Sarutahiko Shrine – GaijinPot Journey

When you first go to Sarutahiko Shrine in Mie Prefecture, you would possibly assume some native gang of youngsters has chosen the temple for his or her newest prank. The most important entrance is a gateway to a sub-shrine coated with colourful stickers and signatures, overlapping like the colours of a tabby cat. However, removed from graffiti, the defacements are designed to attraction to the enshrined deity, Ame-no-Uzume. 

Sarutahiko Shrine Mythology

Photo by: PIXTA/ bee

According to native legend, the world was plunged into darkness when the Sun goddess, Amaterasu, turned a recluse after a battle together with her storm god brother. The just one that would draw her out was Ame-no-Uzume with a wild comedic dance. As a outcome, her temples are deeply linked to arts and efficiency. Wannabe celebrities flock right here to stay the names of their companies and efficiency teams on the gate for good luck.

A Shrine for Artists

Photo by: PIXTA/ monjiro

Japanese myths typically painting Uzume and her husband, the shrine’s namesake, as good enhances. According to legend, Sarutahiko, the husband and god of the principle shrine, helps you select the fitting street, whereas Ame-no-Uzume, the spouse, helps you stroll it with vitality, pleasure and creativity—and presumably somewhat dance. Because artists all the time exist midway between cautious selection and full abandonment, each the personalities of the enshrined gods are essential to them. 

Fortune Stones

Photo by: PIXTA/ bee

After visiting the shrines, the subsequent place is the well-known houiseki (fortune stone). These marks are essential ideas in feng shui. The octagonal form represents all doable instructions {that a} resolution can go. 

It is widespread to the touch the symbols in particular orders relying on what you wish to acquire. If you wish to get higher prospects at work, contact the 亥, 卯 and 未 characters. Feeling the pinch in your pockets? Try 巳, 酉 and 丑. Want to grow to be extra standard? Then, 寅, 午 and 戌 are those. Then you must really feel your self drawn to a selected path. North is related to introspection; south with vitality; east with development and new beginnings; and west with completion and outcomes. The in-between instructions mark transitions corresponding to change, relationships or assist. 

If you’ll be able to’t perceive the sophisticated ritual, don’t fear. Being drawn to a path isn’t about selecting appropriately. Perhaps the mixture of life’s options and the way in which we navigate it explains the attraction of the temple and why entertainers flock right here for steering and to enhance their fortunes. Even for many who balk on the considered standing in entrance of a crowd, the identical rules of selecting a path and strolling it with highly effective intentions apply. 

Opening Hours: 8:30 A.M. to five P.M.
Entry: Free
Getting there: Most simply accessed by strolling from Ise Jingu

Walking distance from Isuzugawa station on the Kintetsu Line