Tsukiyominomiya

Tsukuyomi-no-Miya, a branch of the Koutai Jingu Shrine

Tsukiyomi-no-Miya is a branch shrine of Ise Jingu. It is sometimes called “Tsukiyomi-no-Miya” as a familiar nickname.

The deity Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto is enshrined here. Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto is the younger brother of Amaterasu, the deity of the Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu. Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto was founded before the Heian period (794-1185), and is steeped in ancient history.

Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto Shrine is located in the middle reaches of the Isuzu River in Nakamura-cho, approximately 3.8 km from Toyoke Grand Shrine (Outer Shrine) and 1.8 km from the Imperial Grand Shrine (Inner Shrine).

There are other separate shrines within the precincts of Tsukiyomi-no-miya. First, there is Tsukiyomi Aramitama-no-miya, which enshrines the soul of Tsukiyomi no Mikoto.

There are also two other shrines: Isanagi Shrine, dedicated to Izanagi no Mikiya and Isanami Shrine, dedicated to Izanami no Mikiya.

These two shrines stand side by side with Tsukiyomi-gu Shrine, and other than the two shrines at Takihara-no-miya, there are no other separate shrines in this form.

The pavilions are small in scale, as are all of the other annexes of Naiku, except for Arasaginomiya, but the four Shinmei-zukuri pavilions in a row are a spectacular sight.

From the right (east), they are Tsukiyomi Aragomikamiya, Tsukiyomi Shrine, Isanaki Shrine, and Isanami Shrine. The correct order of visitation is Tsukiyomi-gu Shrine, followed by Tsukiyomi Aragomikoto-gu Shrine, Isanaki-gu Shrine, and Isanami-gu Shrine.

Tsukiyomi-gu Shrine is dedicated to Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto, the younger brother of Amaterasu, the supreme deity, and thus ranks second only to Ara-mikoto-miya, which enshrines the soul of Amaterasu, and is the highest of the separate shrines located outside the precincts of the Inner Shrine.

The other shrines in the area of the shrine are Yoshihara Shrine, which is also a branch of the Inner Shrine. As with the other detached shrines outside the precincts, priests are stationed at the Shukueiya, where they give out omamori (charms and talismans), perform kagura (Shinto music and dance), and offer food and other services during the hours of worship.