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90-511: Kashima Shrine is located at the top of the Kashima plateau in south-east Ibaraki Prefecture , intersecting Lake Kitaura and Kashima Bay and in close proximity to Katori Shrine, which also has a strong connection to the martial arts. The shrine is the home of the Kashima Shintō-ryū ( 鹿島新当流 ) school of Japanese swordsmanship . Tsukahara Bokuden ( 塚原 卜伝 , 1489 - March 6, 1571) , one of

180-409: 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 the survival of a symbolism from a very primitive symbolism to the present day. The shrine buildings at Naikū and Gekū, as well as

270-617: A population of 2,828,086 (1 July 2023) and has a geographic area of 6,097.19 square kilometres (2,354.14 square miles). Ibaraki Prefecture borders Fukushima Prefecture to the north, Tochigi Prefecture to the northwest, Saitama Prefecture to the southwest, Chiba Prefecture to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Mito , the capital, is the largest city in Ibaraki Prefecture. Other major cities include Tsukuba , Hitachi , and Hitachinaka . Ibaraki Prefecture

360-524: 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 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

450-403: 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

540-488: 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 the buildings will be forever new and forever ancient and original. The present buildings, dating from 2013, are

630-647: 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

720-690: A war deity and a water deity, the Kashima kami were connected with military campaigns against the Emishi tribes of northern Japan. The treasury of the shrine has a one bucket said to have been a war trophy once owned by the Emishi leader Aterui . During the Nara period , the Nakatomi clan rose to prominence and changed their name to Fujiwara and played a central role in reorganizing the Shinto ritual system. By

810-664: 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

900-864: Is a botanical garden in Mito. Park Ibaraki Nature Museum in Bandō . There are castle ruins in many cities, including Mito Castle , Yūki Castle, Kasama Castle , Tsuchiura Castle , Oda Castle . Hitachi Fūryūmono , a puppet float theater festival, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Makabe Hina Doll Festival - Hinamatsuri - (Sakuragawa City). Yūki-tsumugi (silk weaving technique) Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Kasama ware , Makabe Stone Lamp, Kagami Crystal Glass Factory, old glass factory in Ryūgasaki City. The sports teams listed below are based in Ibaraki. [REDACTED] Ibaraki Prefecture with

990-630: 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

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1080-547: Is a shrine complex composed of many Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, Naikū  [ ja ] ( 内宮 ) and Gekū  [ ja ] ( 外宮 ) . 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"),

1170-467: Is a shrine to Toyoukebime , the food goddess, located in Ise Grand Shrine. it is also colloquially known as Gekū  [ ja ] ( 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

1260-506: Is also home to Kairaku-en , one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan , and is an important center for the martial art of Aikido . Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province . In 1871, the name of the province became Ibaraki, and in 1875 it became its current size, by annexing some districts belonging to the extinct Shimōsa Province . In Japanese Paleolithic , humans are believed to have started living in

1350-426: Is also known as the great god of thunder. According to legend, Izanagi , beheaded his own son Kagutsuchi the fire deity, as punishment for burning his mother to death. As he performed the act the blood dripped from his sword splashing onto the rocks below him, giving birth to several kami , two of which were Takemikazuchi along with Futsunushi ( 経津主神 , Futsunushi-no-kami ) the deity of Katori Shrine. Per

1440-676: 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

1530-534: Is located about six kilometers from Naikū and dedicated to Toyouke-Ōmikami , 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

1620-587: Is located on Japan's eastern Pacific coast to the northeast of Tokyo , and is part of the Greater Tokyo Area , the most populous metropolitan area in the world. Ibaraki Prefecture features Lake Kasumigaura , the second-largest lake in Japan; the Tone River , Japan's second-longest river and largest drainage basin ; and Mount Tsukuba , one of the most famous mountains in Japan. Ibaraki Prefecture

1710-408: Is one of the largest three shrine entrances in Japan. A deer enclosure is also located down the forest path. Both Kashima Shrine's deer and those of Nara are considered messengers of the gods and hence share a strong connection. Kashima Ōkami ( 鹿島大神 , Kashima-no-Ōkami ) is the official title of the main enshrined deity and identified as Takemikazuchi ( 武甕槌大神 ) . In some historical texts he

1800-416: Is part of Kantō Plain . As of 1 April 2012 , 15% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks , namely Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park , and nine Prefectural Natural Parks. Also, Ibaraki has one Prefectural Geopark. The Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park, also includes the northeast area of Chiba Prefecture. The northern third of the prefecture is mountainous and in

1890-413: 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 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

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1980-530: Is strictly limited, with the general public not allowed beyond sight of 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

2070-408: 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 the shrine building, the site where the previous shrine once stood and where the next will be built, is called the kodenchi . This area

2160-697: The Nihon Shoki , Takemikazuchi was the deity who provided Emperor Jimmu with a sword as he departed for the conquest of Yamato , which is one reason the shrine is regarded as a patron. However, there is no mention of the shrine in either the Nihon Shoki or the Kojiki and the earliest written records, the Hitachi Fudoki , does not identify the Kashima-no-Ōkami with Takemikazuchi. According

2250-482: 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 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

2340-657: The Heian period , Kashima Jingū was given the highest rank and the Shinto hierarchy, along with Ise Grand Shrine and Katori Shrine. The Engishiki records list the shrine as the ichinomiya of Hitachi Province. Although the Fujiwara clan lost much of its power into the Kamakura period , the shrine continued to enjoy high status and prestige with the warrior class and was strongly supported by successive samurai governments and local daimyō . Minamoto no Yoritomo granted

2430-626: The Nishiibaraki region. Ibaraki is famous for the martial art of Aikido founded by Morihei Ueshiba , also known as Osensei . Ueshiba spent the latter part of his life in the town of Iwama , now part of Kasama , and the Aiki Shrine and dojo he created still remain. Kasama is famous for Shinto ( Kasama Inari Shrine ), Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, house museum of the calligrapher and ceramist Kitaōji Rosanjin , Kasama Nichidō Museum of Art , residence of Morihei Ueshiba , founder of

2520-512: 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 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

2610-724: The Tone , Naka (Ibaraki) , and Kuji rivers, all of which flow into the Pacific Ocean . Before the seventeenth century, the lower reaches of the Tone were different from its current layout, and the Tone ran south and emptied into Tokyo Bay , and tributaries such as the Watarase and Kinu rivers had independent water systems. The main tributaries of the Tone River basin are the Kinu River and Kokai River, which flow from north to south in

2700-472: The "k" sound in Ibaraki dialect. Ibaraki is twinned with: 36°14′N 140°17′E  /  36.233°N 140.283°E  / 36.233; 140.283 Ise Grand Shrine The Ise Shrine ( Japanese : 伊勢神宮 , Hepburn : Ise Jingū ) , located in Ise , Mie Prefecture of Japan , is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the solar goddess Amaterasu . Also known simply as Jingū ( 神宮 ) , Ise Shrine

2790-803: The 14th century, Kitabatake Chikafusa made of the Oda Castle his field headquarters for over a year, and wrote the Jinnō Shōtōki (Chronicles of the Authentic Lineages of the Divine Emperors), while he was at castle. During the Edo period , one of the three houses or clans originating from Tokugawa Ieyasu (Gosanke 御 三家, three houses), settled in the Mito Domain , the clan is known as the Mito Tokugawa family or simply

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2880-459: 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 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

2970-593: 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 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

3060-571: The Edo River, is part of the southern border of Ibaraki Prefecture with Chiba Prefecture, and the Watarase River , Tone River, Gongendō River, and Naka River (Saitama) in the southwestern border of Ibaraki with Saitama Prefecture. The Watarase River has become a small boundary of the southern border between Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures. From ancient times to the beginning of the Edo period,

3150-475: The Ibaraki Prefecture. Ibaraki Prefecture is the northeastern part of the Kantō region , stretching between Tochigi Prefecture and the Pacific Ocean and bounded on the north and south by Fukushima Prefecture and Chiba Prefecture . It also has a border on the southwest with Saitama Prefecture . The northernmost part of the prefecture is mountainous, but most of the prefecture is a flat plain with many lakes and

3240-672: 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 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

3330-465: The Meiji restoration. The precincts of the shrine were designated a National Historic Site in 1986. The shrine suffered only moderate damage in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake . The main torii gate was destroyed and 64 of the stone lanterns lining the shrine's pathways fell over. Although none of the main buildings were destroyed, the total cost of repairing the structures came to 170 million Yen. Following

3420-467: The Mikoshi is taken there before being returned to its main shrine in the afternoon of the third day. January February March April May June September October November December Monthly service Ibaraki Prefecture Ibaraki Prefecture ( 茨城県 , Ibaraki-ken ) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu . Ibaraki Prefecture has

3510-698: The Mito clan. Mito Domain, was a Japanese domain of the Edo-period Hitachi Province . In 1657, a Mitogaku was created when Tokugawa Mitsukuni , head of the Mito Domain, commissioned the compilation of the Dai Nihonshi , a book on the history of Japan. In Meiji era , during the Meiji Restoration , the political map changes, the old provinces are converted or merged, to create the current prefectures, in this case

3600-471: The Pacific Ocean, Lake Kasumigaura, other lagoons and rivers, various species of fish are obtained. The Hitachigyū cattle (常 陸 牛 - ひたちぎゅう - Hitachi-gyū, Hitachi-ushi), which is a prefectural bovine breed, is noteworthy in livestock. The name comes from the kanji 常 陸 (Hitachi), the name of the ancient Hitachi Province and 牛 (ushi or gyū, beef). Background. In 1833 Tokugawa Nariaki (徳川 斉昭) established

3690-462: The Tokyo metropolitan area, giving it a high reputation as an industrial base. The prefecture is also home to Tsukuba , Japan's most extensive research and academic city, and the birthplace of Hitachi , Ltd. With extensive flat lands, abundant water, and suitable climate, Ibaraki is among the prefectures with the highest agricultural production in Japan. It plays an important role in supplying food to

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3780-401: The Tokyo metropolitan area. Its main products include melons, pears, peppers, various varieties of rice and sugar cane, as well as flowers and ornamental plants. It also supplies other food crops to the rest of the country. As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 25% of Japan's bell peppers and Chinese cabbage. It is one of the prefectures with the highest fish production in the country; in

3870-602: 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 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

3960-582: The Year of the Horse. Today the Grand Imperial Ofuna festival begins in the morning on the first of September and officials from the imperial court are sent to convey the blessings of the Emperor. In the early morning of the second day a mikoshi (portable shrine) from Kashima Shrine is carried overland along the edge of Lake Kitaura, a smaller part of Lake Kasumigaura , to a large boat waiting in

4050-473: 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 ] ( 豊受大神宮 )

4140-518: The breeding of black cattle in the present Migawa-chō (見川 町) of the city of Mito. Originally it remained mainly in the northern part of the prefecture, but later it spread throughout the prefecture. Ibaraki's population is decreasing more rapidly than any other prefecture. Ibaraki is known for nattō , or fermented soybeans, in Mito , watermelons in Kyōwa (recently merged into Chikusei ), and chestnuts in

4230-579: The building techniques haven't changed since the creation of the Ise Shrine, the workers who are hired to build 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

4320-481: The center is the Tsukuba Mountains (筑波 山地). Its main mountains are: mount Yamizo with an elevation of 1022 m on the border with Fukushima and Tochigi prefectures ( tripoint ), mount Takasasa with 922 m, mount Tsukuba with two peaks Nyotai-San at 877 m and Nantai-San at 871 m, mount Osho at 804 m, mount Hanazono at 798 m, and mount Kaba at 709 m. The main rivers that flow through the prefecture include

4410-469: 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

4500-476: 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

4590-520: The earthquake, the first large scale archaeological excavation ever made on the site was conducted in the northwestern side of the precincts. Many artifacts dating back to the Nara period were uncovered. This special festival held once every 12 years in the Year of the Horse is to honour the great deities Takemikazuchi of Kashima Shrine and Futsunushi of Katori Shrine . The festival is one of great pride for

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4680-471: 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 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

4770-585: 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

4860-407: The following national routes: [REDACTED] Ibaraki Prefecture with more than 300 prefectural routes. The prefecture is often alternatively pronounced "Ibara gi " by those who speak the regional dialect known as Ibaraki-ben. However, the standard pronunciation is "Ibara ki " . According to the author of "Not Ibara gi , Ibara ki " , this is most likely due to a mishearing of the softening of

4950-528: 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 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

5040-516: 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

5130-412: The harbor. The boat, adorned with a great Ryūtō (龍頭) dragon motif, then joins a larger fleet of other colourful boats (in 2002 there were around 90) and carries the mikoshi across the lake to the other side. From there a divine procession awaits to take the mikoshi to Katori Shrine where the main festival takes place. After the festival a special temporary logging known as an Angu (行宮) is constructed and

5220-518: The heavens and where religious ceremonies and festivals had been held since the time of Emperor Sujin , Yamato Takeru and Emperor Tenji . This region was the ancestral stronghold of the Nakatomi clan , who were strongly allied to the imperial court , and the area around Kashima became a center for strengthening the imperial court's control of eastern Japan following the Taika Reform . As both

5310-672: The lower reaches of the Tone River did not exist and the mouth of the Tone was in Tokyo Bay. On the plain was the Katori Sea , which existed in ancient times, the Lake Kasumigaura and other lagoons in present-day Chiba prefecture are remnants of that sea. Katori Sea was connected to the Kashima-nada (Pacific Ocean). Lake Kasumigaura is currently divided into three lakes: Nishiura, Kitaura, Sotonasakaura. In addition, in

5400-416: The martial art Aikidō. The capital Mito is home to Kairakuen , one of Japan's three most celebrated gardens, and famous for its over 3,000 Japanese plum trees of over 100 varieties. Kashima Shrine (Jingū) Ibaraki's cultural heritage. Mito Tōshō-gū , is the memorial shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu in Mito. Seizansō was the retirement villa of Tokugawa Mitsukuni . Mito Municipal Botanical Park ,

5490-612: The most distinguished swordmasters in Japanese history, was a frequent visitor to the shrine and developed the school from a combination of his own experiences as a shugyōsha during Musha shugyō ( 武者修行 ) and the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū ( 天真正伝香取神道流 ) . A large blade designated as a National Treasure known as the Futsu-no-Mitama Sword (布都御魂剣) is housed in the treasure house of Kashima Shrine. The Honden (main shrine building), Haiden (prayer hall) and Rōmon tower gate entrance are all Edo period structures, and are National Important Cultural Properties . The gate

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5580-440: 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,

5670-433: The people in the areas of Kashima and Katori and said to be one of the biggest in Japan. The next Grand Imperial Ofuna Festival will be in 2026. The festival began during the time of Emperor Ōjin although it was stopped once during the civil warring of the Muromachi period . In 1870, the tradition of the festival was revived and given imperial status. In 1887 it was decided that the festival would be held every 12 years in

5760-401: 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

5850-410: The prefecture there are freshwater lagoons such as Hinuma, Senba , and Ushiku. Fukuoka Dam , is a dam that spans the Kokai River in Tsukubamirai , it is one of the three largest dams in the Kantō region. Ryūjin Dam in Hitachiōta , is a beautiful dam on the Ryūjin River with a large pedestrian suspension bridge above the dam lake. Thirty-two (32) cities are located in Ibaraki Prefecture: These are

5940-403: The present-day prefecture area before and after the deposition of the volcanic ash layer from the Aira Caldera about 24,000 years ago. At the bottom of this layer are local tools of polished stone and burnt pebbles. During the Asuka period the provinces of Hitachi and Fusa were created. Later Fusa was divided, among them, the Shimōsa Province. At the beginning of the Muromachi period , in

6030-428: 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 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

6120-403: 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

6210-434: 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

6300-455: 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

6390-399: 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 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

6480-401: The shrine flourished in both commercial and religious frequency. According to historical documents, 3.62 million people visited 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

6570-462: The shrine legend, Kashima Jingū was established in the first year of the legendary Emperor Jimmu , i.e. 660 BC. This is well into Japanese prehistory, and the oldest written records mentioning the shrine are in the Asuka period Fudoki (風土記) of Hitachi province , indicating that a kobe ( 神戸 ) , or private house of ritual was rebuilt in 649 AD on a site where the great celestial god Kashima ( 香島の天の大神 , Kashima-no-ten-no-Ōkami ) descended from

6660-536: The shrine numerous estates, and many members of the samurai class entered the priesthood , sometimes advancing to very senior positions. The shrine buildings were extensively reconstructed during the early Edo period , with Tokugawa Ieyasu sponsoring the reconstruction of the main shrine in 1605 (currently the main building of the Oku-no-miya Shrine), Tokugawa Hidetada rebuilding the current main shrines in 1619 and with Tokugawa Yorifusa contributing

6750-473: 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

6840-470: 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

6930-477: 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

7020-438: 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

7110-479: 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

7200-473: The tower gate in 1634. In 1687, poet Matsuo Bashō traveled to the Kashima Shrine, writing of the journey in his haibun travel journal, Kashima Kikō . Following the Meiji restoration , the shrine was designated a Kanpei-sha ( 官幣社 ) , or imperial shrine, 1st rank, under State Shinto . The second torii gate was rebuilt in granite from Kasama in 1968 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of

7290-442: The towns and villages in each district , 10 towns and 2 villages in 7 districts: Ibaraki's economy is based on energy production (particularly nuclear energy), chemical and precision machining industries, research institutes, and tourism. Agriculture, fishing, and livestock are also important sectors in the prefecture. Ibaraki's vast flat terrain make it highly suitable for industrial development. This complements its proximity to

7380-451: 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 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

7470-490: The western part of the prefecture. The Shintone and Sakura rivers flow into Lake Nishiura. The Edo River flows into Tokyo Bay; its source currently rises as an arm of the Tone River. In the past, the course of the Edo River was different, its source was corrected and diverted to the Tone River in the 17th century by the Tokugawa shogunate to protect the city of Edo (now Tokyo) from flooding. The Tone River, in addition to

7560-454: 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 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

7650-449: 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 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

7740-530: 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

7830-613: 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

7920-464: 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 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

8010-423: Was short lived, and the shrine currently obtains the wood through other domestic producers, who ensure that only 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

8100-475: 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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