Shikiyodayuru-Amaganubi and Amadayuru-Ashikanubi: Sacred Water stored within urns

From large stones hang two stalactites, beneath which sit urns collecting water. These are the third and fourth uganju.

The urn further away is called “Shikiyodayuru-Amaganubi”, while the one closer to you is “Amadayuru-Ashikanubi.” It’s said that above the former grows a sacred tree known as “tozurumodoki”, while above the latter grows a sacred tree known as “nagamibochoji”. As rain water passes through these sacred trees, the fallen water is held as a sacred object of worship.

At the beginning of Spring, these waters were used to foretell the harvest, with more water being good and less water being bad. The “Amaduyuru” water is used to mark the forehead of the kikoe-ogimi in her inaugural ritual at Ufugui which makes her one with the gods.

The waters in these urns are sacred, so you aren’t permitted to touch them or throw in coins.

By the way, these two large stalactites are known to the Okinawans as “chitai-ishi”. “Chi” means “breastmilk”, whereas “tai” means “to drip”. Thus, altogether, “chitai-ishi” means “rocks dripping breast milk”. Breast milk is the sacred liquid which raises people,but this name also hints at the Okinawan sense of humor.

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