Tamawakasu-mikoto Shrine is the sōja, or main general shrine of the Oki Islands region. The sōja system was established during the Heian period, the period from 794 to 1185, to allow officials dispatched from the center of the country to perform their duties more easily. At that time, an official assigned to a certain place had to visit all the shrines in that area in order of their rank. In the Oki Islands, where even today there are more than 150 shrines, visiting all of them was very hard work. For this reason, this shrine was established as the main general shrine. Visiting this shrine meant that one had effectively visited all of the shrines in the region.

Approaching the Shrine

Let us begin our visit to the shrine. As you approach a shrine, which side of the path do you walk on? The center of the path is for the gods to pass through. Therefore, we must walk on either the left or the right side of the path. Generally, we walk on the left side. The reason for this is in the Zuishinmon gate in front of us. Inside the gate sit two guardians: a “Minister of the Right” on the right side and a “Minister of the Left” on the left side, as seen from the main hall where the deity resides. Between these two “ministers,” the “Minister of the Right” is of lower rank. As we enter to meet the deity, he is on our left side, so we walk along the left side of the path. The place to wash your hands is also located on the left side of the path for this reason.

Yao-sugi Japanese Cedar

As you pass through the Zuishinmon gate, you will see a large Japanese cedar tree towering before you. This tree, called Yao-sugi, is estimated to be around 2,000 years old. It is named Yao-sugi because it was supposedly planted by Yaobikuni, the legendary 800-year-old Buddhist priestess who is said to have become immortal after eating the flesh of a mermaid.

Yao-sugi is supported by many pillars. Many trees grow hollow after passing 500 years of age. Yao-sugi is also hollow on the inside, so the pillars are here to prevent it from breaking.

After you look up and take in the enormous size of Yao-sugi, please continue up the stairs to the worship hall.

Praying at the Shrine

When praying at a Shinto shrine, it is customary to first bow twice, then clap twice, then bow once more as a sign of gratitude. Once you finish praying, move around to the side where you can see the main hall, located behind the worship hall. The main hall was built in 1793 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It was built in an architectural style unique to the Oki Islands, called “oki-zukuri.” This style combines the best aspects of several famous Japanese shrine architectural styles. For example, the roof is built in the taisha-zukuri style of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine in Shimane Prefecture; the eaves are built in the kasuga-zukuri style of Kasuga Taisha in Nara Prefecture; and the floor plan is in the shinmei-zukuri style of Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.

When you have finished your shrine visit, let’s continue to the next spot.