Vermilion Serenity

A small, humble, Shinto eshrine by a Shinto sprout.

[calmujiko-deactivated20200710]

I worked on some drawings for Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and Inari.

I’m really happy with how they came out, so I hope they like them.

Sometimes, I forget I could give offerings other than food and drink, haha. Nice way to put my art skills to good use. QuQ

[shrinemaidens]

EAST ASIAN MYTHOLOGY MEME:

[2/8] JAPANESE GODS AND GODDESSES | TSUKUYOMI

Tsukuyomi or Tsukiyomi [月読], also known as Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto, is the moon god in Shinto and Japanese mythology. Unlike the myths of ancient Greece or Rome, the Japanese moon deity is male.

Tsukuyomi was the second of the “three noble children” born when Izanagi-no-Mikoto, the god who created the first land of Onogoro-shima, was cleansing himself of his sins while bathing after escaping the underworld and the clutches of his enraged dead wife, Izanami-no-Mikoto. Tsukuyomi was born when he washed out of Izanagi’s right eye. After climbing a celestial ladder, Tsukuyomi lived in the heavens, also known as Takamagahara, with his sister Amaterasu Ōmikami, the sun goddess.

Tsukuyomi angered Amaterasu when he killed Uke Mochi, the goddess of food. Amaterasu had sent Tsukuyomi to represent her at a feast presented by Uke Mochi. She’d made the food by turning to the ocean and spitting out a fish, then faced the forest and poured game from her mouth, and finally turned to a rice paddy and coughed up a bowl of rice. Tsukuyomi was utterly disgusted by the fact that, although the repast looked exquisite, the meal was made in a disgusting manner, and so he killed her. Soon, Amaterasu learned what had transpired; in her fury, she refused to ever look at Tsukuyomi again, forever moving to another part of the sky. This is the reason that day and night are never together.

[aurorepeuffier]

Monster girl challenge II : 23/30 kami… wich is more a godess than a monster no ? Well I choose Uzume, godess of joyfull

other monster girls : HERE

monster girl from the first challenge : HERE

[kamipriestess]

Uzume-sama!!!! <3

[sparrowdreams]

This is quite possibly the best depiction of Ame-no-uzume-no-mikoto I have ever seen. :)

[sparrowdreams]

Uzume-jinja, in Matsukawa, Nagano Prefecture, enshrines Ame no Uzume no Mikoto. Usually Uzume is enshrined together with Sarutahiko, but this is an apparently rare shrine that enshrines just her. Sarutahiko has a small, separate subsidiary shrine elsewhere on the grounds. (source)

[sparrowdreams]

Ame no Uzume

One of my favorite depictions of Ame no Uzume. As drawn by Katsushika Hokusai.

[onna-musha]

“Empress Jingu lands in Korea” (1879), Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)

It is said that empress Jingu went to conquer Korea while pregnant with her son, Ojin, who was latter deified as Hachiman, the shinto kami of war. 

[livingwithkami]

(I love this art! * Note, while Emperor Ojin is deified as Hachiman Okami-sama, so are other kami, “Hachiman” is kind of a title, like “Inari” is ) @sparrowdreams can explain in more detail )

[sparrowdreams]

So the thing to remember here is that “Hachiman” is more complicated than simply a name that means “eight banners.” Banners in this context can be a vessel for a kami, and “eight” is the same as in yaoyorozu-no-kami, which some interpret literally as “eight million kami,” but which is more properly rendered as “many.” Thus, to me, “Hachiman” is a title meaning “the spirit of many vessels."Hachiman is usually enshrined in threes– a trinity (like certain other well-known, western gods…). My home shrine, Kameoka Hachimangu, enshrines Ojin-tenno, Jingu-kogo, and Tamayorihime-no-mikoto. I worship this spirit as one deity– Kameoka Hachiman-okami-sama– but that’s simply my approach. Of the three, I think it’s her Tamayorihime-no-mikoto aspect to which I feel the closest, as well as to Jingu-kogo. You’ll often see what I call the "Ojin=Hachiman” interpretation of Hachiman-sama, but Hachiman-sama is more complicated than this. Bear in mind, the Hachiman faith originated in what’s now Korea (one of Hachiman-sama’s earliest oracles has them saying “I will become a god of Japan!”), its followers severely shook the imperial institution in Japan, and in order to coopt the faith and negate it as a threat, the court declared that Ojin=Hachiman.

But again. “Spirit of many vessels.” Hachiman-sama is more complicated than simple cut-and-dried definitions. And that’s just fine! Kami, like humans, are complicated beings.

[sparrowdreams]

Some Thoughts on Shinto as a non-Japanese Person

So last night I reblogged a query sent to askpagans about Japanese deities. My answer was short and to the point: no. No, it is not inherently appropriative to honor Japanese deities. There are Shinto shrines outside Japan, and there are non-Japanese clergy (e.g. Rev. Koichi Barrish). They work with the support and blessing of people in Japan. myoubu, who maintains a shrine to Inari, is another such person.

All of this being said, I believe those of us who revere Japanese deities ought to hold ourselves to a high standard. This may come off as a rant, but it isn’t. Think of it as a set of strongly worded ideas to which I hold myself, and which I offer as suggestions to you folks out there in reader-land. Some of you might see these as common sense, or going without saying– but I think these things need to be said.

So, what is this high standard?

Keep reading

[sparrowdreams]

Rerunning this again, because it remains relevant. The points I make, summarized, are:

Don’t treat Shinto like an accessory or use it for “cool points.”

Assuming you are not already Japanese or of Japanese descent, remember that Shinto or any other Japanese religion will not make you Japanese.

Listen to Japanese Shintoists.

Educate yourself in the religion, as well as in Japanese language and history.

Although your individual circumstances may make it difficult to do certain things exactly (e.g. availability of the pieces of a proper kamidana), try not to play fast and loose with how Shinto works. Be as good as you can in both learning how it works and in honoring what it requires of you.

I am a queer, non-Japanese woman of color who formerly lived in Japan, speaks Japanese, and is currently close to completing her second advanced degree (a Ph.D.) in Japanese history. I am by no means perfect, but as a non-Japanese Shintoist far away from the nearest shrine, I am trying to do my best with what I have. And while I believe that popular culture has its place, I also remain dedicated to helping educate people in Shinto and Japanese history, by translation and by original research often available nowhere else, in the interest of fighting misinformation and exoticization, as well as helping inculcate a greater awareness of the real place and real people and real shrines and real practices.

If my efforts have helped even a few people gain a better, more realistic, more well-grounded understanding of Japan and of Shinto, then I consider that objective achieved– and I will continue as long as I am able.

[zandraart]

wishing tree

[sparrowdreams]

Modern Kami

Amaterasu wears a perfectly tailored suit, she strides with purpose through the National Diet Building among petty men with petty hearts who never seem to learn, but who will listen to her when it is their time. Susanoo wanders the hills and valleys, in farming communities and fishing villages dying a slow and decades-long death it’s not the same, riding a tractor or a trawler, but the hills and valleys and coasts endure, and he loves them still. Hachiman listens to the politicians, with their glib saber-rattling, their empty platitudes, their embrace of war and fascism, and quietly cleans her weapons: they call her Hachiman of the Bow and Arrow, but her assault rifle speaks of changed times. When calamity befalls the nation, she will be there to protect the people the politicians betray, just as she always has. Ame no Uzume models the latest fashions, her makeup is always on point. She whispers encouragement in the ears of the college kids who frown at their reflections, of the lovers who worry if they’re good enough, of trans women who wonder if they’ll ever win the battle and reclaim their femininity, and at night, she sits in the audience watching rakugo and stand-up comedy, only to rise anew with the glorious Pacific dawn. Tsukuyomi no mikoto is handsome and mysterious, he cuts a dashing figure, striding across Karasuma-dori at night. He’s radiant, but not like his sister: his is a quiet radiance, solemn and sudden– a piercing wave of “Oh.” Inari blogs about restaurants; she gives hints and positive support to new restauranteurs, and pats exhausted line cooks on the back. “Well done,” she says, to the kid who cooked his first okonomiyaki. “Keep it up,” she says, to the people running a local soup kitchen. They’re doing her work. The gods wander our streets and whisper in our ears, as they watch us in our busy lives, and as ever, though so much is changing: they remain.

[eastiseverywhere]

Shinto Week!

Hokusai Ame no Uzume Japan (1816) [Source]

Ame-no-Uzume [Source]

Totoya Hokkei Ame no Uzume Japan (1820) [Source]

Kawanabe Kyosai Otafuku, the Goddess of Mirth (Uzume), Holding a Baby Crane Japan (1875) [Source]

Ame-no-Uzume [Source]

Odake Kokkan The Enticement of Amaterasu by Ama no Uzume, Japan (20th century) [Source]

Here’s one last deity from the Shinto creation cycle: Ame-no-Uzume-no-mikoto / 天宇受売命 / 天鈿女命, or Uzume or for short. Her name means “heavenly alarming female”, and she’s the goddess of dawn, mirth and revelry.

We’ve mentioned her before, in the story of how Amaterasu fled to a cave, depriving the world of sunlight. But let’s tell the tale from her point of view:

All the Heavenly Kami worked together to bring about the return of the source of light. The ancient texts deal with the actions, objects and potentialities assembled in great detail: jewels and a sacred mirror and a Hinoki palace were among the things made.

All the myriads of Kami assembled and it was then that Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto kindled many sacred bonfires, wrapped heavenly club moss around her as the Obi/sash, made the Kazura/head dress from the spindle tree, made the Sasa-ba/bamboo grass leaves into a bouquet, took into her hand a Hoko/spear wreathed in eulalia grass and danced the 1st archetypal Kagura on a sounding board (overturned wash tub) outside the door of the rock dwelling. 

The statue of Ame-no-Uzume at Amanoiwato-jinja Japan [Source]

During the performance of this dance she also invented the flute and koto. As she danced she made the divinely inspired utterance Kamu Gakari, recited the HI-FU-MI Norito and pulled her clothes open to expose her private parts… This divine dance made all the assembled Kami so happy they laughed, shouted and made “life sounds” as well as songs of praise.

Versions I’ve read say that Amaterasu got curious about the laughter and had to emerge from her cave. (I’ve always wondered if there was an element of queer eroticism to this.)

Yoshitoshi Tsuikioka Amaterasu Omikami appearing from the cave Japan (1876-1882) [Source]

Wikipedia says:

… she saw her glorious reflection in a mirror which Uzume had placed on a tree, and slowly emerged from her hiding spot.

At that moment, the god Ame-no-Tajikarawo-no-mikoto dashed forth and closed the cave behind her, refusing to budge so that she could no longer retreat. Another god tied a magic shimenawa across the entrance. The deities Ame-no-Koyane-no-mikoto and Ame-no-Futodama-no-mikoto then asked Amaterasu to rejoin the divine. She agreed, and light was restored to the earth.

I really like this story. Not just because it’s a story that celebrates female sensuality rather than prudery. But also because it’s all about an artist saving the world. In a time of crisis, what do you do? You dance, you sing, you make people laugh. Maybe, just maybe, that’ll make the sun come out again.

Amaterasu Emerges from the Cave [Source]

Today, Uzume is still worshipped as a kami, and revered for inventing kagura dance, which is hella influential:

Originally called kamukura or kamikura (神座), kagura began as sacred dances performed at the Imperial court by shrine maidens (miko) who were supposedly descendants of Ame-no-Uzume. Over time, however, these mikagura (御神楽), performed within the sacred and private precincts of the Imperial courts, inspired popular ritual dances, called satokagura (里神楽), which, being popular forms, practiced in villages all around the country, were adapted into various other folk traditions and developed into a number of different forms…

Kagura, in particular those forms that involve storytelling or reenactment of fables, is also one of the primary influences on the Noh theatre.

Uzume herself lives on in the kagura stock character of the okame, the woman who revels in her sensuality:

Okame mask for kagura performance Japan [Source]

Kagura dance of Iwato: Uzume [Source]

What a nice mask to wear. Let’s join her in her revels.

[livingwithkami]

Hi! You've done a few Asks in the past where you listed names , attributes , and such to different Kami. Could you possibly do the same for Ame-No-Uzume-No-Mikoto?

Hi there! Sure thing! I’d be happy to :) Titles (From greatest to least formal):Ame no Uzume no Mikoto-samaAme no Uzume no MikotoAme no Uzume-samaAme no UzumeUzume-sama*Okame-san*Okame* (very informal, but friendly)*Best to use these only in private conversation, or when referring to the Okame mask or other products

Name when she is enshrined as an Inari Kami:Ōmiyanome-no-ōkamiSymbols/Attributes: Revelry, Happiness, Dawn, Marriage, Joy, Power, Femininity, Feminine Power, Sexuality, Sensuality, Mirth, Spiritual practices, Shamanistic practices/Spirit work, Ritual possession, Body Image, Matchmaking, Couples counseling/resolution, Music, Dance, Instruments (especially bells), Kagura Sacred Dance (known as the originator), Child rearing, Child raising, Restoring happiness, alleviating sadness/depression, finding strength in positivity.Items: Kagura suzu (Kagura, Sacred Dance, bells), Bells in general, Miko clothing, Okame mask, Tsubaki (Camilla) flowers, Beauty products, Makeup, Mirrors, Magatama Jewels, jewelry

Colors: Green, Red, Yellow, White, Purple, GoldAnimals: The spirit Lion from Shishimai (Lion Dance) (http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=1019), Komainu, Roosters, ChickensScents: Hinoki, Plants, Natural smells

[midareta-kami-no-michi]

I asked @livingwithkami about a question that I always have whenever facing a new religion: Why does evil exist and how/why does the deity (deities) allow it to happen? So naturally, given my journey into Konko, I had to ask the question. 

Here’s what Olivia of livingwithkami replied with:

Keep reading

[shintosprout]

Konko is just so beautiful.

[livingwithkami]

hi rev. olivia, i was wondering what the colored strands on the bells mean (the ones u talked about in a post)

The Silk Ribbons: Purple, White, Red, Yellow, and GreenThey are the Five Sacred Colours in Shinto. You will see these colours appear many times in sacred items in Shinto and other Japanese spiritual practices. They represent:The Five Aspects of the SoulThe Five DirectionsIn other words, it symbolically represents that the power of these Kagura suzu touches all aspects of our soul, and resounds throughout the Universe.But - which color and meaning is which?Purple: North Direction. It corresponds to Aramitama, the rough or violent, aggressive aspect of our souls.White: West Direction. It corresponds to the Nigimitama, the kind, gentle, goodness of our souls.Red: South Direction. It corresponds to the Sachimitama, one of the two  aspects of the soul that gives blessings. (the other is Kushimitama)Yellow: Solar Center (think of solar system). Origin of Life. It corresponds to the core, our soul in and of itself. Green: East Direction. It corresponds to Kushimitama,  one of the two aspects of the soul that gives blessings. (the other is Sachimitama)

[superhiki]

Some of the concept work I’ve been doing recently in the hopes of landing the concept art job at a local studio, hahah. Beefing up my portfolio. 

[livingwithkami]

Hello, could you maybe please listen some associations and symbols of Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Tenjin? Also, what would their correct suffixes be? Thank you! :)

Amaterasu Omikami-samaSymbols/Attributes: Cosmos, Space, Heavens, Sky, Sun, Spiritual, Times of day/changing color of sky (Dawn, Morning, Afternoon, Dusk, Twilight, Night..etc)Items: Sword, Mirror, Jewel. (Less commonly: Cedar folding fan, Bow and Arrow)Colors: Red, White, Purple, Green, YellowAnimals: Roosters, Horses, White Snakes, DragonsScents: HinokiTsukuyomi no Mikoto-samaSymbols/Attributes: Moon, Night, Starry skies, Gentle waters (Rivers, Ponds), Blood (flow of blood, menstruation)Items: Bow and Arrow, Flute (Ryuteki), Writing brushColors: White, Blues, Black, Grey, Soft yellowAnimals: White horse (in an Ise folk tale, he rides a white horse from Geku (Outer Shrine) to Naiku (Inner shrine) each night), rabbits Scents: HinokiTenjin-sama, Tenjin no Kami-sama

Symbols/Attributes: Scholarly, Studies, Libraries, Scrolls, Writing, Poetry, Storytelling, Plum Blossoms, (he loved the plum tree and flowers) Thunder and Lightning, Healing illness (based on his death as Sugiwara no Michizane and then subsequent enshrinement as Kami)

Items: Writing brush, scrolls, books, papers, Plum blossoms

Animals: The Ox (The Ox is seen as his companion, and at many of his shrines there is a statue of his Ox, the story goes….“Legends say that the ox-cart carrying his body back to Kyoto stopped at Tsukushi (in what is today Hakata) and refused to move further; this was taken as a sign that he wished to be buried there, and so Sugawara no Michizane was buried at Tsukushi.“Scents: Plum, Plum blossoms, Hinoki

[todayintokyo]

Early autumn in Yanaka, Tokyo