Category: Rituals & Beliefs

Tatoo. Spelled “needle thrust” in Japanese, hajichi carves designs in … Continued

Hinukan (god of fire) is usually enshrined near the kitchen … Continued

In general, a building where the noro (priestess) performs religious … Continued

A kind of trickster believed to be found in every … Continued

An island situated 6 km to the east of the … Continued

A world different from ours, where the gods live, an … Continued

My obaa is a noro, and our family’s yagou1 is … Continued

Onari or unai means “sisters.” We might say that the … Continued

In Okinawa, typhoon and drought are two natural phenomena that … Continued

Countless varieties of butterflies can be found on Okinawa Island … Continued

“We had shīmī yesterday.” … Continued

Tachigan, Tonbara, Twungan, Tachise—called by various names on various islands, … Continued

In the Amami Islands, people pray to their ancestors at … Continued

Praying to Gods and Buddhas. In Okinawa, it does not … Continued