TLVP	Booknook		Author’s homepage	Coauthor’s homepage		Write to us
Previous supplement		Victimage in the Kojiki of Japan			Next Supplement

Victimage in the Kojiki of Japan

by Barbara Mikolajewska in cooperation with F.E.J. Linton

Copyright © 2007 by		New Haven, CT 06511-2208 USA
First Internet Edition. All rights reserved. First created: 14 Apr 2006. Last updated: 01 Jan 2008.

Supplements

Supplement 2: In the place where Izanami entered the world of the dead

1. Manai Jinja, dedicated to Izanagi

2. Kamosu Jinja, dedicated to Izanami

3. Iya Jinja, or Shrine of the Dead

4. Rokusho Jinja, dedicated to the six creation gods

1. Manai Jinja, dedicated to Izanagi

“Manai Shrine is located in the southern suburbs of Matsue City, at the southeast foot of Mount Chausu, and is dedicated to the god Izanagi no Mikoto. This shrine is one of the ancient shrines described in the ‘Chronicles of the Izumo Province’ and in another ancient book called ‘Engi-shiki’ (927-967). It is also one of the Ou-Rokusha, or ‘the six shrines of the Ou region’ and is situated close to Kamosu Shrine dedicated to Izanami. The present main hall of Manai Shrine was constructed in 1662, and has been designated as a Prefectural Cultural Asset.” (A Guidebook to the Province of the Gods, p.26)

Torii before the stone steps leading to the main Manai Jinja shrine building.

1. Torii before the stone steps leading to

the main Manai Jinja shrine building.

The main building of the Manai Jinja shrine complex.

2. The main building of the

Manai Jinja shrine complex.

Lion (shi-shi) at the top of the staircase; the closed mouth symbolizes in (yang).

3. Lion (shi-shi) at the top of the staircase;
the closed mouth symbolizes in (yang).

Lion at the top of the staircase approach; the open mouth symbolizes yo (ying).

4. Lion at the top of the staircase approach;
the open mouth symbolizes yo (ying).

2. Kamosu Jinja, dedicated to Izanami

Izanami’s spirit is believed to be enshrined in Kamosu Jinja. About Kamosu Jinja, Lafcadio Hearn wrote: “It is said the shrine was built on the God, Ameno-Hohi-no-mikoto’s (Amaterasu’s second son) order, and it is one of the most ancient and holiest shrines in this country. The main shrine, rebuilt in 1346, exhibits the oldest style of the ‘Taisha Structure,’ though it predates the Grand Shrine of Taisha by 400 years, and now is designated as a National Treasure.”

The first torii of Kamosu Jinja.

5. The first torii of Kamosu Jinja.

The approach stairway to the Kamosu Jinja shrine.

6. The approach stairway to the shrine.

The main shrine building of Kamosu Jinja.

7. The main shrine building of Kamosu Jinja.

Worshipper bowing at the main Kamosu Jinja shrine.

8. Worshipper bowing at the main shrine.

Offerings placed before the steps leading to the inner chamber of Kamosu Jinja

9. Offerings placed before the steps leading to the inner chamber of Kamosu Jinja.

A sacred place inside the Kamosu Jinja compound.

10. A sacred place inside the compound.

3. Iya Jinja, or Shrine of the Dead

Izanami, Susa-no-wo and Kotoshiro are believed to be enshrined in Iya Jinja. “This shrine was mentioned in the Izumo Fudoki (Ancient Chronicles of Izumo Province) and also in another famous ancient chronicle, the Nihongi. This shrine is said to have been linked to the ancient realm of the dead. During the civil wars, military leaders such as Amako, Ouchi and Mori came to this shrine to pray for success in battle. Mori is also said to have built the main building of the shrine. ... There is a festival called Hokake Festival held on August 28^th every year.” (Tourist guide note)

Torii at Iya Jinja.

11. Torii at Iya Jinja.

The oratory of Iya Jinja.

12. The oratory of Iya Jinja.

The main shrine building of Iya Jinja.

13. The main shrine building of Iya Jinja.

On the Iya Jinja shrine grounds: a lantern.

14. On the shrine grounds: a lantern.

Sacred painting of a white horse.

Under a protective roof at Iya Jinja:
15. A white horse;

Painting of a sacred female image.

16. Sacred female image; and

The seven gods of good luck: painting at Iya Jinja.

17. The seven gods of good luck.

Small shrine at Iya Jinja with many goheis, as if welcoming many deities.

18. A small shrine with many goheis, as if to encourage many deities, perhaps for a ritual.

Close-up of the goheis.

19. A close-up of some of the goheis.

Offering grate and stone entrance steps leading to the Iya Jinja oratory.

20. Offering grate and stone entrance steps

leading to the Iya Jinja oratory.

Detail: Mirror on the Iya Jinja oratory entrance steps.

21. Detail: Mirror on the entrance steps.

4. Rokusho Jinja, dedicated to the six creation gods

“This shrine is dedicated to the six deities: Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Amaterasu Omikami, Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, Susano no Mikoto and Onamuchi no Mikoto. It is therefore called Rokusho Jinja, ‘the shrine where six (gods) are enshrined.’ (A Guidebook to the Province of the Gods, p. 25)

Oratory building, Rokusho Jinja shrine.