Glossary of Shinto Names and Terms: A

Ajiki Tenkei 安食天恵

[ajiki_tenkei]

(1952- ). Founder of the New Religion called Yamato no Miya. Ajiki began the religion in 1977 under the name Kômei no Kai, but changed it to its present name in 1987. Headquartered in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture; reported membership is approximately 5,000.

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Akakurasan Jinja 赤倉山神社

[akakurasan_jinja]

Akakurasan Shrine.

A religious group founded in 1942 by a shamanness, Kudô Mura (1887? - 1965). The headquarters is in Nakatsugaru County of Aomori Prefecture; reported membership is appoximately 1,000.

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Ama no iwato 天の岩戸

[ama_no_iwato]

Heavenly Cave.

The mythic "heavenly cave" in which Amaterasu retired following her confrontation with Susanoo. Due to Amaterasu's concealment in the cave, Takama-no-hara fell into darkness and chaos. Takamimusubi and other kami made offerings, recited liturgies, and performed ritual dances and songs in order to lure Amaterasu from the cave. Upon her reappearance, Takami-no-hara was filled with light once again.

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Amaterasu ômikami アマテラス (記・紀: 天照大〔御〕神)

[amaterasu_omikami]

See Basic Terms of Shinto: Amaterasu Ômikami.

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Amatsu-kyô 天津教

[amatsu-kyo]

Kôson Kôtai Jingû Amatsu-kyô. A Shintô-based New Religion founded in 1900 by Takeuchi Kiyomaro (1874-1965) based on an old text known as Takeuchi monjo. Headquartered in Kita-Ibaraki City in Ibaraki Prefecture; no membership figures are available.

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amatsukami 天津神

[amatsukami]

See Basic Terms of Shinto: Ame-tsuchi, Kami, Takama no Hara.

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Amenominakanushi no kami アメ (マ) ノミナカヌシ (記: 天之御中主神、紀: 天御中主尊)

[amenominakanushi_no_kami]

See Basic Terms of Shinto: Amenominakanushi no kami.

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[Masakaakatsukachihayahi] Amenooshihomimi no mikoto 〔マサカアカツカチハヤヒ〕アメ (マ) ノオシホミミ (ネ) (記: 〔正勝吾勝勝速日〕天之忍穂耳命、紀: 〔正哉吾勝勝速日〕天忍穂耳 (骨) (穂根) 尊)

[amenooshihomimi_no_mikoto]

Oshihomimi.

A kami found in the myths of Kiki. Produced by Susanoo from one of Amaterasu's possessions and therefore considered to be her child. Was ordered to decend to the Land of the Reed Plains (Japan), but after the land was pacified, his son Ninigi decended in his place and became ruler of the land.

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aramitama 荒魂

[aramitama]

See Basic Terms of Shinto: Tama2.

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Asano Wasaburô 浅野和三郎

[asano_wasaburo]

(1873-1937). A researcher of psychic phenomenon in the Taishô and early Shôwa period. After graduating from Tokyo Imperial University, Asano worked as an English instructor at the Naval War College. He joined Ômoto in 1916 and became one of its powerful leaders. After the 1921 First Ômoto Incident, he left Ômoto and established an independent group for psychic research.

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Aso Jinja 阿蘇神社

[aso_jinja]

Aso Shrine.

A shikinaisha shrine in Aso County, Kumamoto Prefecture, particularly known for its performances of Aso Kodai Kagura.

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azusa miko 梓巫

[azusa_miko]

catalpa-bow diviner.

A female shaman who acts as a medium for spirits; known for characteristic ritual use of a catalpa-bow.

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