🗺️ Ise Jingu伊勢神宮

Ise Jingu is affectionately referred to by the locals as "Ise-sensei," while "Ise Jingu" is the common name; its official name is "Jingu." Within the Jingu, there is the Naiku (Kotaijingu), which enshrines the ancestral deity of the Japanese imperial family, Amaterasu Omikami, and the Geku (Toyouke Daijingu), which enshrines the deities of food, clothing, shelter, and industry. In total, there are 125 shrines, including subsidiary shrines, branch shrines, and affiliated shrines. The shrine buildings are constructed from cypress wood and follow the ancient Japanese architectural style known as "Shinmei-zukuri." The two main shrines and 14 subsidiary shrines undergo reconstruction every 20 years, along with the Shikinen Sengu ceremony, which involves the transfer of the sacred objects. The Naiku, established around 2000 years ago during the reign of Emperor Suinin, has the sacred mirror "Yata no Kagami," one of the three sacred treasures, as its deity. After crossing the Uji Bridge over the Isuzugawa River and walking along the long approach path, visitors can reach the main shrine centered around the Naiku and the two subsidiary shrines. There are also four subsidiary shrines near the Naiku: Tsukiyomi-no-Miya and Tsukiyomi-no-Aramitama-no-Miya, which enshrine Tsukiyomi, and Isanagi-no-Miya and Isanami-no-Miya, which enshrine both Amaterasu Omikami and Tsukiyomi. Five hundred years after the establishment of the Naiku, Toyouke Daijingu, the deity responsible for providing food for Amaterasu Omikami, was invited from Tanba Province, leading to the construction of the Geku. Since then, the Geku has been performing morning and evening rituals for offering food to Amaterasu Omikami, the accompanying deities, and the various gods of the subsidiary shrines.

Ise Jingu does not have a specific order of worship; according to tradition, visitors worship from the Geku (Outer Shrine) to the Naiku (Inner Shrine). It is regarded as the guardian deity of the nation and is deeply revered by the people as the head shrine of all shrines in the country. Within its grounds, there are many large trees, providing healing amidst the natural surroundings of the Isuzugawa River and the vast landscape.