Utaki
An Utaki ( Okinawan 御 嶽 ) is a religious site of the native religion of Okinawa . Other names are Kusatemui ( 腰 当 森 ), On and Ogamiyama ( 拝 み 山 ). The indigenous deities of the Ryūkyū Islands and ancestors are worshiped at these sites. A special feature of these sites is the "boy taboo", they are only allowed to enter certain areas.
In almost all of Okinawa's castles, the so-called Gusuku , there is also a Utaki, so it is said that these two are closely related.
List of major utaki
- Upu-gusuku-utaki ( 大城 御 嶽 ) in Miyakojima City
- Harimizu-utaki ( 漲 水 御 嶽 ), also in Miyakojima
- Tohaya-uganja ( 渡 波 屋 拝 所 ) in Nago
- Tsunoji-utaki ( ツ ノ ジ 御 嶽 ), Miyako-jima
- Misaki-on ( 美 崎 御 嶽 ), Ishigaki
- Sunuhyan-utaki ( 園 比 屋 武 御 嶽 ), Naha
- Ben-ga-dake ( 弁 ヶ 嶽 ), Naha
Web links
- Saitō Michiko: "Utaki" . In: Encyclopedia of Shinto. Kokugaku-in , November 11, 2006 (English)