Leaving the hustle and bustle of Atami, we headed to Hatsushima in search of the source of a distant myth. Princess Hatsuki who appears in the "Secret of Mt. Ranyu" mentioned in the previous article (Atami / Ryujin Travelogue ~ The City That Lives with the Dragon God ~ (5)). The Hatsuki Shrine dedicated to her is the destination of this trip.
Board a liner from Atami Port. When I look at the calm surface of the sea, the existence of underwater ruins sleeping in Atami crosses my mind. It is said that in ancient times, active volcanic activity submerged the foot of the Izuyama Shrine and part of Monzen Town. For scuba diving enthusiasts, it's a romantic place to explore.
A pilgrimage to the Holy Land interwoven with myth and history
(Scenery of Atami seen from the running bath)
However, there are not many extant materials that tell the history of Atami and the Mt. Izu area. This is because during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attack on Odawara, Izu Daigongen, who sided with the Hojo family, was burned to the ground, and valuable records were lost. The Hatsuki Shrine, as well as the ancient documents and family trees handed down on the island, were once dedicated to the Izuyama Shrine and centrally managed, so they suffered a similar fate.
In ancient times, the gods of Mt. Fuji and Hakone were also equated with the gods of Izu. This fact suggests that the power of Izu Ōkami was widespread. This may be the reason why he is called the god of good luck.
The ship moves forward, and eventually Hatsushima appears. Located off the coast of the Izu Peninsula and 10 km southeast of Atami City, this small island is only 4 km in circumference and has a population of 250. It takes about 30 minutes from Atami Port.
Hatsushima is said to have been born 20,000 years ago when the seabed was uplifted. Due to its proximity to the mainland and easy to cross, there are traces of human habitation since ancient times, and many earthenware and stone tools from the Jomon period have been found on the island. As many as seven Jomon ruins have been identified.
As a remote island that can be easily visited, Hatsushima has always attracted many people. Around 250,000 to 300,000 tourists visit the small island every year.
(The bustle of Hatsushima Port)
The Miyake Chronicle, which is considered to be one of the auspicious events of temples and shrines, contains interesting descriptions of the gods of the former Izu Province region. (* The original copy of the Miyake Chronicle is said to have been completed at the end of the Kamakura period.) ）
According to the Miyake Chronicle, a prince born in Tianzhu (India) was accused of an innocent crime and exiled, crossed over to China and Goryeo and arrived in Japan in the first year of the eighth Emperor Koyasu. When he sought a safe haven from the god he met at the summit of Mt. Fuji, he was given a place in the southern part of the summit of Mt. Fuji.
However, the land is small, and the prince decides to carry out "island burning" (island building). In the 21st year of the eighth Emperor Koyasu, he burned the island for 7 days and 7 nights with many dragon gods and thunder gods, creating 10 islands. And it is said that they placed an empress on each island, and they gave birth to children.
Of these 10 islands, the first "first island" to be created is the origin of the name Hatsushima.
* Mishima God is a deity enshrined in the Toga Shrine on Miyakejima, and the Mishima Taisha Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture is enshrined from this Toga Shrine.
When we arrived at Hatsushima, the first place we headed to was the Hatsuki Shrine.
Hatsushima's "This is a visiting party! ”
Hatsuki Shrine
The deities of the festival are the following three pillar gods.
Otsumi Mikoto
Toyotamahime Mikoto
Hatsukihime Mikoto
In addition to the life of Princess Hatsuki, two other gods are enshrined. Ōtsumi Mikoto is a deity enshrined as the main deity of many Mishima shrines, written as Ōyama Tsumi God in the Kojiki and Ōyama Gijin in the Japan Shoki.
Toyotamahime Mikoto was the daughter of the sea god (Watatsumi) and the grandmother of Emperor Jimmu. He is a god enshrined in many shrines.
In addition, under the shrine of Hatsuki Shrine, the ruins of Iwakura, an ancient place of prayer, lie dormant. Therefore, it is said to have the benefits of maritime and traffic safety, protection from water accidents, and good marriage and marriage.
Hatsuki Shrine will be described in more detail later.
Ryu Jingu
Not far from Hatsuki Shrine on foot is the Dragon Shrine.
It is said that a spirit sword that appeared from the sea was enshrined, and it is still worshipped by the islanders as a god of prayer for great fishing.
A long time ago, when the fishermen were lamenting that there was no fishing, a sword appeared from the sea. Since then, legend has it that the island has been blessed with abundant fishing.
In order to pray for a great catch, the festival of the Dragon Shrine is held on April 3 every year, and fish caught in the sea are offered. Every year on this day, the islanders take a break from fishing, and in order to give thanks to the spirit sword, they wrap a large fishing bowl and drink under the cherry blossoms.
Both spots are located just a short walk from the boat, so be sure to visit them. Although it is a small remote island, it is a place where you can feel the ancient history.
Hatsuki Shrine – A Sanctuary of Light Wrapped in Love
According to the "Secret of Mt. Suriyu", the priestess Hatsuki, who appeared from the lush seabed on a shining jade palanquin, rode a water buffalo from Hatsushima and traveled to Mt. Kujira every month to visit the mountains and look at Hatsushima.
She became a nanny and raised two children, Nissei and Tsukisei, who eventually became the ancestors of Izu Daigongen.
It is because of Princess Hatsuki that it can be said that the current Izu Daigongen (Izuyama Shrine) exists.
The power of the Hatsuki Shrine, where Princess Hatsuki is enshrined, is truly exceptional. They are gentle and tolerant, and you will be enveloped in a sense of happiness after visiting the temple.
When you visit Izuyama Shrine, be sure to visit the Hatsuki Shrine, which enshrines Princess Hatsuki, the ancestor of Izu Daigongen, and feel the energy that overflows from the small shrine.
(Details will be announced in the first issue of the newsletter on October 7.) ）
"The Secret of Mt. Ranyu"
The story of Princess Hatsuki's ascension to the divine realm is recorded at the end of "The Secret of Mt. Ranyu".
(Superb view of Hatsushima Island seen from the running bath)
The following is a part of the "Advent Scroll" reprinted from the official website of Izuyama Shrine.
"The road went on and on. As I walked along, I came to a hollow but small square. The ground is covered with golden sand. The trees and flowers are all made of precious stones, gold and silver, and are full of noble incense. All the people around were emitting a golden glow.
When you enter the palace, you will be greeted by a lotus throne made of jasper, and a noble one with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes will shine with a crown encrusted with precious stones. In the ear of the first tree, it is a bodhisattva with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. It is the true name of the father god Tennin Homison.
I heard the voice of Gekko Doko whispering. When Hatsuki bowed with all his heart, he heard a strange voice. The sound of his voice enriched the hearts of those who listened to it and gave them a sense of peace. Hatsuki naturally listened to the infinite teachings. Now, Hatsuki and the others, who began to walk again with Gekko Doko as their guide, found themselves standing outside the rock house on Mt. Kujira.
In the night sky, which has begun to turn white, the Big Dipper is shining again. The journey through the kingdom of the gods, where the Tsukigami Shoyago Katsuhatsu Hiten-nin-ho-Mi dwells, has come to an end. It was the reign of the 16th Emperor Ojin. A mirror of the moon appeared on the beach of Oiso, and it flew to the peak of the sun.
It is the advent of the Izuyama Sashiyu Daigongen, who is made to be the Tsukigami Shoyago Katsu Hatsu Hiten Shinobi Ho Ear Son. At this time, the first people to welcome Gongen and enshrine him were Matsubara no Sei, the founder of Miyama, and Nissei and Tsukisei, who grew up and became clan members.
From the vermilion shrine on Mt. Izu, Hatsushima, where Princess Hatsuki rests, looks beautiful. Every time they worship Hatsushima in the morning sun, Nissei and Tsukisei are reminded of the time when Princess Hatsuki was led by Gekko Doko and returned to the world of the gods beyond the light. That morning, Hatsuki invited the Sun Spirit and the Moon Spirit to tell them.
Listen carefully, my dear children. I am about to enter the world of God. Become a man, remain here, and become the ancestors of the clan who worship the god of Mt. Izu. And we must always serve God and act as a mediator between God and man. Mighty man cannot see God's way of life or hear His teachings. Now is the time for me to tell you the name and origin of the hidden God.
And let us tell you the truth of God and Buddha and the noble teachings. You will choose one child from among your children who has excellent qualities to worship God, and you will pass it on to the oral tradition. Speaking God's truth can be scary. Do not speak lightly to others.
However, so that people do not forget the God who protects the land of Izu, your children and grandchildren who serve God will pass it down from generation to generation. In this way, the secret origin of Izuyama Gongen and the divine story of the birth of the clan members were passed down from generation to generation by one of the chief clan members, and became the lyrics that are passed down to the present day, called the secret of Mt. Suriyu."
Atami / Ryujin Travelogue ~ The city that lives with the dragon god series ends with the words of Princess Hatsuki.
Atami, a city that lives with the dragon god.
Atami was not only a "hot spring" area, but also a place where you could feel the energy of magma called the dragon vein and receive its benefits.
The benefits are invisible, but thanks to them, the dirt that has settled on my mind and body has been removed, and I have returned to a clean and healthy state, and I feel as if I have been able to wash my life.
He also realizes the importance of moving, and that living with blood and mind without stagnation will bring luck and lead to prosperity.
It was a journey in which I felt that both humans and the earth were kept alive by the energy of this great pulsation.
Thank you very much for reading to the end.
I hope that tomorrow will be better for everyone who visits.
Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965
Since childhood, he has been plagued by troubles, illnesses, and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena. However, one day at the age of 20, he participated in an event, had a strange experience at the venue, and received a lightning energy from heaven that seemed to pierce his brain and his spinal cord, and his psychic abilities blossomed. After that, he started researching psychology and psychic powers, and now he has combined psychic abilities and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics Exorcism" with his own radionics technique. Beyond exorcism, memorial services, and healing, "it is possible to cure luck"
