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  • Zuiganji was originally opened in 828 AD and was considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in all of Oshu Province. During that time, it was often referred to as Enpuku-ji. At the turn of the Shogen era in 1259.  Zuiganji is a reflection of the natural beauty of Matsushima, and upon entering the temple grounds, the approach to the main hall proceeds along a path with caves carved into the rock that were used in the past for meditation, memorial services and as a buriel place for the ashes of the deceased. Today these caves contain statues of jizo, rakan and other Buddhist dieties.
    zuiganji-6.jpg
  • Zuiganji was originally opened in 828 AD and was considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in all of Oshu Province. During that time, it was often referred to as Enpuku-ji. At the turn of the Shogen era in 1259.  Zuiganji is a reflection of the natural beauty of Matsushima, and upon entering the temple grounds, the approach to the main hall proceeds along a path with caves carved into the rock that were used in the past for meditation, memorial services and as a buriel place for the ashes of the deceased. Today these caves contain statues of jizo, rakan and other Buddhist dieties.
    zuiganji-1.jpg
  • Zuiganji was originally opened in 828 AD and was considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in all of Oshu Province. During that time, it was often referred to as Enpuku-ji. At the turn of the Shogen era in 1259.  Zuiganji is a reflection of the natural beauty of Matsushima, and upon entering the temple grounds, the approach to the main hall proceeds along a path with caves carved into the rock that were used in the past for meditation, memorial services and as a buriel place for the ashes of the deceased. Today these caves contain statues of jizo, rakan and other Buddhist dieties.
    zuiganji-3.jpg
  • Zuiganji was originally opened in 828 AD and was considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in all of Oshu Province. During that time, it was often referred to as Enpuku-ji. At the turn of the Shogen era in 1259.  Zuiganji is a reflection of the natural beauty of Matsushima, and upon entering the temple grounds, the approach to the main hall proceeds along a path with caves carved into the rock that were used in the past for meditation, memorial services and as a buriel place for the ashes of the deceased. Today these caves contain statues of jizo, rakan and other Buddhist dieties.
    zuiganji-4.jpg
  • Zuiganji was originally opened in 828 AD and was considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in all of Oshu Province. During that time, it was often referred to as Enpuku-ji. At the turn of the Shogen era in 1259.  Zuiganji is a reflection of the natural beauty of Matsushima, and upon entering the temple grounds, the approach to the main hall proceeds along a path with caves carved into the rock that were used in the past for meditation, memorial services and as a buriel place for the ashes of the deceased. Today these caves contain statues of jizo, rakan and other Buddhist dieties.
    zuiganji-8.jpg
  • Zuiganji was originally opened in 828 AD and was considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in all of Oshu Province. During that time, it was often referred to as Enpuku-ji. At the turn of the Shogen era in 1259.  Zuiganji is a reflection of the natural beauty of Matsushima, and upon entering the temple grounds, the approach to the main hall proceeds along a path with caves carved into the rock that were used in the past for meditation, memorial services and as a buriel place for the ashes of the deceased. Today these caves contain statues of jizo, rakan and other Buddhist dieties.
    zuiganji-5.jpg
  • Zuiganji was originally opened in 828 AD and was considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in all of Oshu Province. During that time, it was often referred to as Enpuku-ji. At the turn of the Shogen era in 1259.  Zuiganji is a reflection of the natural beauty of Matsushima, and upon entering the temple grounds, the approach to the main hall proceeds along a path with caves carved into the rock that were used in the past for meditation, memorial services and as a buriel place for the ashes of the deceased. Today these caves contain statues of jizo, rakan and other Buddhist dieties.
    zuiganji-2.jpg
  • Zuiganji was originally opened in 828 AD and was considered to be one of the greatest Zen temples in all of Oshu Province. During that time, it was often referred to as Enpuku-ji. At the turn of the Shogen era in 1259.  Zuiganji is a reflection of the natural beauty of Matsushima, and upon entering the temple grounds, the approach to the main hall proceeds along a path with caves carved into the rock that were used in the past for meditation, memorial services and as a buriel place for the ashes of the deceased. Today these caves contain statues of jizo, rakan and other Buddhist dieties.
    zuiganji-7.jpg
  • Fukurokokuji Diety of Good Fortune at Mengake Procession Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-28.jpg
  • Diety of Good Fortune at Toei Studio Park or Toei Uzumasa Eigamura is a film set and theme park in Kyoto.  Besides being where Japanese period movies are filmed known as jidaigeki’ or period dramas. The park also features ninja shows, oiron processions, seasonal events, dress-up-like-geisha studios, a haunted house and the ubiquitous shopping.  The park’s buildings are made up of Edo period traditional buildings including reproduction of Nihonbashi Bridge, and now defunct Yoshiwara Red Light District.  The structures are also used as backdrops for filming historical movies or television dramas. 
    toei-studio-park-diety-fortune-2.jpg
  • Diety of Good Fortune at Toei Studio Park or Toei Uzumasa Eigamura is a film set and theme park in Kyoto.  Besides being where Japanese period movies are filmed known as jidaigeki’ or period dramas. The park also features ninja shows, oiron processions, seasonal events, dress-up-like-geisha studios, a haunted house and the ubiquitous shopping.  The park’s buildings are made up of Edo period traditional buildings including reproduction of Nihonbashi Bridge, and now defunct Yoshiwara Red Light District.  The structures are also used as backdrops for filming historical movies or television dramas. 
    toei-studio-park-diety-fortune-3.jpg
  • Drummer at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-05.jpg
  • Lion at Mengake Kamakura Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-24.jpg
  • Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-21.jpg
  • Karasu Tengu Crow Goblin at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-18.jpg
  • Hananago Long Nose Mask at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-14.jpg
  • Shinto Priests at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-04.jpg
  • Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-01.jpg
  • Oni Demon at Mengake Procession Kamakura- Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-27.jpg
  • Midwife at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-23.jpg
  • Tengu at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-03.jpg
  • Lions at Mengake Kamakura Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-25.jpg
  • Karasu Tengu Crow Goblin at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-19.jpg
  • Midwife at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-16.jpg
  • Jiji Elderly Man at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-22.jpg
  • Japanese Musicians at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-10.jpg
  • Drummers at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-07.jpg
  • 77.3 Takamatsu-zaka Murals 高松塚 are covered with images a turtle entwined with a snake, a blue dragon, figures of the sun and females, tigers.  On the ceiling there is an early chart of the constellations. The murals were made by covering stone surfaces with plaster, then drawing outlines, followed by coloring in the drawings. The refined coloring and delicate lines give the figures of human, beast and dieties character and a sense of vitality. Because of the disintegration of these ancient murals, they had to be carefully removed and restored. 
    77.3.TENTATIVE-ASUKA.jpg
  • Okame Fat Faced Woman and Midwife at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-17.jpg
  • Japanese Musicians at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-12.jpg
  • Shinto Priest at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-09.jpg
  • Lions at Mengake Kamakura Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-26.jpg
  • Jiji Elderly Man at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-20.jpg
  • Japanese Musicians at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-11.jpg
  • Drummers at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-06.jpg
  • Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-02.jpg
  • Hananago Long Nose Mask at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-15.jpg
  • Drummers at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-08.jpg
  • Shizuoka Sengen Shrine is a collective of three shinto shrines combined into one large shrine compound in Shizuoka City.  The original smaller shrines were once Kambe Jinja, Sengen Jinja, and Ohtoshimioya Jinja.  The primary god of Kambe is the Ohnamuchi-no-mikoto which is the the founding diety of Suruga province, the former name of Shizuoka. The principle diety of Sengen Jinja is Kanahanasakuray-hime the god of Mt Fuji and the kami god of Ohtoshimioya Shrine is Ohtoshimioya-no-Mikoto the kami protecting commerce.
    shizuoka-sengen-shrine-5.jpg
  • Shizuoka Sengen Shrine is a collective of three shinto shrines combined into one large shrine compound in Shizuoka City.  The original smaller shrines were once Kambe Jinja, Sengen Jinja, and Ohtoshimioya Jinja.  The primary god of Kambe is the Ohnamuchi-no-mikoto which is the the founding diety of Suruga province, the former name of Shizuoka. The principle diety of Sengen Jinja is Kanahanasakuray-hime the god of Mt Fuji and the kami god of Ohtoshimioya Shrine is Ohtoshimioya-no-Mikoto the kami protecting commerce.
    shizuoka-sengen-shrine-6.jpg
  • Shizuoka Sengen Shrine is a collective of three shinto shrines combined into one large shrine compound in Shizuoka City.  The original smaller shrines were once Kambe Jinja, Sengen Jinja, and Ohtoshimioya Jinja.  The primary god of Kambe is the Ohnamuchi-no-mikoto which is the the founding diety of Suruga province, the former name of Shizuoka. The principle diety of Sengen Jinja is Kanahanasakuray-hime the god of Mt Fuji and the kami god of Ohtoshimioya Shrine is Ohtoshimioya-no-Mikoto the kami protecting commerce.
    shizuoka-sengen-shrine-8.jpg
  • Shizuoka Sengen Shrine is a collective of three shinto shrines combined into one large shrine compound in Shizuoka City.  The original smaller shrines were once Kambe Jinja, Sengen Jinja, and Ohtoshimioya Jinja.  The primary god of Kambe is the Ohnamuchi-no-mikoto which is the the founding diety of Suruga province, the former name of Shizuoka. The principle diety of Sengen Jinja is Kanahanasakuray-hime the god of Mt Fuji and the kami god of Ohtoshimioya Shrine is Ohtoshimioya-no-Mikoto the kami protecting commerce.
    shizuoka-sengen-shrine-7.jpg
  • Hantaji -Temple of Great Wealth is located on a hill with a view of Matsuyama Castle and the Seto Inland Sea in the distance. It is known as the “temple of the universal” and contains a statue of Nagara the medicinal priest.  Hantaji also has a protective diety which is said to help with examinations, as well as marital harmony and warding off misfortune.   Hanta-ji is temple number 50 of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Trail which is traditionally completed on foot taking up some 40 days to complete as the full course is approximately 1200 km.
    hantaji-3.jpg
  • Namba Yasaka Shrine was once a Buddhist temple, though it was destroyed by fire.  After the Meiji Restoration the temple was closed down because of the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. The original shrine buildings were burned down during WWII, therefore the buildings that stand today are reconstructions.  Its most famous feature is the large lion head Ema-Den.  Yasaka Shrine is a dazzling kitsch building in the form of a lion-shaped stage - unique to say the least, especially when compared to the austere shrine next to it.  The shrine also hosts a famous Tug-of-War ritual, held on the third Sunday in January every year.  This ceremony is based on a Japanese myth that the diety of the shrine Susano-o-no-mikoto killed the large snake which eliminated hardships.
    namba-yasaka-shrine-5.jpg
  • Seifa Utaki is both a sacred place and a place of prayer. It was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  Men were once prohibited from entering, and even the Kings were supposed to dress as women when they entered. It is considered one of the seven sacred places said to have been built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is  ikoe no Okimi the highest female religious leader. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and so is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people visit Seifa Utaki and similar places of worship as power points.
    seifa-utaki-3.jpg
  • Tiger Teeth at Namba Yasaka Shrine - Namba Yasaka Shrine was once a Buddhist temple, though it was destroyed by fire.  After the Meiji Restoration the temple was closed down because of the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. The original shrine buildings were burned down during WWII, therefore the buildings that stand today are reconstructions.  Its most famous feature is the large lion head Ema-Den.  Yasaka Shrine is a dazzling kitsch building in the form of a lion-shaped stage - unique to say the least, especially when compared to the austere shrine next to it.  The shrine also hosts a famous Tug-of-War ritual, held on the third Sunday in January every year.  This ceremony is based on a Japanese myth that the diety of the shrine Susano-o-no-mikoto killed the large snake which eliminated hardships.
    namba-yasaka-shrine-2.jpg
  • Colorful Mural at Trieu Chau Assembly Hall,  built in honor of Fu Lu Shuo, the diety of Wealth, Happiness and Longetivity. Worshippers come here to make oaths or ask favors.
    trieu-chau-assembly-1.jpg
  • Seifa Utaki is both a sacred place and a place of prayer. It was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  Men were once prohibited from entering, and even the Kings were supposed to dress as women when they entered. It is considered one of the seven sacred places said to have been built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is  ikoe no Okimi the highest female religious leader. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and so is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people visit Seifa Utaki and similar places of worship as power points.
    seifa-utaki-7.jpg
  • Seifa Utaki is both a sacred place and a place of prayer. It was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  Men were once prohibited from entering, and even the Kings were supposed to dress as women when they entered. It is considered one of the seven sacred places said to have been built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is  ikoe no Okimi the highest female religious leader. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and so is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people visit Seifa Utaki and similar places of worship as power points.
    seifa-utaki-5.jpg
  • 58. Seifa Utaki 斎場御嶽 was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  These rites mixed animism with ancestor worship in a uniquely Okiwawan form. Men were once prohibited from entering and even Kings were supposed to dress as women before entering. It is considered one of the seven sacred places built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is Ikoe-no-Okimi the highest goddess. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people worship at Seifa Utaki as a sacred site.
    58.OKINAWA-SEIFA-UTAKI-02.jpg
  • Seifa Utaki is both a sacred place and a place of prayer. It was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  Men were once prohibited from entering, and even the Kings were supposed to dress as women when they entered. It is considered one of the seven sacred places said to have been built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is  ikoe no Okimi the highest female religious leader. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and so is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people visit Seifa Utaki and similar places of worship as power points.
    seifa-utaki-2.jpg
  • Hantaji -Temple of Great Wealth is located on a hill with a view of Matsuyama Castle and the Seto Inland Sea in the distance. It is known as the “temple of the universal” and contains a statue of Nagara the medicinal priest.  Hantaji also has a protective diety which is said to help with examinations, as well as marital harmony and warding off misfortune.   Hanta-ji is temple number 50 of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Trail which is traditionally completed on foot taking up some 40 days to complete as the full course is approximately 1200 km.
    hantaji-2.jpg
  • Hantaji -Temple of Great Wealth is located on a hill with a view of Matsuyama Castle and the Seto Inland Sea in the distance. It is known as the “temple of the universal” and contains a statue of Nagara the medicinal priest.  Hantaji also has a protective diety which is said to help with examinations, as well as marital harmony and warding off misfortune.   Hanta-ji is temple number 50 of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Trail which is traditionally completed on foot taking up some 40 days to complete as the full course is approximately 1200 km.
    hantaji-2.jpg
  • 58. Seifa Utaki 斎場御嶽 was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  These rites mixed animism with ancestor worship in a uniquely Okiwawan form. Men were once prohibited from entering and even Kings were supposed to dress as women before entering. It is considered one of the seven sacred places built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is Ikoe-no-Okimi the highest goddess. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people worship at Seifa Utaki as a sacred site.
    58.OKINAWA-SEIFA-UTAKI-01.jpg
  • Tiger Teeth at Namba Yasaka Shrine - Namba Yasaka Shrine was once a Buddhist temple, though it was destroyed by fire.  After the Meiji Restoration the temple was closed down because of the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. The original shrine buildings were burned down during WWII, therefore the buildings that stand today are reconstructions.  Its most famous feature is the large lion head Ema-Den.  Yasaka Shrine is a dazzling kitsch building in the form of a lion-shaped stage - unique to say the least, especially when compared to the austere shrine next to it.  The shrine also hosts a famous Tug-of-War ritual, held on the third Sunday in January every year.  This ceremony is based on a Japanese myth that the diety of the shrine Susano-o-no-mikoto killed the large snake which eliminated hardships.
    namba-yasaka-shrine-3.jpg
  • Namba Yasaka Shrine was once a Buddhist temple, though it was destroyed by fire.  After the Meiji Restoration the temple was closed down because of the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. The original shrine buildings were burned down during WWII, therefore the buildings that stand today are reconstructions.  Its most famous feature is the large lion head Ema-Den.  Yasaka Shrine is a dazzling kitsch building in the form of a lion-shaped stage - unique to say the least, especially when compared to the austere shrine next to it.  The shrine also hosts a famous Tug-of-War ritual, held on the third Sunday in January every year.  This ceremony is based on a Japanese myth that the diety of the shrine Susano-o-no-mikoto killed the large snake which eliminated hardships.
    namba-yasaka-shrine-1.jpg
  • Hantaji -Temple of Great Wealth is located on a hill with a view of Matsuyama Castle and the Seto Inland Sea in the distance. It is known as the “temple of the universal” and contains a statue of Nagara the medicinal priest.  Hantaji also has a protective diety which is said to help with examinations, as well as marital harmony and warding off misfortune.   Hanta-ji is temple number 50 of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Trail which is traditionally completed on foot taking up some 40 days to complete as the full course is approximately 1200 km.
    hantaji-3.jpg
  • 58. Seifa Utaki 斎場御嶽 was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  These rites mixed animism with ancestor worship in a uniquely Okiwawan form. Men were once prohibited from entering and even Kings were supposed to dress as women before entering. It is considered one of the seven sacred places built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is Ikoe-no-Okimi the highest goddess. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people worship at Seifa Utaki as a sacred site.
    58.OKINAWA-SEIFA-UTAKI-03.jpg
  • Seifa Utaki is both a sacred place and a place of prayer. It was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  Men were once prohibited from entering, and even the Kings were supposed to dress as women when they entered. It is considered one of the seven sacred places said to have been built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is  ikoe no Okimi the highest female religious leader. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and so is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people visit Seifa Utaki and similar places of worship as power points.
    seifa-utaki-6.jpg
  • Seifa Utaki is both a sacred place and a place of prayer. It was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  Men were once prohibited from entering, and even the Kings were supposed to dress as women when they entered. It is considered one of the seven sacred places said to have been built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is  ikoe no Okimi the highest female religious leader. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and so is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people visit Seifa Utaki and similar places of worship as power points.
    seifa-utaki-1.jpg
  • Seifa Utaki is both a sacred place and a place of prayer. It was once the highest-ranking sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Forest and bare rocks were admired as objects presented as God made them.  Men were once prohibited from entering, and even the Kings were supposed to dress as women when they entered. It is considered one of the seven sacred places said to have been built by Amamikiyo, the god for ancient spirits of the Ryukyu people. Its diety is  ikoe no Okimi the highest female religious leader. The forest around Seifa-utaki was undamaged during World War II and so is full of rare ferns, trees and orchids. Even today people visit Seifa Utaki and similar places of worship as power points.
    seifa-utaki-4.jpg
  • Namba Yasaka Shrine was once a Buddhist temple, though it was destroyed by fire.  After the Meiji Restoration the temple was closed down because of the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. The original shrine buildings were burned down during WWII, therefore the buildings that stand today are reconstructions.  Its most famous feature is the large lion head Ema-Den.  Yasaka Shrine is a dazzling kitsch building in the form of a lion-shaped stage - unique to say the least, especially when compared to the austere shrine next to it.  The shrine also hosts a famous Tug-of-War ritual, held on the third Sunday in January every year.  This ceremony is based on a Japanese myth that the diety of the shrine Susano-o-no-mikoto killed the large snake which eliminated hardships.
    namba-yasaka-shrine-4.jpg