This series, which began in January 2025, is finally coming to an end. Up until now, we have introduced Ise Grand Shrine from various perspectives, sometimes touching on the Shikinen Sengu Festival. To conclude this series, we would like to propose a slightly more sophisticated way to visit Ise. We will once again summarize how to worship,See you againPopular among Ise fansHarukamiya(Tononomiya= A branch shrine far away from Ise)ofTakihara Palace),We will also focus on and introduce the branch shrines, including Izawanomiya Shrine.

The pilgrimage to Ise begins at the Outer Shrine

If possible, it is best to visit Ise Shrine in the morning, preferably early in the morning.The sacred grounds, bathed in the most radiant light, feel even more refreshing and divine.

First of all,Following the custom of Geku Sensai (a festival held at the Geku first), we visited Toyouke Daijingu (Geku) before Kotaijingu (Naiku). We crossed the Hiyokebashi Bridge at the main gate and entered the sacred grounds. We were surrounded by a lush forest with the green of the trees overhead and sunlight filtering through the trees here and there.As you walk along the approach to the shrine, your mind will strangely become calmer.

The visit begins at the Chozuya (purification fountain) on the left side of the approach to the shrine. Using water scooped up with a ladle, the hands and mouth are purified, washing away the invisible impurities that have unknowingly accumulated in daily life. Purifying both the hands, which represent the outside of the body, and the mouth, which represents the inside of the body.ByIt is believed that this is a form of purification for the body and mind.

Things to be careful of when walking along the approach to the shrine

The approach to the Geku Shrine isAs the Chozuya (purification fountain) is on the left side, people walk on the left side. It is said that walking on the far side of the main shrine on the right expresses a feeling of reverence.

By the way, it is said that people should refrain from walking down the center of the approach to the shrine.

"The Muromachi period book Sanpai Shiki Ruiju also states that in the middle of the approach to the shrine,––––Midline andsayBut––––It says to be careful when passing through.

"The main path to the shrine used to be a little higher, and during festivals there was a path called 'okimichi' where imperial envoys would pass to offer prayers on behalf of the emperor. So the idea that the main path is a sacred place, and while it's not that you should never pass through it, you should be respectful when passing through, has been passed down since ancient times. This eventually evolved into something of a religious belief, as a path for the gods. I think that Japanese people have felt since ancient times that there is something special about the main path, something that evokes feelings of reverence."

Satoru Otowa, deputy director of the Jingu Shrine's public relations department, said:

However, when it comes to praying at the main shrine,

"It's natural to want to do it in the middle, and I think everyone prays with a feeling of reverence, so I don't think it's wrong."

Visit the Outer Shrine's branch shrines

After visiting the main shrine, we headed to Takanomiya, a branch shrine of the Geku. The term "branch shrine" means a separate shrine (miya) from the main shrine, and is considered to be the second most prestigious after the main shrine.

Incidentally, even in ordinary shrines, "miya" is a higher rank than "sha." In the past, the Emperor would issue a "miyago senge" (proclaiming the title of shrine) to promote a shrine to a "miya."He was finally able to call himself "Miya."

In particular, Taga Shrine is home to the Aramitama (Aramitama) of Toyouke Omikami, the main deity of the Outer Shrine.=It refers to the work of the spirit that manifests its divine power in an especially remarkable way at certain times.It was enshrined at the same time as the Geku was founded, and is said to be one with Toyouke Omikami.

Originally "Takamiya(Takanomiya)　"WhenIt is called,The shrine buildingNearly 100 steep stepsIt's on top of a small hill that I climbed,pleaseI want to visitIt is a shrine.

Why is Tsuchimiya, a branch shrine of the Outer Shrine, the only shrine that faces east?

Below Tagamiya is Tsuchimiya, a branch shrine of the Outer Shrine.(Tsuchinomiya)Tokazemiya(Kazenomiya) is enshrined here..

The Tsuchimiya Shrine enshrines a god who was once the guardian deity of Yamadahara, where the Geku Shrine is located, and who became the local deity of the shrine grounds after the Geku Shrine was founded.

"The Tsuchimiya shrine is the only one of the shrines that faces east, but this does not mean that the enshrined deity faces east. People often ask me which way the deity faces, but the deity is rooted in the earth and protects the land, overlooking not just one direction but the whole area.

What is important is which direction the deity faces when offering prayers; in the case of Tsuchimiya, it faces west, toward the Miyagawa River. Since ancient times, the Miyagawa River basin has been fertile land, but has suffered from damage caused by flooding, so it was probably enshrined as a guardian deity to show respect to the Miyagawa River." Otohasays:

On the other hand, Kazemiya is dedicated to the god who controls wind and rain.

Incidentally, the promotion of these two shrines to branch shrines is relatively recent among the shrines, with Tsuchimiya being promoted in 1128 (the third year of the Taiji era) and Kazemiya in 1293 (the sixth year of the Shoo era).

A branch shrine of the Outer Shrine that enshrines the god who rules over Yorunosukuni

After visiting the branch shrine, leave the shrine grounds through Kitamikado and continue north. Walk about 300 meters along a road called Shinji-dori and you will come across a lush forest. This is Tsukiyomi-no-miya, a branch shrine of the Outer Shrine.

The enshrined deity of this branch shrine is Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto.Mikoto)and the rough spirit of Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto.

According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Tsukiyomi-no-MikotoAncestor godHe is said to be the younger brother of Amaterasu Omikami, who was born after Izanagi-no-Mikoto, the goddess of the goddess Izanagi, performed a purification ritual in the sea. At this time, Amaterasu-no-Mikoto, the elder sister goddess born from his right eye, was entrusted by Izanagi-no-Mikoto with ruling Takamagahara, the world of the gods, and Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, born from his left eye, was entrusted with ruling Yoru-no-Osukuni.

The names of the auxiliary shrines we have visited so far include "earth," "wind," and "moon," and "sun," which is said to be the symbol of Amaterasu Omikami, the main deity of the shrine enshrined in the Inner Shrine.It occurred to me that a pilgrimage to Ise Shrine might be an act of giving thanks to the various natural phenomena that we take for granted in our daily lives.

Before visiting the Inner Shrine,
Visit Yamatohime-no-miya, Tsukiyomi-no-miya and four other branch shrines.

The pilgrimage to Ise Shrine goes from the Outer Shrine to the Inner Shrine. However, along the way, there are four branch shrines, including Yamatohime-no-miya and Tsukiyomi-no-miya, which are branch shrines of the Inner Shrine.

Yamatohime-no-Mikoto, the deity enshrined at Yamatohime-gu,The enshrinement of Amaterasu OmikamiIn search of land, he traveled from Kasanuimura in Yamato (present-day Nara Prefecture) to Mitsueshiro, the seat of Amaterasu Omikami.(=Serving as God's rod)She was the daughter of the 11th Emperor Suinin and is said to have traveled around the country.

Later, through the divine revelation of Amaterasu Omikami, Yamatohime-no-mikoto decided on the location of the shrine in the current Ise area, but her achievements did not end there. She also decided on the offerings to Amaterasu Omikami, the contents of the sacred offerings, which were rice, vegetables, fruits, and seafood, which were the food of the gods, and even the place where these offerings were to be procured. She also decided on the conduct of rituals such as the Kanname-sai, the duties of the servants, and so on., ShrineRegardless of the scale and organization of the businessRu baseIt is said that the foundation was laid.

Moreover, in the early Kamakura period, the "Yamatohime no Mikoto Seiki" was compiled, and the details of Yamatohime no Mikoto's pilgrimage and her teachings were passed down to later generations.Passed downIt was decided that this would be done.

The teachings say, for example, that there is something inherent in the human heart.God existsdeath(="Shinshin"), and living with the god in one's heart intact (=Honesty is considered the ideal. However, impurity inevitably arises from the various distractions and selfish desires of daily life. This impurity can be purified through purification and returned to the original state of "purity."such asIt also includes information that will be useful to the general public about the significance of worship.

On the other hand, Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto is the enshrined deity of Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, a branch shrine of the Outer Shrine. Although the kanji used are different, it is the same deity, and as well as controlling the phases of the moon, it is also believed to bring about the calendar, as it is interpreted as being able to read the age of the moon.

in addition,To the left of Tsukiyomi Shrine,The rough spirit of Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto is enshrined here.Tsukiyomi Aramitama ShrineShrine.

The sacred grounds also include Izanagi Shrine, dedicated to Izanagi no Mikoto, the parent deity of Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and Izanami no Mikoto, dedicated to his wife Izanami no Mikoto (who, however, had already passed away and was in the underworld when Tsukuyomi no Mikoto was born), with four shrine buildings lined up in a horizontal row.

The reason why the character "Mikoto" is added to the name of the deity is because of the description in the "Nihon Shoki" that "The most honorable one is called Mikoto, and the rest are called Mikoto."IThat.

Feel the refreshing air of the Inner Shrine with all your senses

When visiting the Inner Shrine, you should first notice the torii gate at Ujibashi Bridge. The torii gate in front of the Isuzu River is made of ridge pillars that supported the roof of the former main hall of the Outer Shrine.At the torii gate at the end of the bridge,The old NaikuThe ridge pillars of the main hall are used.

At the Inner Shrine, traffic keeps to the right, unlike the Outer Shrine.

At the Mitarashi (washing area) that appears on the right side of the approach to the shrine,After the cleansing, although it is not a separate shrine, rituals are performed in the same manner as at a separate shrine.Let's pay our respects to Takimatsuri-no-kami, the guardian deity of the Isuzu River.

After praying at the main shrine, head to Aramatsurinomiya and Kazahinomiya, two branch shrines of the Inner Shrine that enshrine the rough spirit of Amaterasu Omikami. Experience the refreshing atmosphere of the sacred grounds with all your senses.

It is a branch shrine of the Inner Shrine that is popular among Ise fans.
Takiharanomiya and Izawanomiya, also known as the distant shrines

Furthermore, if you are a fan of Ise Shrine, you should visit at least once the two branch shrines of the Inner Shrine, Takiharanomiya, also known as Tononomiya, and Izawanomiya. Both are dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami.

The origins of Takihara Shrine date back approximately 2000 years. According to the aforementioned "Yamatohime no Mikoto Seiki," when Yamatohime no Mikoto traveled from downstream to upstream of the Miyagawa River in search of a place for Amaterasu Omikami to reside, she came across a beautiful land called "Okawanotakihara no Kuni" and built a shrine there.

The approach to the shrine is lined with large cedar trees that are hundreds of years old, and the clear waters of the Tondo River flowing beside it, along with a public rest area. While reminiscent of the Naiku Shrine, there are not many visitors, making it an appealing place to take your time and worship.

On the other hand, Izushi Shrine is a branch shrine located in Shima City, Mie Prefecture, near Izushi Bay.

After Amaterasu Omikami was enshrined in the land of Ise, Yamatohime-no-mikoto gathered offerings for Amaterasu Omikami at the MiniePlaceWhen he traveled around Shima Province to decide on the location of the shrine, Izawatomi-no-Mikoto offered him rice that had ripened abundantly.It was founded as a result ofThat.

Even now, the rice fields of this shrine areplanting ceremonyIt is famous and is counted as one of Japan's three major rice-planting festivals, along with those of Katori Shrine in Chiba and Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka, and has been designated a national intangible cultural property.

The land of Shima is also known as the "Hayanie Island" in the Kojiki.=The area has long been known as Miketsukuni (the land of food), and appears in the "Book of Ceremonies of the Imperial Shrine," compiled in the 23rd year of the Enryaku era (804).でIt is said to be designated.

The more I learn, the deeper the world of Jingu becomes. It's endlessly fascinating, but for now, this is it.Separator andI would like to visit. Also, starting on the night of New Year's Eve, a large bonfire called "Dondobi" is lit at the shrine all night long, and both the Inner Shrine and the Outer Shrine are open to worshipers all day, including at night, from 5:12 am on December 31st until 1:20 pm on January 5th. This is a rare opportunity for the general public to visit at night. I would definitely like to visit.

I've been making pilgrimages to Ise Shrine several times a year for over ten years now. I don't really know why I'm so drawn to it. If I had to say, it would be that I feel the urge to visit for no reason at all. Perhaps that's the charm of Ise Shrine. Above all, visiting the shrine with only feelings of gratitude is far more refreshing than making all sorts of requests, and it leaves a feeling of clarity in the heart.

I hope to continue making these pilgrimages to Ise Shrine, where I can reset myself each day by clearing my eyes, heart, and ears, rather than understanding it with my head.

Text by Misa Horiuchi

Writer

When I went to Europe to cover classical music, I was asked a lot of questions about Japan.This experience of being unable to answer most of the questions prompted him to begin researching Japanese music, culture, and prayer.This year marks his 16th year. His books include "Adult Nara: A journey to clear your mind" and "Adult Nara: A journey through breathtaking views" (both published by Tankosha), and "The World of Kamuy" (published by Shinchosha).

Photo by Akihiko Horiuchi

Photographers
He currently photographs mainly shrines and Japanese prayers. His photo books include "Ainu Prayers" (Kyuryudo) and "To the Forest of Brahms' Music" (Sekai Bunka Publishing). He is also a photographer who loves Bach, Evans, and sacred mountains.