2025.04.09

The abyss of connection between Izuyama Shrine and Hatsushima as seen in the secret of Mt. Suriyu

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Izuyama Shrine was dedicated by Minamoto Yoritomo as the guardian deity of the great shogun Seiyi, and was deeply revered by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The key to unraveling its eternal history and mysterious origins is the secret book "Sousan Hiketsue Maki". This picture scroll was written in the Kamakura period in the Kamakura period when Izuyama Shrine was once a major sacred place for Shinto and Buddhist practice as "Hashiri Yugongen", and it has been considered a secret that only generations of priests are allowed to view it.

Article Contents

Myths, History, and Messages for the Future
- "Hatsukimaki": The Beginning of Mythology and the Appearance of Princess Hatsuki

Myths, History, and Messages for the Future

In order to pass on this secret book to the people widely, on September 19, 2013, Mika Abe, a researcher of Japanese literature, wrote the lyrics, calligrapher Chitose Okamura wrote the lyrics, potter and painter Yoshiraku Nakamura was in charge of the paintings, and Keiko Horiguchi of Hatsuki Shrine Negi dedicated the thoughts of the people involved in the creation of the scroll to the gods as prayers. The picture scrolls, which were reconstructed with easy-to-understand text and pictures, were reborn as a large-scale work that spanned about 30 meters in all four volumes, and were revived in the present day.

"The Secret of Mt. Suriyu" revolves around the story of Princess Hatsuki (Hatsukihime) of Hatsushima, who visits the land of the gods of Mt. Izu and receives precious teachings there. In particular, the deep love and wisdom contained in the name of the god Masaya Akatsu Haya Hioshi Homimi gives the reader a great impression and revelation.

One of the most important of these picture scrolls is the Hatsukimaki. The following is a detailed analysis of the contents of "Hatsukimaki" based on the text reprinted from the official website of Izuyama Shrine, and unravels the abystic connection between Izuyama Shrine and Hatsushima contained in it.

"Hatsukimaki": The Beginning of Mythology and the Appearance of Princess Hatsuki

The story goes back to the reign of Emperor Takaaki, the fifth generation counting from Emperor Jimmu, the beginning of the human world. From the depths of the blue sea, a priestess appears on a shining jade palanquin. Her name is Hatsuki. She builds a small island in the sea and sets up a palace. People named the island Hatsukijima, and before long, it came to be called Hatsushima.

On the other hand, the ancient Mt. Izu was called Mt. Kujirayama as a sacred mountain where the gods lived, and was deeply revered by the people. It is said that Princess Hatsuki rode a water buffalo from Hatsushima and went to Mt. Kujira almost every month, walking around the mountains, and looking at the scenery of Hatsushima with white waves crashing against it.

This description suggests that Hatsushima and Mt. Izu have had a close relationship since ancient times. The depiction of Princess Hatsuki riding a water buffalo to Mt. Izu may suggest that there was a sea route connecting the two and that there was a lot of exchange. In addition, the fact that Princess Hatsuki has been making pilgrimages to the sacred site since the time when Mt. Izu was called Mt. Kujira shows that Hatsushima was an extremely important place in telling the origin of Izuyama Shrine.

The discovery of the hot spring and the revelation of the Gekko Doko

Years pass, and one day, Princess Hatsuki heads to the summit of Mt. Kujira as usual. There, she discovers a spring of hot water gushing out from the foothills. The spring is clear and clear, and the warmth of the water is pleasant. At the bottom of the spring, a golden turtle shone brightly with a divine moon ring on its back.

Then a faint voice is heard, and a beautiful child emerges from the circle of the moon. Princess Hatsuki asks the child in awe. "The ring of the moon that shines at the bottom of the water seems to be a noble God. Who are you who have emerged from that light?"

This scene is one of the most important scenes in "The Secret of Mt. Ranyu". The hot spring discovered by Princess Hatsuki is the place of origin of the later Izuyama Shrine, and the appearance of Gekko Doko heralds the beginning of the oracle. Gekko Doko says that Princess Hatsuki is "a proud priestess with an ancient priestess lineage" and that she has inherited "the power of Mother God to nurture all things." This phrase suggests that Princess Hatsuki is not just a priestess, but a being with divine powers.

Doko answers. "Hatsuki, a proud priestess of ancient priestess's bloodline. You have inherited the power of God the Mother, who nurtures all things. With his great power, the God of destiny whom you should worship is none other than the God of this moon wheel. My name is Gekko Doko. He has appeared to tell you the name of the god of the moon ring and its secret origin. Listen with all your heart."

Genealogy of the Gods and the Origin of the Shoyago Victory and Swift Hiten Ninja Ho Ear

Gekko Doko begins to speak. "A long time ago, the two gods who created this country, Izanagi and Izanami, gave birth to one goddess and three male gods. They are the Sun God, the Moon God, the Hiruko, and the Sogi Naruson. Because of her radiant beauty, the Sun God was revered as Amaterasu. The moon god was praised as Shoyago and the Swift Sun Heavenly Ninja Ho Ear Venerable. It's my father. My mother's name is Chisahime Kusuhata. Eventually, Amaterasu became the ruler of this country, and my father, Tennin Homison, became the lord in charge of the affairs of the country. The spring of hot water is my Father's house of nobility, and the moon is my venerable heart."

In this passage, important gods in Japan mythology appear. Amaterasu is revered as the sun god and the ancestor of the imperial family of Japan, and Shoyago Katsu Haya Hiten Ninho is enshrined as the moon god and the main deity of Izuyama Shrine. Gekko Doko reveals that she is the son of Shoyago Katsu Haya Hiten Shinobi Ho Mi Son, and says that the Yunosen is the house of the Venerable and the Moon is the heart of the Venerable.

The meaning of the spring of hot water and the symbolism of the mirror of the moon

Princess Hatsuki asks Doko. "Why does he dwell in the fountain of hot water, and why did his heart appear as a mirror of the moon?"

Gekko Doko replied solemnly. "There's a deep reason for that. Hundreds of years from now, people in the last world will be caught up in foolish selfishness and will fight each other like water and fire. At that time, he dwells in the spring of hot water, hoping that he will be able to restore his warm and harmonious heart, like water and fire combined. It is the same thing that the heart of the venerable is a mirror of the moon. Those who forget their honest feelings and are dominated by distorted thoughts will close their hearts like the inhabitants of the world of darkness. Therefore, the Venerable becomes the moon, illuminating and guiding the darkness of man's heart. The phases of the moon are a reminder that the world is always changing. In the first place, water is the spirit of the moon, and fire is the spirit of the sun. Because he is the moon god, he has the power to control water. Therefore, with the help of Amaterasu, the sun god, the water is heated and turned into hot water. All things in this world are born when two things meet."

In this part, the meaning symbolized by the fountain of hot water and the mirror of the moon is revealed. The hot spring represents the harmony of the contradictory elements of water and fire, symbolizing the harmony of people's hearts. The mirror of the moon has the power to illuminate the darkness of people's hearts and restore their honest feelings. Gekko Doko explains the laws of the universe that all things are born when two elements, such as water and fire, and yin and yang, are combined.

The Role of the Moonlight Child and the Meaning of God's Name

Gekko Doko smiled gently and continued to speak. "I can change my appearance and name at will, so that I appear before the people, sometimes in mercy, and in the government of the Lord. He is always in the mountains of Putuo Luo in the South Sea, but he sometimes takes care of the venerable in his absence."

When Princess Hatsuki respected and worshipped Gekko Doko, Doko preached with sincere sincerity. "There is a profound secret in the name of Shoyago Katsu Hatsu Hiten Shinobi Ho Ear Son. Shoya is a noble rule that always puts right and honesty first. Gokatsu shows that an honest and undistorted mind is the strength to overcome anything and not retreat. The phrase "Victory Speed" is a phrase that compares the power of the noble to overcome evil things with an honest heart to the momentum of the rising sun that quickly dispels the darkness of a long, dark night. Tennin is a tribute to the way he abandons the pleasures of the high heavens and endures in the lower world in order to save people. And so the ears. The best news that pleases the ears of the venerable is that a person with an evil heart will realize his mistake and regain his honest heart. Let the joy of nobility enrich the country, let the people prosper, and let the ears of rice bear fruit. Therefore they are revered as ears."

This part can be said to be the climax of "The Secret of Mt. Ranyu". Gekko Doko explains the deep meaning behind the name of the god Shoyago Katsu Hatsu Hiten Shinobi Ho Mison, and explains the importance of an honest heart. This name expresses the joy of the noble who desires to always be righteous and honest, to have the power to overcome evil things, to endure hardships in order to save people, and to make people's hearts pure.

Entrustment to Princess Hatsuki and message for the future

When he had finished explaining the origin of the name of the hidden god, Gekko Doko took the hand of Princess Hatsuki and said: "I have a request for you, and only you can do it. Someday, they will have two children. From the amber of the cedars, warmed by the light of the sun and moon, a girl and a boy are born. I want them to be raised."

It was also the wish of the father god: Tennin Homi Son and the mother god: Kusahata Chisahime. (* It is a shrine deity of Izuyama Shrine.) ）

In this final scene, Gekko Doko entrusts Princess Hatsuki with the upbringing of her two children who will be born in the future. These two children are the main deities of Izuyama Shrine, Tennin Homizon and Kusahata Chirahime, and Princess Hatsuki will play an important role in raising them.

"The Secret of Mt. Suriyu" talks about the eternal bond between Izuyama Shrine and Hatsushima

The "Secret of Mt. Suriyu" shows that Hatsushima is an indispensable place in telling the origin and history of Izuyama Shrine. Princess Hatsuki is depicted not just as a legendary figure, but as a priestess with divine powers, as a central figure in the worship of Izuyama Shrine. Hatsushima is thought to have been deeply involved in the establishment of Izuyama Shrine as a stage for mythology, as a sacred place, and as a place of interaction with the gods.

"The Secret of Mt. Suriyu" is not only a story of the past, but also conveys an important message to us living in the present day. It is the importance of having an open mind, valuing harmony, and having the courage to face difficulties. This picture scroll symbolizes the eternal bond between Izuyama Shrine and Hatsushima, and is a valuable heritage that should be passed down to the future.

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