Photography
KAMI NO MIYA
IZUMO OYASHIRO- Grand Sengu of The Heisei period
Great renovation of the shrine building of Heisei
神の宮
出雲大社「平成の大遷宮」
There was held the Transfer ceremony, “Honden Senza-sai” at Izumo Oyashiro on May 10, 2013. This is the most great ritual to transfer the sacred subject of worship from the temporary shrine to the main shrine. This ritual called “Sengu” of Izumo Oyashiro is held traditionally once every 60 years.
The main shrine is designated as a National Treasure and is the largest shrine in Japan. The roof of the main shrine is renovated carefully because its structure is too huge to be rebuilt as Ise Jingu. And replaced so many roof barks and repaired the main gate, “Ro-mon” and the gate of the fence of the sanctuary, “Yatsuashi-mon”.
During the renovation, the divinities are transferred to the Temporary shrine, and after the completion, they are settled in the Main shrine and their surrounding shrine edifices. For this reason, the transfer of the sacred subject is performed twice.
The enshrined divinity is Okuninushi-no-0kami, who is revered as the divinity of the founding nation. He is also famous as the divinity of match-making, and is not limited to the relationships between men and women, but all destinies in the world. He is affectionately called ‘Daikoku-sama’ by the people, and is a tutelary divinity that saves people from illness and suffering. According to “Nihon-shoki”, after the nation was founded, it was handed over to the son of Amaterasu-Omikami, the supreme divinity of the Japanese people. He is now enshrined in Izumo Taisha, where he rules over the world of the divinities “Kakuriyo”, a refuge from the mundane world. It is also the dwelling place of our souls.
By restoring the edifice of Izumo Oyashiro in the occasion of “Sengu ritual”, the spiritual power of the divinities will be strengthened and revived. We are not living alone, but we are blessed with all kinds of fortune, and Okuninushi-no-Okami is the one who achieves good fortune.
Since ancient times, we Japanese have lived in harmony with nature. To express gratitude for the blessings of nature, we worship the divinities. Also, the fear of nature is likened to a raging divinity, and he is enshrined to appease his anger.
Human beings are part of the natural world, and if nature is damaged, naturally we cannot remain unscathed. Each of us should have to think about this and find a way to live in harmony with nature. “Sengu” may be a profound message left by our ancestors regarding the succession of life.
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楼門
Ro-monThe tower gate
楼門
Ro-monThe tower gate
The main gate “Ro-mon”, is located in “Tamagaki”, the inner fence of the sanctuary. In general, it is not open to the public, and it is not possible to enter inside. Worshipping “Mikakiuchi” for the special occasion, is also performed outside in front of this gate, inside “Mizugaki”, the outer fence.
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浄夜の御本殿 三
Joya no Gohonden 3Main Shrine on a sacred night
浄夜の御本殿 三
Joya no Gohonden 3Main Shrine on a sacred night
The main shrine is illuminated by lanterns, where enshrined Izumo Oyashiro's divinity, Okuninushi-no-Okami. The precinct of the sacred night is filled with a sacred atmosphere.
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御本殿とオリオン座
Gohonden to Orion-zaMain shrine and Orion constellation
御本殿とオリオン座
Gohonden to Orion-zaMain shrine and Orion constellation
There are triple stars of Orion in the limpid winter sky. The movement of the stars overlaps the magnificent main shrine, and making it as a celestial sanctuary.
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退下
TaigeDeparture of the priest
退下
TaigeDeparture of the priest
There held the “Kariden Senza-sai” on April 20, 2008, in this ceremony the enshrined deity Okuninushi-no-Okami was transferred to the temporary shrine, “Gokariden”. Prior to this, the purification ceremony “Kiyoharai” is commenced to welcome divinity’s temporary sojourn. At a glance the priests’ white clothes bright in the daylight, and now they are leaving the Temporary shrine that has completed preparations.
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東西門神社 仮殿遷座祭 参進
Tosai Mikado-no-Kami-no-Yashiro,Kariden-Senza-sai, SanshinThe ceremony of transfer to the temporary shrine. Procession to the East and West gate shrines
April 4, 2008. 東西門神社 仮殿遷座祭 参進
Tosai Mikado-no-Kami-no-Yashiro,Kariden-Senza-sai, SanshinThe ceremony of transfer to the temporary shrine. Procession to the East and West gate shrines
April 4, 2008.When the sun sets, the priests march in procession to transfer the divinities of the east and west gate shrines “Mikado-no-Kami-no-Yashiro”, to the “Gokariden”. As in the case of Ise Jingu, the transfer takes place on a sacred night. They are the gatekeeper divinities of the sanctuary where Okuninushi-no-Okami is enshrined, and “Uji-no-Kami” sits in the East side shrine, and “Kutami-no-Kami” in the West side.
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内三社の仮殿遷座祭
Uchisansya no Kariden Senza-saiCeremony at the three shrines in the inner sanctuary
April 5, 2008. 内三社の仮殿遷座祭
Uchisansya no Kariden Senza-saiCeremony at the three shrines in the inner sanctuary
April 5, 2008.There are three auxiliary shrines within the Mizugaki sanctuary, “Mimukai no Yashiro”, “Tsukushi-no-Yashiro”, and “Amasaki-no-Yashiro”. The divinities enshrined here are also transferred to the “Gokariden”.
The deity of Mimukai no Yashiro is “Suserihime-no-Mikoto”, and of Tsukushi-no-Yashiro “Tagirihime-no-Mikoto”, and of Amasaki no Yashiro “Kisagaihime-no-Mikoto” and “Umugaihime-no-Mikoto”. Each of them is a goddess who helped and served Okuninushi-no- Okami. As the sun sets and the sacred darkness hangs over the precincts, a silk fence, called a “Kinugaki”, is spread to hide and enclose the vehicle of the sacred subjects, “Mikoshi”. -
古代御本殿の宇豆柱
Kodai Gohonden no UzubashiraColumn of the ancient main shrine
<Excavated from the precinct of Izumo Oyashiro Shrine in 2000> 古代御本殿の宇豆柱
Kodai Gohonden no UzubashiraColumn of the ancient main shrine
<Excavated from the precinct of Izumo Oyashiro Shrine in 2000>It is said that the main shrine was 96 meters high in ancient times, and 48 meters in the Middle Ages. In 2000, it is excavated the magnificient pillar from the precinct, and called the “Uzubashira”, the ridge support pillar, and is made up of three enourmous trunks of Japanese cedar trees, with a diameter of about 3 meters. As if the history of Izumo Taisha is written in each wood rings of the Uzubashira, and the ancient prayers seem to be heard even now.
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牛飼神仮殿遷座祭 一
Ushikaijin Kariden Senza-sai 1Ceremony of the temporary shrine pavillion of “Kyakuden” and “Ushikaijin”
April 15, 2008. 牛飼神仮殿遷座祭 一
Ushikaijin Kariden Senza-sai 1Ceremony of the temporary shrine pavillion of “Kyakuden” and “Ushikaijin”
April 15, 2008.The divinities transferred to the “Gokariden” are the deities and the child deity of “Wakafutsunushi-no-Mikoto” treated at “Kyakuden” inside the main shrine. The priests proceed to the main shrine, with the light of the lanterns. Only Starlight and lanterns are the guides on the holy night, and the “Senza-sai” ceremony is held in strict observance of old traditions.
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仮殿遷座祭 一
Kariden Senza-sai 1Ceremony to move to the Temporary shrine
April 20, 2008. 仮殿遷座祭 一
Kariden Senza-sai 1Ceremony to move to the Temporary shrine
April 20, 2008.The day has come for Okuninushi-no-Okami to move into the Temporaly shrine, “Gokariden”. A silk fence is prepared by the priests in front of the tower gate . And the vehicle of the sacred subjects “Mikoshi” is hidden in this silk fence, because of the visitors are not allowed to see it. Despite this, many people gather at Izumo Oyashiro to celebrate the transfer of “Okami”. In this way, our ancestors entrusted the spirit of reverence for the divinity and handed down the rituals with great care.
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御本殿の鍵
Gohonden no kagiThe lock of the main shrine
御本殿の鍵
Gohonden no kagiThe lock of the main shrine
The key to the door that guards the holy mansion of Okuninushi-no-Okami. Normally, it is forbidden to enter “Tamagaki”, but since Okami was transferred to the “Gokariden” at this moment, I was allowed to take pictures. I am grateful to have been given this precious opportunity that comes once every 60 years.
The next Great “Sengu” should be 60 years later, in 2073. People grow old and leave this world, but “Izumo Oyashiro” and “Ise Jingu” will continue to be rebuilt over and over again, and people's prayers will continue forever. -
瑞垣内の建物
Mizugaki-nai no TatemonoEdifices inside Mizugaki Wall
瑞垣内の建物
Mizugaki-nai no TatemonoEdifices inside Mizugaki Wall
Enter from the “Yatsuashi-mon” Gate to the sanctuary inside “Mizugaki”, the “Ro-mon” Gate in front, the “Mikadono Kami-no-Yashiro” Shrines to the east and west, and the “Mimukai-no-Yashiro” Shrine. And behind these, “Amasaki-no-Yashiro” Shrine to the east, and “Tsukushi-no-Yashiro” Shrine in the west. The surrounded by “Mizugaki” is a very profound sanctuary where divinities reside.
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ご本殿大屋根の千木と勝男木
Gohonden-0yane no Chigi to Katsuogi“Chigi” and “Katsuogi” on the grand roof of the main shrine
ご本殿大屋根の千木と勝男木
Gohonden-0yane no Chigi to Katsuogi“Chigi” and “Katsuogi” on the grand roof of the main shrine
In the year after the Temporary shrine “Senza-sai”, it began the whole repair work on the huge roof of the main shrine. About 600,000 pieces of cypress bark will be replaced, and “Chigi” and “Katsuogi” will be renewed. “Chigi” is 7.9 meters long and “Katsuogi” is about 5.5 meters long, each covered with copper plates and magnificently decorating the main shrine. The materials and woodwork of the ridges were extremely robust, and I could feel the strong will of our predecessors to inherit the tradition. This same will passes the technique on to the next generation of the craftsmen who participated in the “Great Sengu”.
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御本殿 高欄
Gohonden KoranThe balistrade “Koran” of the main shrine
御本殿 高欄
Gohonden KoranThe balistrade “Koran” of the main shrine
The white shadow on the wall of the main shrine is the remain of the “mikoshi” that was used in the penultimate “Sengu”. It was settled on the balistrade of the main shrine, but it was finally moved in this occasion. And now, after 130 years, there appeared old material of white tree remains intact from the wind and snow.
It is said that when the subject of worship should be placed on the “mikoshi”, its weight would be augmented unimaginablly. I could faintly feel the presence of divinity in the shade of the “mikoshi”. -
御本殿 鬼板 一
Gohonden Oniita 1“Oniita” (daemon plate) of the main shrine
御本殿 鬼板 一
Gohonden Oniita 1“Oniita” (daemon plate) of the main shrine
The large roof of the main shrine is decorated with “Chigi”, “Katsuogi”, and this “Oniita”. The ornamental pattern on the “Oniita” seems to represent the clouds of Izumo, which is said to be "yakumo tatsu (clouds rise up)".
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八足門 樓刻 一
Yatsuashi-mon Rokoku 1Sculpture of Yatsuashi-mon gate
八足門 樓刻 一
Yatsuashi-mon Rokoku 1Sculpture of Yatsuashi-mon gate
“Yatsuashi-mon” means a gate with a total of eight side pillars around the main pillar. The “Yatsuashi” Gate, which is located in the center of the south of “Mizugaki”, has beautiful carvings of the auspicious beast “Zuiju” and the decoration of flowing water “Ryuusui-mon”. This auspicious beast seems like a “Kirin” (dragon). A one-horned beast that should appear when a benevolent prince is born and its horn is encased in flesh and believed to be harmless to all life.
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御本殿清祓 二
Gohonden Kiyoharai 2Purification of the main shrine
May 9, 2013. 御本殿清祓 二
Gohonden Kiyoharai 2Purification of the main shrine
May 9, 2013.After the restorations are completed, the main shrine is purified before the return of the divinity Okuninushi-no-Okami. The Japanese habit to maintain the cleanness, such as preparing the shrine of the divinities beautifully and purifying oneself before going up to the shrine, may have come from ritual ceremony.
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客殿、牛飼神 遷座祭 一
Kyakuden, Ushikai-jin Senza-sai 1“Senza-sai” ceremony of “Kyakuden” and “Ushikai-jin”
May 9, 2013. 客殿、牛飼神 遷座祭 一
Kyakuden, Ushikai-jin Senza-sai 1“Senza-sai” ceremony of “Kyakuden” and “Ushikai-jin”
May 9, 2013.When the sun sets and the precincts are shrouded in darkness, the “Senza-sai” is held for the gods who have temporarily moved to the “Gokariden”. The five divinities of “Kyakuden” and the child divinity “Wakafutsunushi-no-Mikoto” will be transferred from the Temporary shrine to the renewed main shrine. Prior to the festival, the priests should be purified with ritual. After the words of prayer were pronounced, the pure sound of palms clapping resounded in the precincts.
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客殿、牛飼神 遷座祭 五
Kyakuden, Ushikai-jin Senza-sai 5“Senza-sai” ceremony of “Kyakuden” and “Ushikai-jin”
May 9, 2013 客殿、牛飼神 遷座祭 五
Kyakuden, Ushikai-jin Senza-sai 5“Senza-sai” ceremony of “Kyakuden” and “Ushikai-jin”
May 9, 2013The priests climbing the stairs of the main shrine to attend for the return of the divinities.
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客殿、牛飼神 遷座祭 八
Kyakuden, Ushikai-jin Senza-sai 8“Senza-sai” ceremony of “Kyakuden” and “Ushikai-jin”
May 9, 2013 客殿、牛飼神 遷座祭 八
Kyakuden, Ushikai-jin Senza-sai 8“Senza-sai” ceremony of “Kyakuden” and “Ushikai-jin”
May 9, 2013Returning to the main shrine are the five deities of “Kyakuden” and the child divinity “Wakafutsunushi-no-Mikoto”. Sacred prayers to the gods chanted in front of the door entrance.
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立砂 一
Tatesuna 1Piled sand
立砂 一
Tatesuna 1Piled sand
On the day of the “Honden Senza-sai” ceremony, dots of sand are heaped up from the “Gokariden” to the Main shrine “Honden”, which is used as a sign of Okuninushi-no-Okami's return pssage. These dots of sand are spread just before the Okami’s passage, and becomes a purified road that no one has traverseed.
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本殿遷座祭 四
Honden Senza-sai 4Ceremony to return to the main shrine pavillion
本殿遷座祭 四
Honden Senza-sai 4Ceremony to return to the main shrine pavillion
The sacred vehicle “Mikoshi” of Okuninushi-no-Okami is carried out from the Temporary shrine by the priests. The “Mikoshi” is surrounded by a silk fence and solemnly advances through the pure darkness while the priest shouts "Ooh, Ooh!". The lights in the precincts are extinguished, and only the leading lantern illuminates the destination.
On this day, it rained heavily in Izumo from early morning, but it stopped in the afternoon, and the “Senza-sai” was held as expected without delay. When the ceremony was concluded and the door of the Main shrine was closed, the wind blew and large drops of rain began to fall again. -
拝殿の大注連縄 一
Haiden no Oshimenawa 1“Oshimenawa”rope, of the shrine for general prayers
拝殿の大注連縄 一
Haiden no Oshimenawa 1“Oshimenawa”rope, of the shrine for general prayers
The enormous “Shimenawa” of the worship palace was also renewed for the “Heisei Great Sengu”. Shimenawa rope is a boundary sign which separates the divine realm from the secular world.
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例祭・本殿遷座奉祝祭 二
Rei-sai, Honden Sebza Hosyuku-sai 2The annual ceremony “Rei-sai” and the special ceremony “Honden Senza Houshuku-sai”
May 14, 2013 例祭・本殿遷座奉祝祭 二
Rei-sai, Honden Sebza Hosyuku-sai 2The annual ceremony “Rei-sai” and the special ceremony “Honden Senza Houshuku-sai”
May 14, 2013It is the custom to hold an annual festival on May 14th every year at Izumo Oyashiro, in the presence of an imperial envoy. This year, the festival was even more grand and solemn, with the celebration of the special transfer ceremony of the Main shrine.
In celebration and gratitude, it is offered a dance of two shrine maidens.. -
神楽殿の大注連縄 二
Kaguraden no Oshimenawa 2“Oshimenawa” rope of “Kaguraden”
神楽殿の大注連縄 二
Kaguraden no Oshimenawa 2“Oshimenawa” rope of “Kaguraden”
The new enormous “Shimenawa” rope was replaced at “Kaguraden” the year before the Main shrine transfer ceremony. This rope of Shimenawa symbolizes Izumo Oyashiro, is 8 meters in wideth, 13.5 meters in length, and weighs 4.4 tons, and is one of the biggest in Japan.
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本殿遷座奉祝祭 四
Honden Sebza Hosyuku-sai 4Post-Senza(re-positioning of Kami) celebratory festival of the main shurine pavilion
May 19, 2013 本殿遷座奉祝祭 四
Honden Sebza Hosyuku-sai 4Post-Senza(re-positioning of Kami) celebratory festival of the main shurine pavilion
May 19, 2013The priests are proceeding to serve the Special celebration under the rain. In these days, worshipers attended the celebrations, and the precincts filled with people were cleansed by the blessings of the rain.
At the celebratory event, people gather from all over the country to perform traditional arts and concerts that represent each region, and celebrate the “Grand-Sengu ceremony” after 60 years. -
本殿遷座奉祝祭 十
Honden Sebza Hosyuku-sai 10Post-Senza (re-positioning of Kami) celebratory festival of the main shurine pavilion
June 1, 2013 本殿遷座奉祝祭 十
Honden Sebza Hosyuku-sai 10Post-Senza (re-positioning of Kami) celebratory festival of the main shurine pavilion
June 1, 2013An offering ceremony is held, and the priests offer to “Okuninushi-no-Okami” various foodstuffs from sea, rivers, mountains, and fields., The gesture of holding the sacred offerings high seems like a round dance of reverence for divinity and gratitude for the blessings of nature.
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日隅宮
Hisumi-no-miya“Hisumi-no-miya”, Another name for Izumo Oyashiro
日隅宮
Hisumi-no-miya“Hisumi-no-miya”, Another name for Izumo Oyashiro
Izumo Oyashiro is also called “Hisumi-no-miya”, which means the place where the sun sets and rests. This is in contrast to the Ise Jingu Shrine in the east, which is called “Hi-izuru-miya” as the shrine of the Rising Sun.
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