Culture
Ise Jingū (Gekū) — Ise Grand Shrine
Ise Jingū in Mie Prefecture is Japan’s foremost Shinto shrine complex, centered on Naikū and Gekū, with seasonal opening hours and free entry.
Ise Shrine Gekū (Ise Jingū)
The Ise Grand Shrine, also known as Ise Jingū, is located in Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Officially known simply as Jingū, Ise Jingū is a shrine complex composed of many Shinto shrines, centered on two main shrines: Naikū and Gekū.
Naikū (the Inner Shrine), officially known as Kōtai Jingū, is located in Uji-tachi, south of central Ise. It is dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu, where she is believed to dwell. The shrine buildings are made of solid cypress wood and use no nails, instead relying on joined wood construction.
Gekū (the Outer Shrine), officially known as Toyouke Daijingū, is located about six kilometers from Naikū. It is dedicated to Toyouke-Ōmikami, the deity of agriculture, rice harvest, and industry. In addition to Naikū and Gekū, there are 123 more Shinto shrines in Ise City and surrounding areas—91 connected to Naikū and 32 to Gekū.
General Information
- Address: Toyokawa 279, Ise, Mie
- Telephone:
- Admission: Free
- Average visit length: 30 minutes to one hour
Opening Hours
- October, November, and December: 5:00–17:00
- January to April, and September: 5:00–17:00
- May to August: 5:00–19:00
Ease of Access
- Take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line from Nagoya Station to Ise-shi Station (about 1h 20m).
- Walk from Ise-shi Station (5 minutes).
History
Amaterasu-Omikami was originally worshipped in the Imperial Palace by successive Emperors of Japan. During the reign of the 10th Emperor Sujin, however, the Holy Mirror (the symbol of Amaterasu-Omikami) was moved from the Imperial Palace.
Later, during the reign of the 11th Emperor Suinin, the Emperor ordered his princess, Yamatohime-no-mikoto, to seek the most appropriate place to permanently enshrine and worship Amaterasu-Omikami. After searching across many regions, the princess finally received a revelation that Amaterasu-Omikami should be enshrined and worshipped eternally in Ise—approximately 2,000 years ago.
In the era of the 21st Emperor Yūryaku, about 1,500 years ago, Toyo'uke-no-Omikami was, according to another revelation from Amaterasu-Omikami, summoned from the north of Kyoto Prefecture and enshrined in Ise.
Rituals and Ceremonies
Rituals and ceremonies at Ise Jingū, offered in prayer for the prosperity of the Imperial family, peace in the world, and abundant harvests, are performed by the Jingu priesthood under the direction of the Emperor, regarded as a direct descendant of Amaterasu-Omikami. For this reason, the rites conducted at Jingu can be described as Imperial rituals.
These rituals are broadly divided into three groups:
- Regularly conducted daily and annual rituals
- Extraordinary rituals, conducted on special occasions for the benefit of the Imperial Family, the nation, or Jingu
- Shikinen Sengū rituals, conducted every twenty years
For certain important rituals within these groups, the Emperor sends an Imperial Envoy to Jingu to dedicate textiles called heihaku.
Annual Rituals
Annual rituals follow the cycle of rice cultivation. The most important ceremony of the year is Kanname-sai, during which Jingu priests offer the first rice of the year harvested at Jingu and dedicate prayers of gratitude to Amaterasu-Omikami for presenting the first rice to the terrestrial world through her grandson. At Kanname-sai, an ear of new rice grown by the Emperor is also dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami.
Social Media
- Website: https://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/index.html
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isejingu.official
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isejingu.official/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgmtMZhhjCfzRZo_nWc1sg
- Official Brochure: https://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/about/pdf/pamphlet_en.pdf
