Kibitsu Shrine

The Kibitsu Shrine (Japanese吉 备 津 神社, Kibitsu -jinja ) is a Shinto shrine in the city of Okayama (in the area of the former district Kibitsu ), Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

It probably dates from the 5th century and is the Prince Kibitsuhiko - no-Mikoto (吉 备 津 彦 命) devoted, who had been sent by imperial Yamato to subdue the province of Kibi. As a material embodiment of the deity ( go- shintai ) is a wooden statue.

The main hall ( dogs ), which dates in its present form dating back to 1425, and the prayer hall ( haiden ) are the only here to findenen " Kibitsu - style " held ( Kibitsu - zukuri ,吉 备 津 造). Both are part of the national treasures of Japan.

In addition to a shrine called Ichido Tenjin -sha, Ame -no- Uzume, the iron ore - kami kana -yama - biko and seven other deities are worshiped ( Kami ).

Particularly festive occasions are in gilded shrine ritual rods ( Gohei ) is used, where the priest ( whose office is hereditary ) approaches with a white mask.

A special feature of the shrine is the ' Singing Kettle ' ( Kibitsu -no- ō - kama -san ) of iron, in which the two most important festivals of the shrine ( Taisai ) the food offering ( shinsen ) are prepared (75 different dishes ). His singing comes from the transformation of heat into vibrations in the interior; a phenomenon that is used in a Stirling engine for use, for example. It is involved in various ceremonies, so for oracle purposes. It is said that the boiler listen to sing when someone is present who should mourn.

On December 28th, the "soot - cleaning - hard " ( Susu harai -matsuri ) is committed. For this, the bottom of the shrine is swept with feathers of a mountain bird, and with flowers. A few days later, this ceremony is repeated across the country in a particularly traditional households in a smaller scale.

Main Hall ( dogs ) and prayer hall ( haiden )

Sansha -sha (三 社 宫)

Iwayama -no- miya (岩山 宫)

Ebisu -no- miya (えびす 社)

Sorei -sha (祖 霊 社)

Ichido -sha (一 童 社)

Statue of Inukai Tsuyoshi