| |
 |
|
 |
 |
| 1.Priestesses crossing the Nanatsu
Bashi bridge |
|
|
| 2.Confining themselves in a
ritual hut |
|
| |
 |
|
 |
| |
| 3.A highest-ranking priestess |
|
|
| 4.Men participating as ssistants
|
|
| |
 |
|
 |
| |
| 5.The Arikuya
tug-of-war, a rite to send gods off |
|
|
| 6.A
Nanchu priestess accepting a celebratory
spirit from her brother |
|
| |
|
|
| 7.Gukimaai,
a ritual dance |
|
Izaihoo is a four-day ritual
beginning on November 15 of the lunar calendar, in the year
of the horse of the twelve-year lunar calendar cycle. Known
as a ritual related to the creation of the islands, the ceremonies
provide valuable research data to Okinawa and Japan's folk cultural
studies. Priestesses in the age group between thirty and seventy
officiate this ritual and women between the ages of thirty to
forty-one undergo their first initiation rite to become priestesses.
With a total of four stages, in this initial stage, the women
are called Nanchu.
This ritual hasn't been held since 1978 due to a decline in
the number of women inheriting the role of priestesses.
Photo Courtesy of: Masao Higa |
