Ujigami

An is a guardian kami of a particular place in the Shinto religion of Japan. The ujigami are prayed to for a number of reasons, including protection from sickness, success in endeavors, and good harvests.

History

While the exact origin of is uncertain, the term is believed to have first appear in the eighth century. Some believe have their origins in the worship of ancestral kami who returned to the homes of their descendents to watch over them. In its current form, the term ' is used to describe several other types of Shinto deities. Originally, the term ' referred to a family or clan god. It is believed that, at first, these deities were worshiped at temporary altars.

While a child’s is not always their , it has become common since the distinction between ' and ' has disappeared for miyamairi to also refer to '. Because of this, shrines often issue to children at their ' which acts as proof that they are ' of that shrine. At the same time, as worship of ' has declined over the generations, it is common among families who are not actively engaged in shrine activities or ' worship to not think of themselves as '.

It is also common for the spouse who has newly entered their partner’s family to attend an ' in order to become an ' of the same ' as their new family. As the population of those engaged in shrine activities grows older and declines, fewer ' also engage in these activities and what had been an '’s duty in terms of supporting the shrine and worshipping the ' have become nothing more than superficial rituals which often extend no further than the home in the act of placing or ' charms in their kamidana.

Ujigami shrine

An is a shrine dedicated to an . While their are generally from the local region, some ' shrines attempt to gather from further afield through the creation of unique aspects of worship at the shrine, such as pilgrimages or collaboration with corporations for their matsuri.

History

Ujigami shrine

See also

References

Bibliography

Further reading