Takachiho Shrine

I might as well introduce Takachiho shrine (高千穂神社) where night kagura performance takes place. Please visit part one and part two entries if you are interested in the night kagura performance.

Main Hall at night

The enshrined deities are Takachiho sumegami (高千穂皇神) and Jussha Daimyojin (十社大明神). Both Takachiho sumegami and Jussha Daimyojin are collective terms of deities.

Torii gate

Takachiho sumegami includes so-called "Himuka Sandai/日向三代 (Three generations of deities settled in Himuka (日向)" and their spouses. That is:

Ninigi (ニニギ), Konohanasakuyabime/コノハナノサクヤビメ

Hoori (ホオリ), Toyotamahime/トヨタマヒメ 

Ugayafukiaezu (ウガヤフキアエズ), Tamayoribime/タマヨリビメ)

Jussha Daimyojin (十社大明神) are Mikeirinomikoto (三毛入野命) who is a brother of the first Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇), his spouse, Unomehime (鵜目姫) and their offsprings (Mikotaro/御子太郎, Jiro/二郎, Saburo/三郎, Unemi/畝見, Teruno/照野, Ohto/大戸, Reisha/霊社, and Asarabe/浅良部).

Inside of Main Hall

According to the local narratives, Mikeirinomikoto exterminated a demon named Kihachi (鬼八) and settled a palace there. On the other hand, according to the shrine's articles, a son of Emperor Jimmu rooted Kihachifushi (demon) out. Later on, the offspring of Emperor Jimmu was enshrined as Jussha Daimyojin.

Alternatively, Mikeirinomikoto rescued his future wife, Unomehime, from the demon Kihachi and they were married, later on, another narrative depicted.

It is widely recognized that the shrine initiated its history when Mikeirinomikoto enshrined Himuka Sandai deities by building Himorogi (sacred altar/神籬). Since then descendants of Mikeirinomikoto's offspring worshipped enshrined deities. Later on Mikeirinomikoto himself and other Jussha Daimyojin deities were also included as enshrined deities. Eventually, during Emperor Suinin (垂仁天皇)'s reign (29 BC- 70 AD), the buildings were made.

The cedar tree named "Couple cedar/夫婦杉" is well known for benefiting a couple (1) happy marriage, (2) family safety and well-being (3) prosperity after making a circle around the tree three times. The nickname came from the fact that two independent-looking cedar trees were branched from the same root.

Takachiho Kagura Performance Part 2

This is the part 2 entry of Takachiho Night Kagura performance. If you are curious about it, please visit part one entry to get to know more about it.

The night Kagura performance goes on to the last chapter:

(4) Dance performance of Goshintai (御神体の舞)

The performance was considered to depict the process of formation of the country (called Kuniumi/国産み) that was conducted by Izanagi and his spouse, Izanami in Japan myths (Kojiki and Nihon Shoki). They are enshrined in several shrines in Takachiho because they are parents of Amaterasu.

However, it is said that the performance was originated from the ritual ceremony of bumper crops called Niiname-sai (新嘗祭 = harvest festival). Needless to say, crop means rice in Japan and the sake is made from rice. That's why the performance was also called "the dance performance of brewing sake", where a pair of male and female deities (Izanagi and Izanami in the case of Takachiho night kagura) cooperate to make sake from freshly harvested rice for devoting to Shinto deities.

After the ceremony we mankind are allowed to eat devoted rice and sake. Through this process of sharing the same foods with shinto deities mankind feel their worshipping deities as a part of their flesh and soul, ancient Japanese believed.

According to Japan mythology, Izanagi and Izanami appear in two chapters called Kuniumi (formation of the country) and Kamiumi (birth of gods/神産み). However, they didn't make sake, as far as I am concerned. Sukunabikona (スクナビコナ) is a deity of brewing rice.

That's why, unlike previous 3 kaguras described here, this dance performance is not based on mythologies, instead, it's more oriented toward entertainment and comedy. 

Izamagi (male deity with red mask on the left) and his wife Izanami (white mask on the right) appear on stage by carrying instruments/tools for brewing rice.  

They make booze cheerfully

and comically

time for Kanpai (cheers)

one more kanpai

me too

me three

Izanami has had enough but her drunk husband wouldn't let her go...

She spilled

but not that much

That's the consequence 

Izamagi doesn't behave himself. He found a pretty lass in a crowd.

Izanami said to Izanagi "She is taken. Give it up."

Now it's her turn!

God's punishment for an innocent mankind

Sake tastes much better after the punishment

If so, then please go ahead, my Darling

BTW, do you know the meaning of Kanpai? Kan(乾=dry=empty)-pai (杯=glass=barrel in this case).

That's the shinto deity's way of "Kanpai= Empty it out." 

Confidential ritual ceremony???

Are you all right my Dear?

For sure, he's got a mission of sharing rice with us.

Fin

Takachiho Kagura Performance

Takachiko (高千穂) is well-known as a town of Myths where traditional dance performance called "Kagura (神楽)" takes place for visitors almost every night at Kagura-den Hall (神楽殿) of Takachiho shrine (高千穂神社).

Amano Uzume

In the first palace of Takachiho shrine, Takachiho sumera-gami deities (高千穂皇神) are enshrined whereas in the second palace Jyusha daimyojin deities (十社大明神) are enshrined.

Takachiho sumera-gami deities are said to be a general term of so called deities of Himuka sandai and their spouse deities. "Himuka saidai (日向三代)" means three generations of deities settled in Himuka/日向 where Takachiho locates that include Ninigi (ニニギ : grandchild of Amaterasu and the first generation of Himuka and Konohana sakuyabime/木花之佐久夜毘売 is his wife), Hoori (ホオリ: second son of Ninigi- second generation whose spouse is Toyotamahime/トヨタマヒメ) and Ugayafukiaezu ( 鸕鶿草葺不合尊: son of Hoori and hence the third generation, who is also the father of the first Emperor, Jimmu. His spouse is Tamayoribime/タマヨリビメ who is a younger sister of Toyotamahime).

Jyusha daimyojin (= ten great shining deities) include the older brother of Emperor Jimmu, Mikenuno-mikoto (三毛入野命), his spouse (Unomehime/鵜目姫) and offsprings, who are Mikotaro (御子太郎), Jiro (二郎), Saburo (三郎), Unemi (畝見), Teruno (照野), Ohto (大戸), Reisha (霊社), and Asarabe (浅良部).

According to the shrine's narrative, the shrine launched its history when Mikenuno-mikoto built Himorogi (神籬) to enshrine Takachiho sumera-gami deities (they are his ancestors). During Emperor Suinin (垂仁天皇) 's era, the shrine building was made.

In Kaguraden hall, night kagura takes place almost every night. It costs 700 JPY, consisting of 4 famous stages that are based on Japan mythologies. Along with traditional instruments orchestra, following performances are provided. It is registered as List of Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.

(1) Dance performance of Amano Tajikarao (手力雄の舞)
     Due to the conflict made between Amaterasu and her younger brother, Susanowo, Amaeterasu hid herself into  cave called "Amano Iwato". His dance depicts the scene where Amano Tajikarao tries to find where Amaterasu hid.

(2) Dance performance of Amano Uzume (鈿女の舞)
     Thanks to Amano Tajikarao's efforts on finding Amaterasu, it is clear where Amaterasu hides herself. Now Amano Uzume tries to draw Amaterasu's attention by dancing in a funny way that made numerous deities bursted into laughter.

(3) Totori dance performance (戸取の舞)
     Again, Amano Tajikarao appears with red mask. He tries to break the door and eventually take it away so that Amaterasu can get herself out from the cave.

Note that Amaterasu (shrine) revealed eventually

(4) Dance performance of Goshintai (御神体の舞)
      This is bit unusual. A couple of deities, Izanagi and Izanami make sake (Japanese wine), dedicate and enjoy drinking it cheerfully.


I will post photos taken during (4) in the following post. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Amanoyasugawara in Takachiho

This is the 200th entry in this blog that was launched in October, 2010!!!

One of my dreams came true! I've been so desperate to visit Takachiho (高千穂), a town of Japan myths.

Takachiho district in Miyazaki Prefecture is said to be the place where, Ninigi (ニニギ), grandson of Amaterasu (アマテラス), descended from Taka-amahara (高天原) to the peak of Takachiho to govern the world. The mission is called "Tenson Kohrin" 天孫降臨" -天孫(Tenson: grandchild of Amaterasu= Ninigi) 降臨 (kohrin: descending from heaven).

It's still controversial where Takachiho is. In fact, there are numerous places (self-)proclaiming "Takachiho as the place where Ninigi descended" all over Japan. Surprisingly candidate exists even in Korea!!! Among them, Takachiho in Miyazaki Prefecture is widely recognized as highly likely the place...

To support Ninigi, several deities accompanied to complete his mission. That includes : Amano-koyane (天児屋命- ancestor deity of Nakatomi clan) , Futodama (フトダマ- ancestor deity of Inbe clan/忌部氏 and a son of Takami-musubi/タカミムスビ), Amano-uzume (アマノウズメ- ancestor deity of Sarumeno-kimi/猿女君), Ishikoritobe (イシコリトベ- deity specialized in mirror-making)

When Ninigi was commanded by Amaterasu to rule (= conquer) the world, Amaterasu bestowed him the three Sacred Treasures of Japan (Imperial regalia of Japan) that consist of Yata kagami/八咫鏡 (mirror), Ameno-murakumono-tsurugi/天叢雲剣 (sword) and Yasakanino-magatama/八尺瓊勾玉 (jewel). Then a couple of more deities are appointed to support Ninigi that are Omoikane (オモイカネ- a deity of intelligence), Ameno-tajikarao (アメノタヂカラヲ- deity of power) and Amano-iwatowake (あまのいわとわけ - a son of Futodama).

Let's assume that Takachiho in Miyazaki is the place of "Ninigi-descending" and move on to the other chapter in Japan myths, named Iwato Kakure (岩戸隠れ). 

Amano-iwato shrine (天岩戸神社), as the name says, is believed to be the place where Iwato Kakure took place. Amano-Iwato (天岩戸) literally means "The cave of the sun goddess" or "heavenly rock cave".

As a result of ritual celemony called "Ukei" (see more in detail in my old entry) made between Amaterasu and her younger brother, Susanowo, that Susanowo claimed himself to be the winner with no clear justification... Susanowo, a winner of a game, plunged himself into a series of unbearable, reckless and rowdy acts in Amaterasu's territory. Japan myths denote that Susanowo buried irrigation ditches along rice fields (causing rice drought to death), scattered his excretions (shxts) in Amaterasu's Palace (disgusting!!!) and so on. Amaterasu, however, didn't blame him and that stirred Susanowo's acts even worse.

One day when Amaterasu was in the weaver's building and knitted the robe to dedicate to the deity, Susanowo made a hall in the ceiling of weaver's building and threw the flayed (skin-peeled) horse through the hole. One of weavers is terrified with that and she passed away.

That was beyond Amaterasu's mercy. Instead of punishing him, Amaterasu decided to hide herself in the Ameno-Iwato cave named Gyoboga-iwaya (仰慕窟). The darkness and disasters overwhelmed an entire world because Amaterasu is considered to be a deity of the Sun(light).

Gyoboga-iwaya (仰慕窟)

Millions of deities got together at the Amano-yasugawara (天安河原) to solve the problem.

Amano-yasugawara

Omoikane (オモイカネ), a deity of intelligence, raised several ideas and asked other deities favors to performed several ritual ceremonies.
(1) Naganakidori (= long crowing roosters 長鳴鶏) are gathered.
(2) Find Amatsumara (天津麻羅: a specialist in metalsmith) to support Ishikoritobe to make Yata kagami (Imperial regalia. See above) from rocks and irons found in the upper stream of Amano-yasugawara.

Amano-yasugawara - a place to supply rocks and irons

(3) Tamaoya (玉祖命: literally means "ancestor deity of jewel") made Yasakanino-magatama (another Imperial regalia).
(4) Amano-koyane  and Futodama performed "Futomani (太占)", a traditional Shinto system of divination.
(5) Dig sakaki (Cleyera japonica tree/サカキ) in the soil, cut branches and hang Yata kagami, Yasakanino-magatama and fuhaku (= weaving/布帛) up on branches of sakaki tree. Futodama used this decoration as Gohei (=wooden wands/御幣)

Sakaki tree branches

(6) Amano-koyane addressed Norito (祝詞/= liturgical texts or ritual incantations). 
(7) Ameno-tajikarao stood by the side of Amano-iwato.
(8) Amano-uzume (female deity) performed an explicit dance that bursted all the participated deities into laughter. 

Her performance caught Amaterasu's attention!

Amaterasu opened the gate of Amano-iwato just a little bit and wondered. 

"What's going on outside of the world without me (sunlight)???"

Amano-uzume replied to Amaterasu that even superior deity have appeared at last since you've hidden yourself in the cave and we are grateful for that.

Amano-koyane and Futodama brought the mirror in front of Amaterasu. When Amaterasu saw her own face on the mirror, she misunderstood that what she sees in the mirror is the superior deity they mentioned. She, then, opened the door further to gaze superior deity. Now the space Amaterasu made is wide enough for Ameno-tajikarao to drag her out from the cave to outside of the world.

As soon as Amaterasu came out from the cave, Futodama fastened shimenawa (= enclosed rope/注連縄, meaning "Keep OUT") and begged Amaterasu not to hide herself again.

Shimenawa

Eventually the world is lightened. 

When thinking about the cause of the disaster, it was all due to a series of unbearable misbehaviours of Susanowo. Numerous deities sentenced him a guilty to force him to shave his beard (a symbol of the power then) and tear all of his nails off from hands and feet as punishment. He was, eventually, exiled from Amaterasu's homeland (heaven).

Omoikane (思兼神) and numerous deities (八百萬神) are enshrined there

Whew!!! This is the introduction and background info about Amano-iwato.

In 1970 two shrines are combined and collectively called Amano-iwato shrine. It is comprised of two palaces - East (東本宮) and West Palace (西本宮).

Needless to say, the enshrined deity in Amano-iwato shrine on both palaces is Amaterasu, however, they employ different names of Amaterasu - Amaterasu-ohmikami (天照皇大神 - ancestor deity of the Sun in Japan Royal family) in East and Oh-hirume in West. Oh-hirume,大日孁尊, means 大/great, 日孁/noble miko serving to the Sun.  孁 is considered to be the same as 巫 in the past, meaning miko (巫女).

The West palace started its history as a place to worship Amano-yasugawara and the cave where Iwato Kakure took place.

Torii and hall in the cave

It's not clear when the shrine was launched but they say that the history started when Ninigi, who recalled what happened to Amaterasu there (Iwato Kakure), visited there and enshrined his grandmom, Amaterasu there.

Amano-yasugawara lied by the Iwato river - 500 meter away from the West Palace of Amano-iwato shrine. When there is a heavy rain, it is not accessible due to the increased mass of Iwato river. That happens from time to time, especially when typhoon arrives.

Visitors build a pile of pebbles there. Based on Wiki in Japanese, such custom started spontaneously after the World War II.

That really gives mysterious vibe there.

Thank you for reading (or scrolling down) to the end of 200th entry made by Shinto otaku!!!