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 is a shrine complex composed of many Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, Naikū [ ja ] ( 内宮 ) and Gekū [ ja ] ( 外宮 ) .
95-446: 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 ,
190-430: 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 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
285-678: 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
380-723: A 24-piece traditional orchestra ( gagaku ) with 1,000 year-old instruments such as the koto and the shō , 30 gardeners, 25 chefs, 40 chauffeurs as well as 78 builders, plumbers and electricians. There are 30 archaeologists to protect the 895 imperial tombs. There is a silkworm breeder of the Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery. The Emperor has four doctors on standby 24 hours a day, five men manage his wardrobe and 11 assist in Shinto rites. The Imperial Palace in Tokyo has 160 servants who maintain it. This
475-510: 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
570-400: A god Ōmonoimi-no-kami [ ja ; simple ] ( 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 is worshipped at Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi Shrine In Kojiki , Toyouke-Ōmikami is described as
665-573: 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
760-695: A number of Imperial farms, residences and game preserves. The Imperial Household Agency administers the Shosoin Imperial Repository in Nara . The Imperial properties are all owned by the State . The Emperor can spend £150 million of public money annually. The imperial palaces are all owned and paid for by the State . Until 2003, facts about the Japanese Imperial Family's life and finances were kept secret behind
855-401: 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
950-402: 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
1045-453: 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
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#17327652607071140-537: A stock farm in the Chiba region. They were all transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries . Imperial property holdings were further reduced since 1947 after several handovers to the government. When Emperor Shōwa died, he left a personal fortune of £11 million in 1989. In 2017, Emperor Akihito had an estimated net worth of US$ 40 million. Currently the primary Imperial properties are
1235-528: 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 ) is mentioned in Engishiki dating back to Heian period , as Taniwa ( 田庭 ) literally meaning the Garden of Rice Paddies . That ancient place name
1330-647: 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
1425-664: 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
1520-466: A £2 million-a-year clinic with 42 staff and 8 medical departments. An example of lavish spending is the prior redecoration of a room for £140,000 where Crown Princess Masako gave birth to Princess Aiko in 2001. Emperor Akihito spent £140,000 on building a wine cellar. It has 4,500 bottles of 11 types of white wine and seven types of red such as Chateau Mouton Rothschild (1982) and champagne Dom Perignon (1992). The Imperial properties includes
1615-587: 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 was unable to get food and asked him to bring Toyouke-hime from Tanba help her with food. Daiichi-torii-guchi Sando
1710-515: 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
1805-675: 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
1900-475: Is partly due to demarcation rules, such as a maid who wipes a table cannot also wipe the floor. There are also separate stewards in charge of handling silverware and the crystal. The Kyoto Imperial Palace has a staff of 78 people. There are also 67 who care for the horses at the Tochigi ranch. There are scores of additional staff for the summer palaces at the beach and in the mountains. The Imperial Palace has
1995-535: 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 ] is the God of Chōkaisan Ōmonoimi Shrine and Mount Chokai . There are shrines that enshrine Omonoiminokami in various other places in
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#17327652607072090-636: 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 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
2185-606: 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
2280-427: Is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world . The imperial dynasty does not have a name, therefore its direct members do not have a family name. The imperial house recognizes 126 monarchs , beginning with Emperor Jimmu (traditionally dated to 11 February 660 BCE), and continuing up to the current emperor, Naruhito . However, scholars have agreed that there is no evidence of Jimmu's existence, that
2375-686: Is the head of the Japanese imperial family. Article 3 and 4 of the Law for Special Exception of the Imperial House Law concerning Abdication, etc. of Emperor ( 天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法 , Tennō no taii nado ni kansuru Kōshitsu Tenpan Tokureihō ) define the Emperor Emeritus ( 上皇 , jōkō ) and Empress Emerita ( 上皇后 , jōkōgō ) . Article 5 of the Imperial Household Law ( 皇室典範 , Kōshitsu Tenpan ) defines
2470-477: 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 the shrine. Saikan and Anzaisho are the Purification Hall and Hall for Imperial Household Visitors respectively. They are on
2565-819: Is therefore numerous. Other terms used for the dynasty are also Kōka (皇家, Imperial House). Formerly the term Kyūshitsu (宮室, Palace Household) was also used under the old Imperial Constitution and the Imperial Household Law, as well as Teishitsu (帝室, Imperial Household). The Emperor The Empress The Emperor Emeritus The Empress Emerita Naruhito [REDACTED] Fumihito [REDACTED] Shigeru Ishiba ( LDP ) Second Ishiba Cabinet ( LDP – Komeito coalition ) [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Fukushiro Nukaga Kōichirō Genba [REDACTED] Masakazu Sekiguchi Hiroyuki Nagahama Saburo Tokura Kazuo Ueda The emperor ( 天皇 , tennō )
2660-518: 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 was entered both in Kojiki and Nihonshoki , and was also the highest title given to water bodies. The shrine's auspicious spirit
2755-404: 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 the discipline of Ise Shintō (Watarai Shintō) originated by a priest at Geku named Watarai Ieyuki ( 度会家行 ) , Toyouke-Ōmikami
2850-559: The Shinnōke of which the most senior branch Fushimi-no-miya (伏見宮) is first in the order of succession . Out of the Fushimi branch the Ōke branches split, which are the Kuni (久邇), Kaya (賀陽), Asaka (朝香), Higashikuni (東久邇) and Takeda (竹田) families as of 2024. Furthermore there are branches created from sons of the emperor who were excluded from the line of succession and demoted into
2945-811: The Bank of Japan , other major Japanese banks, the Imperial Hotel and Nippon Yusen . After World War II , all of the 11 collateral branches of the Imperial Family were abolished under the Allied occupation of Japan , and the subsequent constitutional reforms imposed under Allied supervision forced those families to sell their assets to private or government owners. Staff numbers of the Imperial Household Ministry were slashed from roughly 6000 to about 1000. The Imperial Estates and
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3040-777: The Fushimi-no-miya . The Japanese monarchy was considered to be among the wealthiest in the world until the end of World War II . Before 1911, there was no distinction between the Imperial Crown Estates and the Emperor's personal properties. When the Imperial Property Law was enacted in January 1911, two categories were established namely hereditary (crown estates) and personal property of the Imperial Family. The Imperial Household Minister had
3135-660: 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
3230-456: The Nashimoto branch in 1951, Kachō or Kwachō branch in 1970, Yamashina branch in 1987, and Kitashirakawa branch in 2018. The main Fushimi branch will become extinct upon the death of the current head, Fushimi Hiroaki (b. 1932), as he has no male offspring to succeed him; although he does not have any sons, his adoptive grandnephew has male issue who can be expected to become the head of
3325-609: The Prince Takamado , and most recently, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino , left the Imperial Family upon marriage, joining the husband's family and thus taking the surname of the husband. The living eight former imperial princesses are: Additionally, there are several people of Imperial descent in the Fushimi cadet branch ( Shinnōke ), which itself consists of a main branch and five extant sub-branches ( Ōke ). The cadet royal families lost membership in
3420-888: The Tokyo Imperial Palace and the Kyoto Imperial Palace . The estimated landholdings are 6,810 acres (2,760 ha). The Tōgū Palace is located in the larger Akasaka Estate where numerous other Imperial Family members reside. There are privately used imperial villas in Hayama , Nasu and the Suzaki Imperial Villa in Shimoda . The Katsura Imperial Villa , Shugakuin Imperial Villa and Sentō Imperial Palace are in Kyoto . There are
3515-507: 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
3610-473: The "Chrysanthemum Curtain." Yohei Mori (former royal correspondent for the Mainichi Shimbun and assistant professor of journalism at Seijo University) revealed details about finances of the Imperial Family in his book based on 200 documents that were published with the public information law. The Japanese Imperial Family has a staff of more than 1,000 people (47 servants per royal). This includes
3705-458: 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
3800-511: The Emperor's personal fortune (then estimated at $ 17.15 million in 1946, or roughly $ 270.70 million as of 2023) were transferred to state or private ownership with the exception of 6,810 acres (2,760 ha) of landholdings. The largest imperial divestments were the former imperial Kiso and Amagi forest lands in Gifu and Shizuoka prefectures, grazing lands for livestock in Hokkaido and
3895-513: The Imperial Family by the American Occupation Authorities in October 1947, as part of the abolition of collateral imperial houses and the kazoku (hereditary peerage ). However, there are still unofficial heads of the living collateral families. These are the living Kyū-Miyake ( 旧宮家 , "former Miyake") : The Higashifushimi or Komatsu collateral branch became extinct in the male line in 1922, followed by
Ise Shrine - Misplaced Pages Continue
3990-538: The Imperial Family members ( 皇族 , kōzoku ) as the Empress ( 皇后 , kōgō ) ; the Grand empress dowager ( 太皇太后 , tai-kōtaigō ) ; the Empress dowager ( 皇太后 , kōtaigō ) ; the Emperor's legitimate sons and legitimate grandsons in the legitimate male line ( 親王 , shinnō ) , and their consorts ( 親王妃 , shinnōhi ) ; the Emperor's unmarried legitimate daughters and unmarried legitimate granddaughters in
4085-470: The Imperial Grandson and the consort of the Imperial Grandson, in addition to properties held for Imperial Family members who were minors, were exempted from taxation. Up to 1921, the Imperial Crown Estates comprised 1,112,535.58 acres (450,227.18 ha). In 1921, due to the poor economic situation in Japan, 289,259.25 acres (117,059.07 ha) of crown lands (26%) were sold or transferred to
4180-483: The Imperial properties was estimated at ¥650 million in 1935 which is approximately US$ 195 million at prevailing exchange rates and $ 19.9 billion as of 2017 . Emperor Shōwa's personal fortune was an additional hundreds of millions of yen (estimated over $ 6 billion as of 2017 ). It included numerous family heirlooms and furnishings, purebred livestock and investments in major Japanese firms, such as
4275-666: 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
4370-602: The Japanese government and the private sector . In 1930, the Nagoya Detached Palace ( Nagoya Castle ) was donated to the city of Nagoya and six other imperial villas were sold or donated. In 1939, Nijō Castle was donated to the city of Kyoto . The former Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogunate which became an imperial palace in the Meiji Restoration , was donated to the city of Kyoto. At
4465-515: The Tohoku region , including Chōkai gassan ryōsho-gu [ simple ] . Ōmonoimi-no-kami [ ja ; simple ] ( 大物忌神 ) is considered possibly identical to Toyouke-hime He is associated with industrial growth. Every time Mount Chōkai erupted his rank increased. Imperial House of Japan The Imperial House ( 皇室 , Kōshitsu ) is the reigning dynasty of Japan , consisting of those members of
4560-472: 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 )
4655-480: 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
4750-408: 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
4845-468: 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
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#17327652607074940-534: 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
5035-405: 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
5130-403: 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
5225-487: 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
5320-486: The end of 1935, the Imperial Court owned 3,111,965 acres (1,259,368 ha) landed estates according to official government figures. 2,599,548 acres (1,052,000 ha) of that was the Emperor's private lands. The total landholdings of the crown estates was 512,161 acres (207,264 ha). It comprised palace complexes, forest and farm lands and other residential and commercial properties. The total economic value of
5415-573: 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
5510-483: The extended family of the reigning emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present constitution of Japan , the emperor is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". Other members of the imperial family perform ceremonial and social duties, but have no role in the affairs of government. The duties as an emperor are passed down the line to their male children. The Japanese monarchy
5605-535: 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
5700-525: 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
5795-451: 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
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#17327652607075890-452: 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
5985-600: 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 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
6080-558: The legitimate male line ( 内親王 , naishinnō ) ; the Emperor's other legitimate male descendants in the third and later generations in the legitimate male line ( 王 , ō ) and their consorts ( 王妃 , ōhi ) ; and the Emperor's other unmarried legitimate female descendants in the third and later generations in the legitimate male line ( 女王 , joō ) . In English, shinnō (親王) and ō (王) are both translated as " prince " as well as shinnōhi (親王妃), naishinnō (内親王), ōhi (王妃) and joō (女王) as " princess ". After
6175-451: The main line of the dynasty does not have a name and is referred to as Kōshitsu (皇室, imperial house), there are agnatic cadet branches which split during the course of centuries who received their own family names in order to distinguish them from the main line. They were considered a part of the imperial family (皇族 Kōzoku ), with members carrying the title "Imperial Highness", until the laws changed in 1947. The most important branches were
6270-439: 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,
6365-453: 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 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
6460-399: 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
6555-404: The ranks of the court ( kuge ) or sword ( buke ) nobility. Such families are the Minamoto (源 also known as Genji), Taira (平 also known as Heishi) and Abe (安倍), as well as through in-laws the Tachibana (橘) for example. Out of these families further branches split through male descent who were also considered noble Japanese clans . The line of legitimate direct male descendants of emperors
6650-443: 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 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
6745-462: The removal of 11 collateral branches from the imperial house in October 1947, the official membership of the imperial family has effectively been limited to the male-line descendants of the Emperor Taishō , excluding females who married outside the imperial family and their descendants. There are currently 16 members of the imperial family: The following family tree shows the lineage of current members of Japanese imperial family: Notes Under
6840-484: The responsibility for observing any judicial proceedings concerning Imperial holdings. According to the law, Imperial properties were only taxable if there was no conflict with the Imperial House Law. However, crown estates could only be used for public or imperially-sanctioned undertakings. Personal properties of certain members of the Imperial Family, such as Empress Dowager , the Empress, Crown Prince and Crown Princess,
6935-460: 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 is a building called Anzaisho, which serves as the Hall for
7030-420: 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
7125-517: 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
7220-434: 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
7315-455: 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
7410-403: 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
7505-474: 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
7600-488: 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
7695-465: 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
7790-471: 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
7885-415: 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
7980-457: 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
8075-438: 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
8170-546: 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
8265-478: 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
8360-484: The terms of the 1947 Imperial Household Law , naishinnō (imperial princesses) and joō (princesses) lose their titles and membership in the family upon marriage, unless they marry the Emperor or another male member of the imperial family. Four of the five daughters of Emperor Shōwa , the two daughters of the Prince Mikasa , the only daughter of Emperor Emeritus Akihito , the second and third daughter of
8455-535: 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
8550-426: 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
8645-537: The traditional narrative of the imperial family's founding is mythical, and that Jimmu is a mythical figure. Historical evidence for the first 25 emperors is scant, and they are considered mythical, but there is sufficient evidence of an unbroken agnatic line since the early 6th century. Historically, verifiable emperors of Japan start from 539 CE with Emperor Kinmei , the 29th tennō . The earliest historic written mentions of Japan were in Chinese records, where it
8740-527: 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 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
8835-530: 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
8930-613: 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
9025-668: Was referred to as Wa (倭 later 和), which later evolved into the Japanese name of Wakoku (倭國). Suishō (帥升, ca. 107 CE) was a king of Wa, the earliest Japanese monarch mentioned in Volume 85 of the Book of the Later Han from 445 CE. Further records mention the five kings of Wa (倭の五王, Wa no go ō ), of which the last one Bu of Wa is generally considered to be Emperor Yūryaku (417/18 – 479 CE). The existence of his reign has been established through modern archaeological research. While
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