Shikaumi Shrine

Shikaumi Shrine
Religion
AffiliationShinto
DeityWatatsumi,

Empress Jingu,
Tamayorihime,
Emperor Ojin,

Azumi-no-isora

Shikaumi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan.[1][2] It is located on Shikanoshima island.[3]

The shrine has historical connections to foreign wars as it was the place from which Empress Jingū launched her invasion of Korea, and it was also a site of conflict during the Mongol invasions of Japan.[1]

The Azumi people, who inhabited Kyushu, traditionally followed the sea deity, Watatsumi.[4] Shikaumi Shrine is considered this deity's ancestral shrine, and also honors Watatsumi[5] and Azumi-no-isora.[6]

The primary revered figures of the shrine include, on the left, Nakatsu Watatsumi no Kami (middle depth god) and Empress Jingū; in the middle, Sokotsu Watatsumi no Kami (depths god) and Tamayorihime no Kami; and on the right, Uwatsu Watatsumi no Kami (sea surface god) and Emperor Ōjin.[7]: xxvi 

The three watatsumis are speculated to correspond to historical fishing practices[7]: xxviii 

Empress Jingū and Emperor Ojin are both worshipped at the shrine due to their relationship with the myth of the invasion of the Three Han.[7]: xxvii  Empress Jingu had sex with the god Azumi-no-isora while pregnant with Emperor Ojin after he said from the womb that it was acceptable, and then Azumi no Isora gave her the tide jewels.[7]: xxvii  Watatsumi Shrine which was founded by Empress Jingu when she returned from the Three Han (三韓, Korea) campaign.[8] and also worships Watatsumi[9] and Ikasuri Shrine and Ikuta Shrine which were also founded by her at the time.[9]

The biennial gojinkosai ceremony held at the shrine is recognized as an intangible cultural property by the prefecture.[5]

The shrine incorporates a deer motif in its rituals and designs. The deer motif is significant to the Azumi people and their beliefs,[1][4] and is a common feature in the historic culture of the region.[1][4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Wakabayashi, Haruko. "The Mongol Invasions and the Making of the Iconography of Foreign Enemies: The Case of Shikaumi jinja engi". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ "Shikaumi Shrine". The Official Guide to Fukuoka City - yokanavi.com. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  3. ^ "Shikaumi-jinja Shrine Okitsu-gu Shrine". VISIT FUKUOKA. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  4. ^ a b c Rambelli, F (2018). The Sea and The Sacred in Japan. Camden: Bloomsbury Academic Publishing. pp. preface. ISBN 978-1350062870.
  5. ^ a b "Shikaumi Jinja Gojinkosai". DyDo GROUP Matsuri of Japan. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  6. ^ Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. International Institute for the Study of Religions. 1993.
  7. ^ a b c d Rambelli, F (2018). The Sea and The Sacred in Japan. Camden: Bloomsbury Academic Publishing. ISBN 978-1350062870.
  8. ^ "Shinto shrines | Japan | Rods Shinto". shintoshrines. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  9. ^ a b "Watatsumi Shrine | 海神社 |Hyogo-ken, Kobe-shi". shintoshrines. Retrieved 2023-04-06.



33°40′05″N 130°18′48″E / 33.6680°N 130.3132°E / 33.6680; 130.3132