Evolving to stay the same Shikinen Sengu, Ise Jingu’s Largest Ritual
For many people, when it comes to Mie Prefecture, Ise Jingu would come to mind. As such, a wide variety of more than 1,500 rituals and ceremonies are held on this sacred ground every year. Yet among these, the biggest one of all is “Shikinen Sengu.” I’ve always been fascinated by this mysterious ritual. However, the series of rituals and ceremonies are closed to the general public. Hints of the spiritual aura are only felt if you catch a glimpse of the Shinto priests walking along the shrine path on the way to their ceremonies.
Recently, however, I heard about a place where some of the mysteries around the Shikinen Sengu are revealed, so I headed to Ise. That place is the Sengukan Museum adjacent to Geku. Come with me as I uncover some of the mysteries in the spiritual heart of Japan.
Written by Ren Wong
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What is Shikinen Sengu?
“Shikinen Sengu” refers to the series of rituals and ceremonies that take place once every 20 years when all shrine pavilions at Ise Jingu are rebuilt true to their original design. This momentous project, including the relocation of countless sacred objects, is carried out on sites equal in size and adjacent to the east and west sides of Kotaijingu (known as Naiku) and Toyo'uke-daijingu (known as Geku). During this period, 14 auxiliary shrines known as betsugu, held in similar esteem to the Naiku and Geku, are also reconstructed along with Ujibashi Bridge that spans the Isuzugawa River at the entrance of Naiku. “Shikinen” means “a fixed year,” while “Sengu” is a special term for moving a deity to a new shrine. Simply put, deities get a new house.
There are various theories as to why the Shikinen Sengu is held. Some say the fresh construction preserves the dignity of the shrine, while others favor the idea that the 20-year mark is a turning point into a new era. In fact, however, no one knows for sure.
What exactly happens?
People last talked about Shikinen Sengu in 2013. So, it may seem reasonable to assume that “the next ritual will be held in 2033.” However, Shikinen Sengu involves 33 rituals and events over eight years. The next 63rd Shikinen Sengu will begin with a series of events from 2025.
The Sengu ritual is divided into three main parts: preparation of lumber, new shrine construction, and a ceremony to transfer the deities. Important rituals accompany each step in the process, with ceremonies to pray for safety and to sanctify the articles, places, and people involved in the events held at each stage in the process.
Once the new shrine is built, you can see the view of both old and new shrines standing side by side on the east and west grounds.
Highlights of the Sengukan Museum
Photo by Sengukan Museum
Seeing these treasures brought to mind all the various crafts of Mie introduced in this blog, and I realized how difficult yet vital it is to pass on these traditional techniques. Remaking/refurbishing the sacred treasures every 20 years seems to be a perfect opportunity to pass on such knowhow to the next generation.
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▼Check out these articles for more on Mie craftsmanship.
The Kimono’s Secret: Ise Katagami
Mie's Ever-evolving Tradition: Suzuka-zumi Ink
Meet the master swordsmith who keeps alive the tradition of Japanese swords in Kumano
Mie traditions: Young artisans keep the flame burning
Photo by Sengukan Museum
The climax of the Shikinen Sengu is the Sengyo-no-Gi ceremony when the deity is transferred to the new shrine. This exhibit exuded a mystical aura that made me feel as though I had stepped into the world of ancient Japan. From the 7th century to the present day, the Shikinen Sengu festival has followed the ancient rites while staying in step with the times.
Photo by Sengukan Museum
In the Sengukan Museum, one of the main exhibits is a full-scale replica of the side of Geku main shrine. The moment I saw it, I was overwhelmed by its size and the beauty of the thatched roof. On the other hand, it also had a quite simple, rustic feel. The architectural style of Ise Jingu, called Yuitsu Shinmei-zukuri, is said to have originated in ancient Japanese granaries. Standing before this structure, I felt this deep connection with the roots of Japan as a rice growing culture.
Such delicate architecture is not designed to last forever. When I thought about its reconstruction every two decades, I felt that I could understood more deeply one of the significances of Shikinen Sengu – to preserve the same beautiful state that the structure once had long ago when it was new.
Such delicate architecture is not designed to last forever. When I thought about its reconstruction every two decades, I felt that I could understood more deeply one of the significances of Shikinen Sengu – to preserve the same beautiful state that the structure once had long ago when it was new.
Photo by Sengukan Museum
The diorama of the main sanctuary buildings of Geku astounded me. I had been there just before visiting the Sengukan Museum, but now I realized the grounds were many times larger than I had imagined, and it seems I had only set foot inside the outer edge. The gate I had gazed upon and prayed at seemed so distant from the main shrine. Considering that everything in these grounds was to be rebuilt (plus Naiku and 14 betsugu!), it suddenly struck me how tremendous a task it was to relocate the shrine.
Where do they get the wood to build something like this? In the same exhibition room, I found my answer.
Where do they get the wood to build something like this? In the same exhibition room, I found my answer.
Timber used for Ise Jingu was originally harvested from the surrounding area known as Jingu-rin, meaning Shrine Forest, although due to a shortage around the 14th century, timber started to be sourced from forests outside the prefecture. However, to achieve the same 100% self-sufficiency of wood used for Shikinen Sengu as in the past, a plan has been in place since 1923 to cultivate a cypress forest over a period of two centuries. In this way, it seems Shikinen Sengu has pioneered efforts to protect the natural environment.
While preserving tradition, we make it new. The new preserves the old.
The practice of using times of change to pass on unchanging beliefs and knowhow seems distinctly Japanese, a unique system of sustainability. I became even more interested as I realized how so many aspects of this 1,300-year-old tradition reflected modern concerns like ecology and sustainability. Looking back on this past makes me look forward to the Shikinen Sengu which begins in 2025.
The practice of using times of change to pass on unchanging beliefs and knowhow seems distinctly Japanese, a unique system of sustainability. I became even more interested as I realized how so many aspects of this 1,300-year-old tradition reflected modern concerns like ecology and sustainability. Looking back on this past makes me look forward to the Shikinen Sengu which begins in 2025.