Mount Iwaki (Japanese: 石城山, Hepburn: Iwaki-san), also known as Iwaki-yama (石城山) in the Shintō Tenkōkyo religion, is a sacred mountain in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Administratively, Mount Iwaki's summit and northern slopes are situated within the city of Hikari in Yamaguchi Prefecture, while its southern slopes are situated within the city of Tabuse. The mountain is located to the north of the town center of Tabuse.[1][2]
Shrines
Iwakisan Kōgoishi (石城山神籠石), a 7th-century military stone fortification, is located on the summit of Mount Iwaki.[3]
Just to the south of Iwakisan Kōgoishi, Shintō Tenkōkyo's shrines are located on Mount Iwaki (石城山), The religion pronounces the name of the mountain as Iwaki-yama, but outside the religion the conventional pronunciation is Iwaki-san. It is the most sacred mountain of Shintō Tenkōkyo and is considered to be the earthly representation of the heavenly gathering place of the gods, similar to Oomoto's treatment of Mount Hongū in Ayabe.[4] Every November on Mount Iwaki, Shintō Tenkōkyo organizes a nighttime ritual ceremony (山上夜間特別修法) for "universal harmony and world spiritualization" (万有和合・世界霊化). Followers recite the "Ten Prayers" (十言神咒) in dedication to Amaterasu.[5]
Immediately to the west of Shintō Tenkōkyo's shrines, Iwaki Jinja (石城神社) and its affiliated auxiliary shrines (setsumatsusha 摂末社) predate the Shinto Tenkokyo shrines.[6][7][8]
Yamato Jinja (日本神社) is the main shrine affiliated with Shintō Tenkōkyo. It is a large shrine building dedicated to the nation of Japan and the imperial family. Founding date: November 12, 1929. Enshrined deities: Amaterasu Ōkami 天照大御神, Shikidai Sumemima no Mikoto 史代皇孫尊, Ametsuchi Yao Yorozu no Kami 天地八百萬神.
Iwaki Jinja (石城神社) predates the Shinto Tenkokyo shrines. Its enshrined deities are Ōyamatsumi no Mikoto 大山祇命, Ikazuchi no Kami 雷神, and Takaokami no Kami 高龗神.
Suga-sha (須賀社) is a massha affiliated with Iwaki Jinja and is adjacent to Iwaki Jinja. Enshrined deities: Susanoo no Kami 須佐之男神, Ōtoshi no Kami 大歳神, Mitoshi no Kami 御歳神.
The following three massha shrines form a cluster located to the northwest of Yamato Jinja.
Kuwau Jinja (荒神社) is a massha affiliated with Iwaki Jinja. Enshrined deity: Susanoo no Kami 須佐之男神.
Banzan Jinja (磐山神社) is a Shintō Tenkōkyo auxiliary shrine where the spirit of Tomokiyo Yoshisane is enshrined. Founding date: May 25, 1952. Enshrined deity: Okitamahiko no Mikoto 氣玉顏命 (the deified spirit of Tomokiyo Yoshisane).
The following three massha shrines form a cluster located directly to the north of Yamato Jinja, and east of the shrine cluster listed above.
Wakamiya-sha (若宮社) is a massha affiliated with Iwaki Jinja. Enshrined deity: Ninigi no Mikoto 瓊瓊杵尊.
Itakeru Jinja (五十猛神社) is a Shintō Tenkōkyo auxiliary shrine. Founding date: October 18, 1930. Enshrined deity: Itakeru no Kami 五十猛神.
Mononobe Jinja (物部神社) is a Shintō Tenkōkyo auxiliary shrine. Founding date: November 23, 1940. Enshrined deity: Mononobe no MoriyaŌmuraji no Mikoto 物部守屋大連命.
The following shrines are located east of Yamato Jinja.
Ashihara Jinja (葦原神社) is a Shintō Tenkōkyo auxiliary shrine. It is characterized by a koi pond called Kami no Ike (神池) and is located along the path to Shikishima Jinja. It is located just west of Shikishima Jinja. Founding date: June 9, 1943. Enshrined deities and associated mythological places: Shinshū-gaku 神集岳, Banreishin-gaku 萬靈神岳, and "All the Great Gods residing in the Divine Realm of the Purple Palace" (Shifukyū shinkai ni masu moromoro no ōmikami 紫府宮神界に坐す諸大神).
Shikishima Jinja (石城島神社) is large shrine building for memorializing the ancestors of Shintō Tenkōkyo followers. Founding date: September 27, 1931.
Tenryū Jinja (天龍神社) is a Shintō Tenkōkyo auxiliary shrine where the spirit of Hori Tenryūsai 堀天龍斎 (1856–1920), a hermit who was one of Tomokiyo Yoshisane's teachers, is enshrined. Founding date: September 12, 1930. Enshrined deity: spirit of Hori Tenryūsai.
Takahi Jinja (高日神社), also called Myōken-sha (妙見社), is a massha affiliated with Iwaki Jinja. It is the northeasternmost shrine on Mount Iwaki. It is located at the top of a summit (高日ヶ峰; elevation: 362 metres). Enshrined deities: Zōka Sanshin 造化三神.
Iwakisan Kōgoishi (石城山神籠石), the ruins of an ancient castle, is located to the northeast of the Shintō Tenkōkyo shrine cluster.
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