IseJingu has a history of 2,000 years. What is true sustainability seen in inherited traditions?

What is ShikinenSengu?

ShikinenSengu is the biggest festival at IseJingu Grand Shrine, held once every 20 years, where the main shrine, furniture, costumes, etc. are all refurbished and the great deity is transferred to the new shrine.
IseJingu has a history of 2,000 years, having been enshrined in the land of Ise, but by repeating this ShikinenSengu, the shrine has become ``tokowaka'', that is, beautiful and always youthful even with the passing of time. I have maintained my appearance.

ShikinenSengu began to be held about 1,300 years ago.
It was initiated by the 40th Emperor Tenmu, and the first ShikinenSengu was carried out during the succeeding Emperor Jito's reign, and although it was forced to be interrupted due to the Onin War in the Muromachi period, it has continued to be carried out for 1,300 years until the Heisei era. In 2015, the 62nd ShikinenSengu was held.

The next ShikinenSengu is scheduled for 2020, and various events related to the Sengu will begin in 2020.

History explained through architectural style

During ShikinenSengu, not only Naiku and Geku main shrines will be renovated, but also over 170 buildings, including 14 Betsugu and torii gates.

The main building of the shrine is in an architectural style called ``Yuiitsushinmeizukuri,'' which has its origins in granaries during the Yayoi period.
One of its characteristics is the hotate bashira, which is a method of digging a hole in the ground and setting up a post there.
In Shinto, erecting pillars is considered to be an important thing that connects to worshiping the gods, as the gods are counted by pillars.
It is a construction method that is strong, earthquake-resistant, and retains an ancient flavor, but ShikinenSengu also inherits the construction methods that remain from the time when Japan was founded.

In addition, instead of discarding old materials after rebuilding, the pillars that were used as the pillars of both main shrines became the torii gates of UjibashiBridge Naiku, and 20 years later, they became the torii gates of the Uji Bridge in KuwanaCity, Mie Prefecture. It has been reused in stages, such as in the torii gate of Seki no Oiwake KameyamaCity and Seki no Oiwake.

The future of Jingu Forest

One of the unique characteristics of the Shinmei-zukuri style is that the main shrine building is made of cypress wood.
Upstream of the Isuzu River that flows along the banks of Naiku, there is a shrine forest called the Kyuukirin, and around the time of the first ShikinenSengu, the cypress trees from this shrine forest were used to decorate the shrine building. It was used as construction material.

The mountain from which the cypress used for the shrine building is harvested is called ``Misomayama'' and is designated by His Majesty the Emperor. Since the Edo period, cypress from the Kiso region has been used, but in order to once again provide official lumber from the shrine's forests as in the past, the shrine is promoting the Jingu Forest Management Plan, which involves managing and cultivating an artificial cypress forest. I am.
The project began in the Taisho era, and it will be exactly 100 years old in 2023, but it is said that it will take another 100 years for the targeted cypress to grow.

Furthermore, the purpose of this tree-planting plan is not limited to producing lumber for the construction of the shrine.
During the Taisho era, Ise had a history of being hit by floods due to heavy rains, such as rivers overflowing and mountains collapsing.
For this reason, we aim to create a diverse and strong mountain by preserving not only cypresses but also other trees such as broad-leaved trees in the shrine forest.
Enriching the shrine forest means preserving the landscape, protecting rivers and water, and ultimately protecting people.

The pride of the people of Shinryō - Okihiki Gyoji

Photo provided by: Jingu Administration Office

When the cypress wood used to build the shrine arrives in Ise, it is transported to the sacred precincts in the Mikihiki ceremony.
The Mikibiki event is one of the few events related to ShikinenSengu ceremony where citizens can participate, and it is the most exciting folk event in Ise, held once every 20 years.
People who once lived within the territory of the shrine, but now live in IseCity, are called ``Shinryomin.'' In the olden days, Mikihiki was a service performed by the people of the Shinto region to transport materials for the construction of the shrine.
The Mikihiki, which was originally a duty, has now become a grand traditional event that we as Shinryo people are proud of.

Why ShikinenSengu is held once every 20 years

First of all, why is ShikinenSengu held only once every 20 years?
This includes the fact that 20 years is thought to be the appropriate period for passing on the techniques of shrine carpenters, and the theory that in ancient times, there was a law that stipulated that the storage period for rice used to pay for the Sengu was 20 years. Various reasons have been postulated, but one of them is the ``Sakutan Toji''.
The Sakutan winter solstice is an important turning point in the calendar when the winter solstice and new moon overlap once every 19 years and seven months. It is thought that this may have been the case.

Being conscious of the beginning through ShikinenSengu means remembering our original intentions and confirming that they have been passed down through the ages. This is an opportunity to realize the importance of continuing this work for generations to come.

1500 festivals at IseJingu

Photo provided by: Jingu Administration Office

In addition to ShikinenSengu, there are many other festivals at IseJingu that have been passed down in the ancient style.
Approximately 1,500 festivals are held each year, and those held at a fixed date and time each year are called ``annual festivals.''

The most important annual festival is the Kannamesai held in October.
According to mythology, rice, the staple food of the Japanese people, was given to them by Amaterasu-Omikami.
It is a festival centered on farming that gives thanks for the autumn harvest, and prays for a rich harvest, the security of the country, and the peace of the people. Various other festivals held throughout the year are also connected to this festival. It has been.

Daily Morning and Evening Omikesai

Among the festivals at the shrine, the Hibetsu Asayu Oomisensai is held twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
The Hibetsu Morning and Evening Oomisen Festival has continued for 1,500 years since Geku was enshrined. Morning and evening meals are offered to the deities of the Naiku, Geku, and Betsugu shrines, and prayers and gratitude are expressed for the peace of the country and peace of the people. It is a festival dedicated to

In the past, Naiku was located in the mountains and was inconvenient for daily festivals, so Geku was built in honor of Toyouke-no-Omikami, the deity responsible for meals. Since then, Oomisensai has been held every morning and evening without fail.

The meal offerings include steamed rice, dried bonito, fish, sea vegetables, vegetables, fruits, salt, water, and sake, and the food is prepared by the priests and brought to Mikeden after being purified with salt.
At the shrine, shrines such as Jingu Kanda and Jingu Gion are operated to ensure that these offerings are self-sufficient.

At Geku, you can see Shinto priests crossing the approach to the shrine for the festival.

April to September...Before 8 a.m./After 3 p.m.
October to March...Before 9:00 a.m./After 2:00 p.m.
*Times may vary

IseJingu has a history of 2,000 years, repeating ShikinenSengu and seasonal festivals.
The fact that this business has been passed down to this day, and that efforts are being made to pass it on to future generations in a better way, can be said to be a true indicator of what we now call "sustainability."