Mythology

Question 1

Izanagi & Izanami

Answer 1

• Siblings and spouses
• Given a divine spear, Ame no-Boko, to create Earth
• Formed the first islands of Japan from the Heavenly Floating Bridge (Takamagahara)
• Lived on Onogoro island and created the Heavenly Pillar (Ame-no-mihashira)
• Outside of the Kimono room, end of the hall.

Question 2

Hiruko

Answer 2

• First son of Izanagi and Izanami
• Deity of fishing, wealth, and fortune
• Born from Izanami speaking first
• Considered inadequate and sent away to sea in a reed boat
• Place a bowl of rice and a cup of willow tea beside his portrait in respects.
• Inside, to the left of the garden entrance

Question 3

Kagutsuchi

Answer 3

• Kami of Fire, killer of Izanami
• Burnt Izanami during birth, causing her death
• Izanagi, in rage, killed Kagutsuchi
• Insence placed out of respect for his unfortunate life
• Kaneko cat to give him the luck he did not have when coming into this world
• Downstairs between 2 rooms (Kikumaru’s and Taizuru’s - unsure what else to call the rooms)

Question 4

Raijin and Fujin

Answer 4

• Oni turned Kami
• Raijin is the god of thunder
• Fujin is the god of wind
• Escaped from Yomi (the Underworld) during Izanagi’s attempt to rescue Izanami
• To the left of the Willow Shrine

Question 5

Amaterasu

Answer 5

• Goddess of the Sun, born from Izanagi’s left eye
• Given authority over the heavens and the light
• Her conflict with Susanoo led to her retreat to a cave, plunging the world into darkness
• Lured out by other kami using a mirror and festive distractions
• Above garden entrance (Left)

Question 5

Tsukuyomi

Answer 5

• God of the Moon, born from Izanagi’s right eye
• Sent to represent Amaterasu at a banquet, killed Uke-Mochi-No-Kami out of disgust
• Expelled to the opposite side of the world by Amaterasu, creating the division of day and night
• Above garden entrance (middle)

Question 6

Susanoo

Answer 6

• God of the Seas, born from Izanagi’s nose
• Expelled to Earth after causing chaos in Amaterasu’s domain
• Defeated an eight-headed dragon to save an elderly couple’s daughter, Kushinadahime, whom he married
• Found a sacred sword in the dragon’s tail and offered it to Amaterasu as an apology
• Above garden entrance (Right)

Question 7

Inari

Answer 7

• Deity of fertility, agriculture, and foxes
• Appeared during a famine caused by Tsukuyomi’s murder of the food goddess
• Blessed the lands with fertility and provided rice and cereal
• To the right of the willow shrine, near Kagutsuchi

Question 8

Shrine Etiquette

Answer 8

1. Bow at the red tori gate
2. Walk along the left or right sides, never in the middle; the kami use this
3. Toss coin
4. Bow twice
5. Clap twice
6. bow once
7. Exit as you entered

Question 9

Mascot History

Answer 9

• Willow translates to Yanagi, our Okaa-san’s name
• Willow is Yanagi’s rabbit and is on her card as the symbolism of her career
• Without Willow, there would be no Yanagi, and without Yanagi, there would be no Kineya
• One must present themselves to the shrine by bowing 6 times (Letters in Willow) + 1 for good luck
• If willow passes, all Kineyan seniors must wear black the week of his passing
• All Juniors (Sp.Taiko / Maiko and below) will wear dark green/blue/purple with a white obi to mourn his passing
• Every June for the following years after his passing, Kineya members will wear a singular, special kimono to honor him and his passing
• June is chosen as it represents willow trees and their flowers
• Whilst we represent this tree of life and change, we mourn an honor the life lost