What is the True Japanese Spirit?

Ise Jingu consists of Naiku and Geku.

Amaterasu-Omikami, the ancestral goddess of Japan, is enshrined in Naiku.The most revered kami, or shinto deity, in Japan, she is like the sun, with a brilliance that lights up the heavens. In spite of this, it’s custom to visit Geku first, as Toyouke-Omikami, the kami who provides food to Amaterasu-Omikami, is enshrined here.

Besides “Shikinen Sengu”, the periodic reconstruction of the main halls of Naiku and Geku, all ritual offerings must begin at Geku first. Following this tradition, we will also begin our pilgrimage from Geku and its origins.

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