Culture

[Soul of Japan] Ise Jingu, a Place to Pray for the Imperial Family and the Nation

Published

5 years ago

November 9, 2019

JAPAN Forward

: Jaspan's Heisei Emperor and Empress at Ise Jingu

: Map of Ise Jingu Inner Shrine - Kotajingu -

: Naruhito at Ise Jingu as Crown Prince

: Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako Visit Geku at Ise Jingu

: Toyo’uke-no-Omikami, Kami of Abundant Foods, Cloth and Shelter

: Ujibashi Bridge - Ise Jingu Shrine Hosts World Leaders for G7 Summit with Prayers for Peace

: Ise Jingu Inner Shrine renewed and rebuilt - a Place to Pray for the Emperor and the Nation

: Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and Princess Aiko Pay Respects to Amaterasu at Ise Shrine

: Ise Jingu - A Place to Thank the Kami and Pray for Japan

Many of Japan’s traditions and ideas are unfamiliar to those outside of Japan. Therefore, JAPAN Forward and Jinja Honcho have collaborated to bring readers an explanation of the key concepts of kami, matsuri, shrines, myths, and many other traditions and beliefs which form the core of Japanese culture.

The “Soul of Japan” series provides an introduction to Shinto, focusing in this segment on the sanctuary of shrines at the heart of Shinto — Ise Jingu.

Ise-Jingu, ofﬁcially known as “Jingu,” includes 125 jinja or shrines.

Jingu is centered around Kotaijingu (Naiku), the most venerable sanctuary in Japan. This shrine was dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami, the ancestral deity to Japan’s imperial family, about 2,000 years ago.

Toyo’uke-daijingu (Geku) is also on the premises. It is the shrine dedicated to Toyo’uke-no-Omikami, the kami who was said to be summoned to Ise by Amaterasu-omikami to be her companion and provider of sacred foods.

In land area, Jingu is roughly the same size as the city of Paris. More than 1,500 rituals are conducted here yearly to pray for the prosperity of the imperial family and the peace of the nation.

OTHER PARTS OF THE SOUL OF JAPAN SERIES: