Yesterday, we talked about a gift my father brought home called omamori. However, he also talked to me about his experience of going to the Ise Jingu Shrine, where he got the omamori-- a story that I thought to share with you all. :)
After hearing from my parents, it is clear that Ise Jingu is one of the most revered shrines in Japan. They even characterized it as one of the the highest ranking shrines in the country.
This is a photo of Naiku, the inner shrine (the main building of the Ise Jingu Shrine). Click the photo for link to the picture.
FUN FACT: Take a look at the picture on the bottom of this photo. Notice how there are two panel-like structures coming out of the tip of the roof. See how the tips of these structures are horizontal to the sky? This is a symbol of "Solar Shinto," or that the Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu, the sun deity. The other main Shinto deity is the storm deity, Izumo. Worship to this deity is "Agrarian Shinto," because storms bring rain, and therefore helps agriculture. If the shrine is dedicated to Izumo, the tips of these panels would be vertical, not horizontal.
FUN FACT: Take a look at the picture on the bottom of this photo. Notice how there are two panel-like structures coming out of the tip of the roof. See how the tips of these structures are horizontal to the sky? This is a symbol of "Solar Shinto," or that the Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu, the sun deity. The other main Shinto deity is the storm deity, Izumo. Worship to this deity is "Agrarian Shinto," because storms bring rain, and therefore helps agriculture. If the shrine is dedicated to Izumo, the tips of these panels would be vertical, not horizontal.
Now, back to my father's experience. He began by describing to me that there are tall gates called torii that block the entrance to the Shrine. Civilians cannot go past the first gate. Those who can pass include the Imperial Family, the priests, and special persons. At the time, my father was working for a certain compony whose CEO was donating quite a bit of money to the Ise Shrine. Apparently, this situation included the CEO and his workers in the "special persons" category. Lucky for my dad!
He says that when he got in, the ground was covered in black pebbles, with a pathway of white pebbles. He and his coworkers were to stand only on the black pebbles, for the white-pebbled pathway was for the Imperial Family... and super-special persons. While my father was not included in this particular category, his CEO received this special treatment.
They received oharai by a priest, which is "purification," and in some cases, "exorcism." A haraigashi (I can describe it best to visually be a giant droopy pom-pom made out of white paper) is shaken over a person, object, or place to rid the subject of any bad spirits, sins-- a purification process significant in Shinto.
Anybody ever seen the drama Hanakimi? If you have, remember Kayashima, the guy with the supernatural powers? The drama shows him holding this paper object after performing oharai on Masao "Oscar" Himejima, who is possessed by a bad spirit.
He says that when he got in, the ground was covered in black pebbles, with a pathway of white pebbles. He and his coworkers were to stand only on the black pebbles, for the white-pebbled pathway was for the Imperial Family... and super-special persons. While my father was not included in this particular category, his CEO received this special treatment.
They received oharai by a priest, which is "purification," and in some cases, "exorcism." A haraigashi (I can describe it best to visually be a giant droopy pom-pom made out of white paper) is shaken over a person, object, or place to rid the subject of any bad spirits, sins-- a purification process significant in Shinto.
Anybody ever seen the drama Hanakimi? If you have, remember Kayashima, the guy with the supernatural powers? The drama shows him holding this paper object after performing oharai on Masao "Oscar" Himejima, who is possessed by a bad spirit.
Just a small reference to Japanese pop culture. It's a bit of a crazy drama, but was extremely popular in the 2000-2010s both in Japan and internationally-- a very fun watch. :) The character above, the aforementioned Kayashima, is a visual of Japan's spiritual culture from a humorous, exaggerated perspective-- if you are interested in Japanese religion, he may be an amusing character to observe!
ANYWAYS, I hope you enjoyed this post that was (mostly) about the Ise Jingu Shrine.
Until next time,
justajae
ANYWAYS, I hope you enjoyed this post that was (mostly) about the Ise Jingu Shrine.
Until next time,
justajae