Pacific Magazine > Magazine > January 1, 2008

Japan Tourism

Sacred Ground

Ise Has Been A Place Of Worship For 2,000 Years

By Moffat G. Mamu, Solomon Star

Traditionally designed buildings are scattered through the Grand Shrines at Ise. PHOTO: Pacific Magazine

ISE, Japan—For centuries, Japanese have been close to nature. In their culture, they have many nature-related gods that they worship. Be it food, animal, birds, trees or the wind, Japanese have traditionally maintained a strong belief in these gods.

Tosio Ohnishi, a volunteer guide at the most important Shinto shrine in Japan, says that continuing belief each year brings millions of Japanese (and curious foreigners) to the Grand Ise Shrines.

Established 2,000 years ago, the Grand Shrines is considered by Japanese to be the most honored and holy place to worship the gods.

Two main shrines (naiku and geku) along with some 121 lesser shrines have been erected on the grounds of the Grand Ise Shrines. Some take the form of beautiful wooden buildings with ornate roofs and intricately detailed elements. Others are rocks, individual trees and also stretches of forest in which Kami, a powerful being, was said to have lived, says another Ise volunteer guide, Tetsuya Ito.

“The shrines and sanctuaries is the home to Kami which usually consist of a buildings and rocks surrounded by a grove of trees,” Ito said.

Some 150 festivals are being held each year at both major shrines, and they attract more than six million pilgrims and worshippers each year.

Visitors will be amazed by the respect, honor and belief that Japanese show at these shrines. It is a stark comparison to how Pacific Islanders manage their worship practices and places.

Surrounded by untouched forests, the sacred ground of the Ise Shrines has the mountains and hills at its back with rivers running through it. It provides a worship site and an attraction for foreigners, who can appreciate the Japanese way of worshipping.

Beneath the thick forests are perfectly constructed roads to most sanctuaries and shrines, which allow Japanese to feel as if they are in tune with nature while on the sacred ground.

Japanese have been worshipping at the Grand Ise Shrines site for more than 2,000 years, said Ohnishi, the volunteer guide.

“Every day, thousands of people both local and overseas flocked both shrines, most to worship and offer offerings. Others like tourists come to see the wonders and set up of this sacred worship ground,” he said.

Outside the main gate before entering and worshiping at the main sanctuary everyone must go through a purification process.

“Before entering you must purify your body and mind by washing both hands and rinsing your mouth with the waters of the sacred Isuzu river,” Ohnishi said. According to the rituals they believe one’s pure mind and body given by the Kami must be cleansed so as to return to a state of purity.

Interestingly, while worshippers have been coming to this site for more than 2,000 years, the actual wooden shrines are replaced and replicated every 20 years. They are rebuilt at a site next to the existing shrine.

According to both guides, by 2013, new major shrines will be built using the logs from the forests, and many of the wood panels and poles from the current shrines. Offerings made each day help to pay for the huge costs involved, upwards of the equivalent of US$5 million. At the reconstruction of the shrines and sanctuaries, sacred apparel and treasures will also be replaced.

“By relocating and rebuilding of the new sanctuaries and shrines every 20 years, the Japanese people renew blessings from the Kami and pray for peace in the world,” Ito said.

Ohnishi said Japanese people have strong faith in their gods. “What this country has achieved so far is a success story of having strong faith and belief and it’s paying off,” he said.