AKumano shrine (熊野神社,Kumano Jinja) is a type ofShinto shrine which enshrines the three Kumano mountains:Hongū, Shingū, and Nachi [KumanoGongen (熊野権現)].[1] There are more than 3,000 Kumano shrines inJapan, and each has received itskami from another Kumano shrine through a process of propagation calledbunrei (分霊) orkanjō (勧請).
The point of origin of the Kumano cult is the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex inWakayama Prefecture, which comprisesKumano Hayatama Taisha (熊野速玉大社) (Shingū, Wakayama),Kumano Hongū Taisha (Tanabe, Wakayama) andKumano Nachi Taisha (Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture).[2]
The three Kumano Sanzan shrines are theSōhonsha ("head shrines") of all Kumano shrines and lie between 20 and 40 km from each other.[2] They are connected to each other by the pilgrimage route known asKumano Kodō (熊野古道).[2] The great Kumano Sanzan complex also includes two Buddhist temples,Seiganto-ji andFudarakusan-ji.[3]
The religious significance of the Kumano region goes back to prehistoric times and therefore predates all modern religions in Japan.[3] The area is still considered a place of physical healing.[3] Each shrine initially had its own separate form of nature worship. In the 10th century, under the influence of Buddhism, the three came to be worshiped together as the three deities of Kumano.[3] Because at the time Japanesekami were believed to be emanations ofbuddhas (honji suijaku theory), the three came to be associated with Buddhas. Kuniyasutamahime became associated withSahasrabhūjaAvalokiteśvara (Senju Kannon, "Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara"),Bhaisajyaguru (Yakushi Nyōrai) andAmitābha (Amida Nyōrai).[2][4]
The site became a unique example ofshinbutsu-shūgō, the fusion between Buddhism and Japaneseindigenous religion.[3] The Kumano Sanzan site attracted many worshipers and became a popular pilgrimage destination.[2] In the 11th century, pilgrims were mostly members of theimperial family or aristocrats, but four centuries later they were mostly commoners.[3] The visit was referred to as the "Kumano ant pilgrimage" (蟻の熊野参り, Ari no Kumano mairi), because they could be seen winding through the valleys like so many ants.
| Main Deities |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Three Great Shrines | ||
| Other Shrines | ||
| Related Shrines | ||