Hinu Manai Shrine
Because Amaterasu Omikami could not dine alone in peace, she called Toyouke no Omikami of the Hinu Manai Shrine to Ise Jingu Shrine
Hinu Manai Shrine is located in the Mineyama district of Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture, and is an ancient shrine identified as “Hiji Manai Shrine” in the “Shiki-nai-sha” (shrines listed in the list of shrines in the Engi-shiki at the beginning of the 10th century). The main enshrined deity is Toyouke no Omikami, the supreme deity of agriculture who brings about a bountiful harvest, and is enshrined at the outer shrine of Ise Jingu Shrine (Ise Grand Shrine) in Mie Prefecture.
It is said that during the period of Japanese mythology, Toyouke no Omikami descended from the heavens on Mt.t Isanago in the Mineyama district and taught rice cultivation and sericultural techniques to the local people.
Near the Hinu Manai Shrine, there remains a crescent-shaped rice field called “Tsuki no Wa Den” where Toyouke no Omikami cultivated rice for Amaterasu Omikami.
Mt. Isanago is the setting of Japan’s oldest “legend of the robe of feathers (Hagoromo Legend).” Halfway up Mt. Isanago, there is a pond called Meike, where a heavenly maiden is said to have descended to bathe in the water. It is said that the heavenly maiden who hid her robe of feathers by an elderly couple and was unable to return to the heavenly realm was Toyouke no Omikami.
It is said that Amaterasu, the deity of Ise Jingu Shrine, appeared to the 21st Emperor Yuryaku in his dream and told him to call Toyouke no Omikami at Hiji manai in Tamba Province because she could not eat in peace by herself. This is why Hinu Manai Shrine is called “Moto Ise (original Ise, former Ise).”
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