| Iwa Shrine 伊和神社 | |
|---|---|
%2c_haiden-1.jpg) Haiden of Iwa Shrine  | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shinto |
| Deity | Ōkuninushi |
| Festival | October 15 |
| Location | |
| Location | 407 Ichinomiya-chō Sugyōme, Shisō-shi, Hyōgo-ken 671-4133 |
  Iwa Shrine Show map of Hyōgo Prefecture Iwa Shrine (Japan) Show map of Japan | |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°05′15.1″N134°35′11.3″E / 35.087528°N 134.586472°E /35.087528; 134.586472 |
 Glossary of Shinto | |
Iwa Jinja (伊和神社) is aShinto shrine in the Ichinomiya neighborhood of the city ofShisō inHyōgo Prefecture,Japan. It is theichinomiya of formerHarima Province. The main festival of the shrine is held annually on October 15.[1]
Thekami enshrined at Iwa Jinja are:
The origins of Iwa Jinja are uncertain. According to the Harimafudoki, it was during the reign ofEmperor Seimu orEmperor Kinmei and takes its name from a syllable uttered by Ōkuninushi when he completed building the country. The shrine is listed in the earlyHeian periodEngishiki and was thenichinomiya of the province from the end of the Heian period. Although destroyed periodically by fire, it has been rebuilt with the support of the Imperial Court, theAkamatsu clan and various feudal lords. After theMeiji Restoration, it was listed as a National Shrine, 2nd rank (国幣中社,Kokuhei Chusha) in 1871.[2][3]
The Hitotsuyama Kofun, aKofun periodburial mound is located 400 meters to the southeast of the Iwa Shrine. It is a Hyōgo Prefectural Historic Site.[4]
"The Iwa Shrine follows a distinct cycle for its two principal rites. The Single Mountain Rite is performed once every twenty years, while the Three Mountains Rite takes place every sixty years.[5]
Contrastingly, atItatehyōzu Shrine, the frequency of the rites is reversed compared to Iwa Shrine: the Single Mountain Rite occurs every sixty years, and the Three Mountains Rite is celebrated every twenty years."[5]
It is said this similarity happened because the Iwa deity was invited toItatehyōzu Shrine in ancient times throughKanjō.[5]
The Single Mountain Rite is a festival at Iwa Shrine. It happens every twenty years. The shrine is in Ichinomiya Town, Shisō County, Hyōgo Prefecture. The festival honors Mt. Miya. This mountain is said to be the tomb ofŌnamuchi-no-mikoto.[5]
One month before the festival, a new shrine is placed on the mountain top. A white flag is raised. The festival includes worshipping three mountains from afar. These are Mt. Takahata, Mt. Hanasaki, and Mt. Shirakura. A sacred palanquin is also carried to the river valley.[5]
Every twenty years, the Three Mountains Rite takes place at Iwa Shrine. This is to worship the three mountains.Itatehyōzu Shrine in Himeji City also holds these rites.[5]
AtItatehyōzu Shrine, there is a week-long event. A bamboo and cloth mountain is built. It is fifteen meters high. It is placed at the shrine's entrance. A small shrine is put on top of this. Food offerings are made. These offerings include mochi.[5]
| Shrine | Single Mountain | Three Mountains |
|---|---|---|
| Itatehyōzu Shrine | 20 | 60 |
| Iwa Shrine | 60 | 20 |
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