📜 Content
Kumano Hayatama Taisha, along with Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha, is collectively known as the Kumano Sanzan and serves as the head shrine among the 5,000 Kumano shrines across the country. With a long history, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Kumano Hayatama Taisha is referred to as the "Land of Rebirth," where people pray for the courage and determination to take new steps in their lives. Throughout the year, visitors continuously make their way along the Kumano Kodo to pay their respects.
Inside the beautifully mysterious vermilion shrine, in addition to the main deities, "Kumano Hayatama no Okami" and "Kumano Fushumi no Okami," a couple of gods, a total of 18 deities are enshrined. Through the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism (which refers to the blending of indigenous Japanese Shinto beliefs with Buddhism to form a unified belief system), the concept of Kumano Gongen was born in Kumano. People believe that Kumano Hayatama no Okami is the embodiment of Yakushi Nyorai (Buddha of Medicine), while Kumano Fushumi no Okami is the incarnation of Kannon (Bodhisattva of Compassion) who saves the people (Note: The Gongen concept refers to the Buddhist idea of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas appearing in the form of Japanese gods through incarnation).
The shrine houses a vast collection of sacred treasures, including over 1,200 items such as the "Maki-e Box" and "Painted Hinoki Wood Fan" offered by the retired emperor and shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, all designated as national treasures and passed down through generations (Note: Maki-e refers to decorative patterns created using gold, silver, and colored powders on lacquerware).
Within the temple grounds stands a sacred tree over a thousand years old, known as "Takeha no Oki," which is said to have been personally planted by the warrior Taira no Shigemori and has been designated as a national natural monument. The Japanese word for the tree, NAGI, sounds the same as "nagi," which means calm seas, and since ancient times, people have taken NAGI leaves as talismans for safe travels. Today, Kumano Hayatama Taisha offers talismans shaped like NAGI leaves, as well as dolls made from NAGI fruits as protective items.
Additionally, the "Kumano Gyuōfu," depicted with bird-shaped characters, is very famous, representing the Yatagarasu, which guided Emperor Jimmu to Yamato's Kashihara and has been revered as an all-powerful talisman since ancient times.
