the longevity of the shrine, or possibly as a gesture to

1566-479: Is chosen as saiō at the age of 13, Rokujo-no-miyasudokoro decides to join her in Saikū to help her overcome her feelings for Genji. The love story of Ariwara-no-Narihira and the 31st saiō , Princess Yasuko (served as saiō from 859 to 876), is told in the 69th chapter of The Tales of Ise . Ariwara-no-Narihira, well known in his time for his good looks, is married to Princess Yasuko's cousin, but on meeting at

1653-653: Is held twice a year in May and August at both Naikū and Gekū. The most important annual festival held at Ise Shrine is the Kannamesai Festival ( 神嘗祭 ) . Held in October each year, this ritual makes offerings of the first harvest of crops for the season to Amaterasu. An imperial envoy carries the offering of rice harvested by the Emperor himself to Ise, as well as five-coloured silk cloth and other materials, called heihaku. Besides

1740-581: Is mentioned in Engishiki dating back to Heian period , as Taniwa ( 田庭 ) literally meaning the Garden of Rice Paddies . That ancient place name is thought to have changed over time to Taba (location of rice paddies), then to Tamba/Tanba ( 丹波 ) . On the slope of the Kuji Pass, there is a shrine dedicated to Ōkami, as well as Hoi no dan , the ruin of a sacred well Ame no manai of Takamagahara : That well

1827-485: Is said that Princess Yasuko bore a child as a result of the brief love affair. It is not precisely clear when the saiō system ended, but what is known is that it occurred during the turmoil of the Nanboku-chō period when two rival Imperial courts were in existence, in Kyoto and Yoshino . The saiō system had been in steady decline up to this period, with Saikū reverting to just another rural rice farming village after

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1914-441: Is said to have started in the 6th century when the Emperor sent his representatives to Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shines to pray from good harvests. The Saiō Matsuri is held in the town of Meiwa, Mie Prefecture, on the first weekend of June each year. First held in 1983, it re-enacts the march of the saiō from her residence at Saikū, to the nearby Ise Shrine. More than 100 people dressed in traditional Heian-period dress along

2001-644: Is the goddess of agriculture, industry, food, clothing, and houses in the Shinto religion. Originally enshrined in the Tanba region of Japan , she was called to reside at Gekū, Ise Shrine , about 1,500 years ago at the age of Emperor Yūryaku to offer sacred food to Amaterasu Ōmikami , the Sun Goddess. While popular as Toyouke-Ōhmikami presently, her name has been transcribed using Chinese characters in several manners including Toyouke bime no kami ( 豊宇気毘売神 ) in

2088-540: Is the God of Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi Shrine and Mount Chokai . There are shrines that enshrine Omonoiminokami in various other places in the Tohoku region , including Chōkai gassan ryōsho-gu  [ simple ] . [[[Omonoimi no Kami|Ōmonoimi-no-kami]]  [ ja ; simple ] ] Error: {{Transliteration}}: transliteration text not Latin script ( help ) ( 大物忌神 ) is considered possibly identical to Toyouke-hime He

2175-403: Is worshipped at Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi Shrine In Kojiki , Toyouke-Ōmikami is described as the granddaughter to Izanami via her father Wakumusubi , and Toyouke was said to settle to Gekū, Ise Shrine at Watarai ( 度相 ) after Tenson kōrin when the heavenly deities came down to the earth. In her name Toyouke, "uke" means food, making her the goddess of food and grain, which is said to be

2262-566: The saiō changed after the capital was moved to Heian-kyō in 794. The procession began in what is today the Arashiyama district on the west side of Kyoto. In the Heian period, successive imperial princesses stayed in the Nonomiya Shrine for a year or more to purify themselves before becoming representatives of the imperial family at the Ise Shrine. Contemporary annual processions recreate

2349-443: The saiō of Ise Shrine at the young age of 8, serving at the shrine for 9 years. After returning to the capital, she became a consort to Emperor Murakami and gave birth to Princess Noriko. She became famous throughout Kyoto for her colorful life, devoting herself to waka poetry and music. According to the story, she falls in love with Prince Genji, but her jealous nature brings about the death of two of her rivals. When her daughter

2436-636: The Imperial House of Japan and is responsible for watching over the Shrine. The current High Priestess of the shrine is the daughter of Emperor Emeritus Akihito , former Princess Sayako Kuroda . According to the Nihon Shoki , around 2000 years ago the divine Yamatohime-no-mikoto , daughter of the Emperor Suinin , set out from Mt. Miwa in modern Nara Prefecture in search of a permanent location to worship

2523-507: The " Kojiki ", while there is no entry about her in the " Nihon Shoki ". Literally, her name means "Luxuriant-food Princess" kami. Several alternative transcription and names are attributed to this goddess including Toyouke-Okami, Toyouke-Ōmikami, Toyoukebime no kami ( 豊受気媛神 ) , Toyuuke no kami ( 登由宇気神 ) , Toyo u ka no Menokami ( 止与 宇 可乃売神 ) , Toyuke no Ōkami ( 等由気太神 ) , and Toyohirume ( とよひるめ ) . God and goddess thought to be identical to Toyouke-Ōhmikami are

2610-486: The 69th chapter of The Tales of Ise ( Ise Monogatari ). In the 13th century, Jien recorded in the Gukanshō that during the reign of Emperor Suinin, the first High Priestess ( saiō ) was appointed for Ise Shrine. Hayashi Gahō 's 17th-century Nihon Ōdai Ichiran is somewhat more expansive, explaining that since Suinin's time, a daughter of the emperor was almost always appointed as high priestess, but across

2697-675: The Ise Shrine now stands. Prior to Yamatohime-no-mikoto's journey, Amaterasu-ōmikami had been worshiped at the Imperial Palaces in Yamato . According to the Man'yōshū ( The Anthology of Ten Thousand Leaves ), the first saiō to serve at Ise was Princess Ōku , daughter of Emperor Tenmu , during the Asuka period of Japanese history. Mention of the saiō is also made in the Aoi , Sakaki and Yugao chapters of The Tale of Genji , as well as in

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2784-659: The Ise shrine is known as shinmei-zukuri , characterized by extreme simplicity and antiquity; its basic principles date back to the Kofun period (250–538 C.E.). The shrine buildings use a special variant of this style called yuitsu-shinmei-zukuri ( 唯一神明造 ) , which may not be used in the construction of any other shrine. Yuitsu-shinmei-zukuri style replicates the architectural features of early rice granaries. The old shrines are dismantled and new ones built on an adjacent site to exacting specifications every 20 years at exorbitant expense, so that

2871-438: The Saikū, they fall into forbidden love. Giving in to temptation, they secretly meet under a pine tree on the shore of Ōyodo Port to reveal their feelings for one another and to promise to meet again the following night. But this first secret meeting would also be the last, as Narihira was due to depart that next day for Owari Province . Princess Yasuko came to see Narihira off, and they were never to see each other again, though it

2958-634: The Shrine in which the saiō prayed for peace and protection. In June and November each year, she journeyed to the Shrine to perform the Tsukinamisai Festival. In September in the lunisolar calendar , she performed the Kannamesai Festival to make offerings to the kami of the year's new grain harvest. For the rest of the year, the saiō lived in Saikū , a small town of up to 500 people approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) north-west of Ise, in modern Meiwa, Mie Prefecture. Life at Saikū was, for

3045-546: The agricultural ceremonies already mentioned, ceremonies and festivals are held throughout the year at both Naikū and Gekū to celebrate things such as the new year, the foundation of Japan, the past emperors, purification rituals for priests and court musicians, good sake fermentation and the Emperor's birthday . There are also daily food offerings to the shrine kami held both in the mornings and evenings. [ Toyouke Daijingu  [ ja ] ] Error: {{Transliteration}}: transliteration text not Latin script ( help ) ( 豊受大神宮 )

3132-456: The basis on which other kami were equated with and merged into Toyouke as the deity of foodstuffs: Ukemochi (Ōgetsu-hime), Inari Ōkami , and Ukanomitama . The head priest of Toyouke Daijingu submitted "Toyuke Shrine Book of Rituals ( 止由気宮儀式帳 , Toyukegū gishikichō ) ", or the record of the Ise Grand Shrine to the government in 804, in which it is told that goddess Toyouke originally had come from Tamba. It records that Emperor Yūryaku

3219-421: The best wood is being used for the construction. Before the wood is usable in building the shrine, it must be put through a lengthy seasoning and drying process where it is in a pond for several years and then dried. The team which builds the shrine is typically formed around a few factors. Since many of the building techniques haven't changed since the creation of the Ise Shrine, the workers who are hired to build

3306-408: The buildings will be forever new and forever ancient and original. The present buildings, dating from 2013, are the 62nd iteration to date and are scheduled for rebuilding in 2033. The shrine at Naikū is constructed of Japanese cypress . Built on pillars set directly in the ground, the shrine building measures 10.9 by 5.5 meters and includes a raised floor, verandas all the way around the building and

3393-469: The capital to resume their lives as part of the Imperial Court. Often, a saiō was quite young when she left the capital for Saikū, and would only be in her mid-teens or early twenties when she returned to the capital. It was considered a great honor to marry a former saiō and her time at Saikū improved her own position at court and those of the people who served with her. The procession routes of

3480-450: The capital. The Man'yōshū ( The Anthology of Ten Thousand Leaves ), tells the story of Princess Ōku , the first saiō to serve at Ise Shrine . The daughter of Emperor Tenmu , Japan's 40th emperor (according to the traditional order of succession), Princess Ōku and her younger brother, Prince Ōtsu , survived the Jinshin incident . After taking up her role as saiō , her brother

3567-408: The centuries, there had been times when the emperor himself had no daughter; and in such circumstances, the daughter of a close relative of the emperor would have been appointed to fill the untimely vacancy. The role of the saiō was to serve as High Priestess at Ise Shrine on behalf of the Emperor, to represent the role first set out by Yamatohime-no-mikoto. Three rituals a year were conducted at

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3654-463: The completion of the shrine, each serving different purposes. In the lead-up to the rebuilding of the shrines, a number of festivals are held to mark special events. The Okihiki Festival is held in the spring over two consecutive years and involves people from surrounding towns dragging huge wooden logs through the streets of Ise to Naikū and Gekū. In the lead-up to the 2013 rebuilding, the Okihiki festival

3741-522: The death of her and in the Nihon Shoki the reason the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of the sky is that Amaterasu was unwilling to go near Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto the moon god after he committed the murder. Amaterasu is linked with Toyouke-hime as the sun is necessary for food to grow. This was prior to the Tenson Korin and the establishment of Ise Jingu . Emperor Suinin is said to have established

3828-405: The deity enclosed within the shrine. Historically, this cyclical reconstruction has been practiced for many years in various shrines throughout Japan, meaning that it is not a process exclusive to Ise. The entire reconstruction process takes more or less 17 years, with the initial years focusing on project organization and general planning, and the last 8 years focusing on the physical construction of

3915-470: The discipline of Ise Shintō (Watarai Shintō) originated by a priest at Geku named Watarai Ieyuki ( 度会家行 ) , Toyouke-Ōmikami is recognized as the first divine being which appeared in this world. In their idea, Toyouke is also identical to Ame no minakanushi and Kuni no tokotachi . In this sect of Shinto, Geku, or the shrine of Toyouke-Ōmikami, is treated as ranked higher than Naiku, or the shrine of Amaterasu. Omonoimi no Kami  [ ja ; simple ]

4002-403: The early Heian period . In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered imperial messengers to be sent to report important events to the guardian kami of Japan. These heihaku were initially presented to 16 shrines including the Ise Shrine. From the late 7th century until the 14th century, the role of chief priestess of Ise Shrine was carried out by a female member of the Imperial House of Japan known as

4089-483: The eastern Nara basin. When Princess Yamatohime-no-mikoto arrived at the village of Uji-tachi, she set up fifty bells to designate the area as enshrined for the goddess Amaterasu, which is why the river is called the Isuzu , or "fifty bells". Geku was founded after Emperor Yuryaku dreamt that he saw Amaterasu . She said she was unable to get food and asked him to bring Toyouke-hime from Tanba help her with food. Besides

4176-563: The establishment of State Shinto , the position of chief priest of the Ise Shrine was fulfilled by the reigning emperor and the Meiji , Taisho and Shōwa Emperors all played the role of chief priest during their reigns. Since the disestablishment of State Shinto during the Occupation of Japan , the offices of chief priest and most sacred priestess have been held by former members of the imperial family or their descendants. The current chief priest of

4263-529: The first Emperor by the gods. From a path that follows the line of the outer wall, the distinctive roof of the shrine building can be seen through the trees. In front of the walled shrine compound can be seen an open area which was the location of the rebuilding of the shrine in 2013. The pilgrimage to the Ise shrine, also known as Sangū , gained immense popularity during the Edo Period, where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims would travel there every year. The growth

4350-562: The first of the three main festivals held in Kyoto each year, re-enacts the Heian period march of the saiō to the Shimigamo Shrine (lower Kamo Shrine ) in Sakyo Ward. This festival is held every year on May 15 and in 2006 consisted of 511 people dressed in traditional Heian court clothing and 40 cows and horses, stretching around 800 m (2,600 ft) from start to finish. This festival

4437-513: The god of agriculture, rice harvest and industry. Besides Naikū and Gekū, there are an additional 123 Shinto shrines in Ise City and the surrounding areas, 91 of them connected to Naikū and 32 to Gekū. Purportedly the home of the Sacred Mirror , the shrine is one of Shinto's holiest and most important sites. Access to both sites is strictly limited, with the general public not allowed beyond sight of

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4524-451: The goddess Amaterasu, wandering for 20 years through the regions of Omi and Mino. Her search eventually brought her to Ise, in modern Mie Prefecture , where she is said to have established Naikū after hearing the voice of Amaterasu saying "(Ise) is a secluded and pleasant land. In this land I wish to dwell." Before Yamatohime-no-mikoto 's journey, Amaterasu had been worshiped at the imperial residence in Yamato , then briefly at Kasanui in

4611-508: The goddess Amaterasu. The grounds of Naikū contain a number of structures, including the following: This 100 meter wooden bridge, built in a traditional Japanese style, stretches across the Isuzu River at the entrance of Naikū. Like the shrine buildings of Naikū, it is rebuilt every 20 years as a part of the Shikinen Sengū ceremony. The bridge is typically built by carpenters with less experience to gain more skills before moving on to take on

4698-641: The hilltop of Hiji in Tamba province, when an old couple hid Toyouke's heavenly robe so that she was not able to return to the heavenly world. Toyouke tended to that old couple for over ten years and brewed sake which cured any ailment, but was expelled from the household and wandered to reach and settle at Nagu village as a local deity. The anecdote in the Fudoki of Settsu Province "Settsu-no-kuni fudoki" mentions that Toyouke no megami ( 止与宇可乃売神 ) had lived in Tango. She

4785-530: The journey, which lasted six days and five nights. From Kyoto, they travelled in an eastward direction, passing through the Suzuka Pass, which was without doubt the most difficult part of the journey. Once clearing the pass, the retinue would descend into the Ise region and turn south, eventually reaching the Kushida River ( 櫛田川 ) . Here, the saiō would stop to perform a final cleansing ritual before crossing

4872-427: The most part, peaceful. The saiō would spend her time composing waka verses, collect shells on the shore of Ōyodo beach, or set out in boats and recite poetry upon the water and wait to be recalled to Kyoto . When an Emperor died or abdicated the throne, when the saiō 's relative died, or when certain political power required, she would be recalled to the capital and a new saiō selected from one of

4959-400: The new Emperor's unmarried female relatives using divination by either burnt tortoise shell or deer bones. The new saiō would then undergo a period of purification before setting out with her retinue of up to 500 people for Saikū, never to return to the capital until recalled by the next Emperor. Upon the selection of the new saiō , the current saiō and her retinue would return to

5046-535: The only three offerings performed by the Saiō , an imperial princess who served as high priestess of the shrine until the 14th century. These offerings are based on the cycle of the agricultural year and are still performed today. The first important ceremony of the modern calendar year is the Kinen-sai , where prayers are offered for a bountiful harvest. Kazahinomisai, where prayers for fair weather and sufficient rains are made,

5133-446: The pool of available miyadaiku has thinned out. Specialized work and the specific materials come with a cost; in 2013, the shrine was built from private donations alone, totaling 57 billion Japanese Yen (US$ 550 million). In August, in a long-standing tradition, the people who live in Ise are allowed to enter the area around the Inner Sanctum of the Naiku as well as the Geku. Some villages drag

5220-468: The priesthood has been inherited by Kawada clan, the further relative of the Fujiwara clan . Emperor Sujin appointed imperial daughter Princess Toyosuki-iri ( 豊鍬入姫命 , Toyosuki-iri hime ) as a Saiō to serve "as a cane for Amaterasu" to find a new location to reside, and dispatched Toyosuki-iri to travel from present day Nara to neighboring areas. It is said that on the route, several locations hosted

5307-450: The river and travelling the short distance to Saikū. The saiō was expected to remain at Saikū until the emperor whom she represented either died or abdicated the throne. The saiō was permitted to return to Kyoto only on the provision of a close relative's death. When returning to Kyoto, a different route was taken through the mountains to Nara, then to Osaka Bay where a ceremony was to be performed before she could finally return to

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5394-420: The sacred central pole before the removal of the oi-ya, so that the central pole is never seen. The central pole of the old shrine will then have a new oi-ya erected so that the shin-no-mihashira also remains unseen. The erection of a single post in the center of a sacred area strewn with stones represents the form taken by Japanese places of worship in very ancient times; the shin-no-mihashira would thus be

5481-506: The sacred fire are stored in a box made of Japanese cypress, then purified at the Haraedo immediately in front of the Imibiyaden before being offered to the kami. The pilgrimage path then approaches the fence of the inner sanctum (昇殿, shōden) of Naikū by a set of large stone steps. Within another set of fencing inside the gate is the main shrine (正宮, seigū) itself. Visitors are supposed to keep to

5568-434: The sacred fire. This hall for special prayer, located just after the second large torii gate, is open to the public for the offering of individual prayers to the kami, the giving of donations and the purchase of special talisman of protection, amulets and hanging scrolls of Amaterasu Omikami. This hall contains the sacred fire used to cook all of the food offerings to the kami of Ise Shrine. Rice and other offerings cooked on

5655-455: The sacred space around the Inner Sanctum. The entire tradition is called Shiraisshiki and it is very colourful with every participant wearing a happi coat representing a particular village. The rebuilding of the main shrine takes place on a site adjacent to the old, and each rebuilding alternates between the two sites. The next scheduled rebuilding of Naikū is due in 2033 on the lower, northern site. Various other religious ceremonies are held with

5742-403: The shrine building, the site where the previous shrine once stood and where the next will be built, is called the kodenchi . This area is strewn with large white pebbles and is left totally empty apart from the oi-ya , a small wooden hut containing a wooden pole a little over 2 metres in height called the shin-no-mihashira (new sacred central pole). When a new shrine is built, it is built around

5829-474: The shrine in 50 days in 1625, and 1.18 million people visited the shrine in three days in 1829 when the grand festival held every 20 years was held. Because the shrine is considered sanctuary , no security checkpoints were conducted, as it was considered sacrilege by the faithful. The two main shrines of Ise are joined by a pilgrimage road that passes through the old entertainment district of Furuichi. The chief priest or priestess of Ise Shrine must be related to

5916-488: The shrine is Takatsukasa Naotake  [ ja ] , adoptive son of Takatsukasa Kazuko . He succeeded Kitashirakawa Michihisa, a great-grandson of Emperor Meiji , in 2007. Takatsukasa Kazuko was succeeded by her younger sister, Ikeda Atsuko . In 2012, Ikeda was joined by her niece Sayako Kuroda , sole daughter of Emperor Akihito , to serve as a high priestess under her. On 19 June 2017, Sayako officially replaced her aunt as supreme priestess. The architectural style of

6003-465: The shrine must be skilled in specific techniques. Power tools are not allowed within the area of the shrine, which means that skilled artisans and carpenters known as miyadaiku are necessary in the construction process. The unit of workers is also organized around relative skill levels, and less experienced workers will work on smaller tasks than more experienced workers. The importance of hiring specifically local artisans has decreased throughout time, for

6090-471: The shrine that were very appealing to those who had made the long trek to the shrine. Additionally, people wanted souvenirs, which resulted in a variety of vendors at Ise selling general goods and specialty items. There were also various post stations which had specific gifts, many of which were woodblock prints. The pilgrimage had multiple purposes and appeals. It was seen as a purification process, and by visiting Ise, pilgrims were purified and aided in receiving

6177-463: The shrine to worship Amaterasu at a permanent location after many temporary locations. In contrast with Kotai jingu  [ ja ] , this shrine is not explicitly mentioned in the Kojiki or the Nihon Shoki . Besides the traditional establishment date of 4 BC, it has also been proposed as having been made in the 5th century. The shrine officially states it was created 1500 years ago in response to

6264-476: The shrine. Saikan and Anzaisho are the Purification Hall and Hall for Imperial Household Visitors respectively. They are on the right side of the pilgrimage path. The Saikan, which is surrounded by fences, is used by Shinto priests to purify themselves. They stay here for one or two nights to cleanse their minds from worldly concerns before performing rituals, as they bathe and eat meals prepared with sacred fire to achieve spiritual serenity; adjacent to Saikan, there

6351-457: The shrine. The shrine has evolved throughout the years in its reconstruction, while maintaining some of its key features. The shrine was not originally constructed with gold copper adornments; however, because of advancements in technology as well as Buddhist influence, it gained them over the years. Another example of Buddhist influence on the shrine is the use of Suedama , which are Buddhist orbs seen on various religious structures. It symbolizes

6438-492: The shrine. The remains of Saikū are situated in the town of Meiwa , Mie Prefecture , Japan . According to Japanese legend, around 2,000 years ago the divine Yamatohime-no-mikoto , daughter of the Emperor Suinin , set out from Mount Miwa in Nara Prefecture in search of a permanent location to worship the goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami . Her search lasted for 20 years and eventually brought her to Ise, Mie Prefecture, where

6525-438: The sides of the path as the middle is set aside for the goddess Amaterasu. Etiquette is the same as for most Shinto shrines. Though the actual shrine is hidden behind a large fence, pilgrims can approach the gate to offer their prayers. Photographs in this area are prohibited and this restriction is strictly policed. Kotai Jingū is said to hold the Sacred Mirror , one of three Imperial Regalia of Japan said to have been given to

6612-492: The spirit of Amaterasu by building her shrines, while Tango had the first of such shrines among the list of relocation sites. Those shrines honor Amaterasu as their main kami are: In addition, Toyouke-Ōmikami is worshiped at many branches of Ise shrines called Shinmei shrines , along with Amaterasu, and separate shrines are often built on the property of regular shrines for Toyouke-Ōmikami. There are also Inari shrines where they build altars for Toyouke as well. According to

6699-536: The survival of a symbolism from a very primitive symbolism to the present day. The shrine buildings at Naikū and Gekū, as well as the Uji Bridge, are rebuilt every 20 years as a part of the Shinto belief in tokowaka (常若), which means renewing objects to maintain a strong sense of divine prestige in pursuit of eternity, and as a way of passing building techniques from one generation to the next. The twenty-year renewal process

6786-418: The system's collapse. Though the area of Saikū remained, it was unclear exactly where the old Imperial town stood until pottery remains were unearthed in 1970 during the construction of housing in the Saikū area, Meiwa Town. A modern museum was built on the site of the first finds and archaeological excavations are continuing, held each summer with the aid of volunteer school children from all over Japan. Though

6873-474: The task of working on the main shrine. On crossing the bridge, the path turns to the right along the banks of the Isuzu river and passes through large landscaped gardens. After crossing a short, wide bridge, pilgrims to the shrine encounter the Temizusha, a small, roofed structure containing a pool of water for use in ritual purification. Visitors are encouraged to wash their hands and rinse their mouths at Temizusha as

6960-532: The thatched roofs of the central structures, hidden behind four tall wooden fences . However, visitors are free to roam the forest, including its ornamental walkways which date back to the Meiji period . During the Edo period , it is estimated that one out of ten Japanese conducted an Okage Mairi pilgrimage to the shrine. Accordingly, pilgrimage to the shrine flourished in both commercial and religious frequency. According to historical documents, 3.62 million people visited

7047-426: The traditional establishment date of 4 BC, other dates of the 3rd and 5th centuries have been put forward for the establishment of Naikū and Gekū respectively. The first shrine building at Naikū was erected by Emperor Tenmu (678–686), with the first ceremonial rebuilding being carried out by his wife, Empress Jitō , in 692. The shrine was foremost among a group of shrines which became objects of imperial patronage in

7134-508: Was entered both in Kojiki and Nihonshoki , and was also the highest title given to water bodies. The shrine's auspicious spirit is said to be in the cuboid ( 盤座 , Iwakura ) , which has been worshiped as Ōmiae-ishi ( 大饗石 ) . There is a shrine named Moto-Ise Toyouke Daijingu  [ ja ] in Ōemachi, Fukuchiyama City to the south of Naiku of Moto-Ise uphill the Funaokayama. Its name literally means former Ise , where

7221-530: Was exponential, 5 million pilgrims visiting the shrine in the year 1830 alone. By the late 19th century, tourists from abroad began to visit and document Ise. The popularity of making a trip to Ise resulted in vast networks and groups of travelers, which ultimately led to businesses working to benefit from this influx of interest for the shrine. Travel guidebooks were made to aid travelers in their navigation, as well to let them know of specific important places to visit while at Ise. They also included woodblock prints of

7308-595: Was held in 2006 and 2007. A year after the completion of the Okihiki festival, carpenters begin preparing the wood for its eventual use in the Shrine. From the late seventh century, when the festivals and offerings of Ise Shrine became more formalised, a number of annual events have been performed at both Naikū and Gekū. The Tsukinamisai, which was held in June and December, as well as the Kannamesai Festival in September, were

7395-406: Was put to death for treason in 686 and Princess Ōku was relieved of her duties and returned to Yamato. Here, she enshrined her brother's remains on Mt. Futakami before she died the age of 41. The Tale of Genji tells the story of Rokujo-no-miyasudokoro, which is believed to be based on Princess Yoshiko, who served as saiō from 936 to 945. In The Tale of Genji , Rokujo-no-miyasudokoro became

7482-484: Was told by Amaterasu in his dream that she alone was not able to supply enough food, so that Yūryaku needed to bring Toyuke-no-Ōkami ( 等由気大神 ) , or the goddess of divine meals, from Hijino Manai in ancient Tanba Province . Stories among various Fudoki indicate the origin of Toyouke: In that of Tango, or " Tango no kuni fudoki  [ ja ] ", Toyouke-bime ( 豊宇賀能売命 , Toyouke-bime-no-kami ) had been bathing with other seven deities at Manai spring on

7569-466: Was unable to get food and asked him to bring Toyouke-hime from Tanba help her with food. Daiichi-torii-guchi Sando is the primary route into the shrine. It is a Sandō that starts at the Hiyokebashi bridge entrance, and beyond this bridge, the Temizusha (ablution font) is visible on the left side. A Temizusha is present at the shrine for worshippers to purify . An alternative entrance path for

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