ISE-SHIMA SAIKOU-KAI
Nagamine jinja shrine
Nagamine literally means long ridge.This area is on the long ridge between the
Inner and Outer . That is why thisis so called a shrine，which is dedicated to the
Ame-no-Uzume-no-mikoto，who wasa heroine goddess of Heavenly Roch Door
myth. Now this shrine is worshipped asbeing devoted to goddess of entertainment
and happiness. At the entrance thereis a pair of stone-carved guardian dogs. Have
a good look! Which one cherishesa puppy?
Myth: Heavenly Rock Door
This occurred in Taka-ma-ga-hara(Plain of High Heaven) in the mythological age.
The sun goddess，Amaterasu-omikamihad a violent-natured brother. Susano-o-no-
miko-to，who did evil deeds such asdestroying the paths between rice fields or
burying the waterways. Omikamialways guarded him from public criticism. 0nce，
however，Omikami with her attendantswas weaving, when Susano broke the roof
and threw in a horse skin. ln surprise，oneof Omikami's attendants jumped aside，
impaling herself on a wool wearving tool，anddied. Angry at this needless death
Omikami hid herself in a cave and shut thedoor. The world became completely
dark，enabling evil dissenters to go on arampage consequently forcing peoele into
troubled times.
Every one gathered to try to remedythis situation. Following their rules of
divination, they gathered a flock ofbirds together by burning deer bones，and got
them to crow in unison. Next，theyplaced an evergreen branch together with an
iron mirror and rosary and them upclose to the cave door. Then Ame-no-uzunle-
no-nlikoto appeared as if divinelypossessed on the platform in front and presented
her humorous dance. At thissight aH the gods roared with laughter. Omikami
wondered how this merry-makingcould be，despite the complete darkness.
Suspiciously she moved the door alittle to peep out. Puzzled to notice herself
reflected in the mirror, shetried moving a little further， at which point a Herculean
god pulled her outand another put up a rope behind to prevent her retum into the
cave. Again theworld became bright and peaceful.
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伊勢志摩まちづくりゼミ
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