Meiwa, Mie
Encyclopedia
is a town
located in the Taki District
, of central Mie Prefecture
, on the island of Honshū
, Japan
.
In 1958, the town of Sanwa and the village of Saimei merged to form the town of Meiwa.
, residence of the Saiō
. A Saiō was an unmarried Imperial princess who, in place of the Emperor, was dispatched to serve as the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrine. When the emperor ascended the throne, divination was used to choose a Saiō from among the unmarried princesses of the Imperial family. The Saiō would then, after a time of purification, leave the capital in Kyōto
to reside at the Saikū, just 10 km northwest of Ise Grand Shrine. The Saiō system began in the latter half of the 7th century and lasted for roughly 660 years, before disappearing during the disturbances of the Nanbokuchō period around the mid 14th century.
Legend relates that 2,000 years ago, the divine Yamatohime-no-Mikoto
set out from Mt. Miwa, in Nara Prefecture, in search of the place where the goddess Amaterasu-Ōmikami was enshrined. More than twenty years of travel finally brought her to the goal of her search in Ise
. It was from this event that the Saiō system gets its origin, and following upon the example set by Yamatohime-no-Mikoto, it is to women that the responsibility of protecting Amaterasu-Ōmikami has been entrusted.
On her journey, Yamatohime-no-Mikoto traveled down the Kushida River and stopped at Sasafue where she erected a shrine. That shrine remains in Meiwa today as the Sasafue-Angū Ruins. She then set out upon the ocean, which at the time was so calm she named the area Ōyodo (translating roughly to "great stillness"), and founded the Ōyodo Shrine.
According to the Man'yōshū (The Anthology of Ten Thousand Leaves), the first Saiō was the princess Okunohime-miko, daughter of Emperor Temmu
. The Saiō was primarily responsible for performing three important Shinto rituals at Ise Grand Shrine. In June and November she would visit the shrine to pray and hold the Tsukinamisai Festivals. The third was the Kannamesai Festival 神嘗祭, held in September, in which she made offerings to the gods of the year's new grain harvest, and of which she herself partook.
During the Edo period the area developed into a thriving agricultural center and post-town, providing lodging to people making the pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine. Vestiges of these ancient times are still to be found today.
Yamada Line
(
for )
does not operate bus lines to Meiwa, however the town of Meiwa runs a small bus line that connects Myōjō Station and Saikū Station with the Meiwa City Hall and the huge Meiwa Jusco
shopping center. Buses run hourly from the stations and only operate between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
located in the Taki District
Taki District, Mie
Taki is a district located in Mie, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 49,800 and a density of 98.23 persons per km². The total area is 506.97 km².-Mergers:...
, of central Mie Prefecture
Mie Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province....
, on the island of Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
In 1958, the town of Sanwa and the village of Saimei merged to form the town of Meiwa.
History
Meiwa is best known as the location of the ancient SaikūSaiku
, also known as "Itsukinomiya" , was a village located approximately 10 kilometers north-west of Ise Shrine, arguably the most significant Shinto shrine in Japan...
, residence of the Saiō
Saio
A , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Japanese emperor, sent to Ise to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century. The Saiō's residence, Saikū , was approximately 10 km north-west of the shrine...
. A Saiō was an unmarried Imperial princess who, in place of the Emperor, was dispatched to serve as the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrine. When the emperor ascended the throne, divination was used to choose a Saiō from among the unmarried princesses of the Imperial family. The Saiō would then, after a time of purification, leave the capital in Kyōto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
to reside at the Saikū, just 10 km northwest of Ise Grand Shrine. The Saiō system began in the latter half of the 7th century and lasted for roughly 660 years, before disappearing during the disturbances of the Nanbokuchō period around the mid 14th century.
Legend relates that 2,000 years ago, the divine Yamatohime-no-Mikoto
Yamatohime-no-mikoto
is a Japanese deity figure that is said to have established Ise Shrine, where the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined. Yamatohime-no-mikoto is recorded as being the daughter of Emperor Suinin, Japan's 11th Emperor.-Traditional historical view:...
set out from Mt. Miwa, in Nara Prefecture, in search of the place where the goddess Amaterasu-Ōmikami was enshrined. More than twenty years of travel finally brought her to the goal of her search in Ise
Ise, Mie
, formerly called Ujiyamada , is a city located in eastern Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan.Ise is home to Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shintō Shrine in Japan, and is thus a very popular destination for tourists. The city has a long-standing nickname—Shinto —that roughly means...
. It was from this event that the Saiō system gets its origin, and following upon the example set by Yamatohime-no-Mikoto, it is to women that the responsibility of protecting Amaterasu-Ōmikami has been entrusted.
On her journey, Yamatohime-no-Mikoto traveled down the Kushida River and stopped at Sasafue where she erected a shrine. That shrine remains in Meiwa today as the Sasafue-Angū Ruins. She then set out upon the ocean, which at the time was so calm she named the area Ōyodo (translating roughly to "great stillness"), and founded the Ōyodo Shrine.
According to the Man'yōshū (The Anthology of Ten Thousand Leaves), the first Saiō was the princess Okunohime-miko, daughter of Emperor Temmu
Emperor Temmu
was the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Temmu's reign lasted from 672 until his death in 686.-Traditional narrative:...
. The Saiō was primarily responsible for performing three important Shinto rituals at Ise Grand Shrine. In June and November she would visit the shrine to pray and hold the Tsukinamisai Festivals. The third was the Kannamesai Festival 神嘗祭, held in September, in which she made offerings to the gods of the year's new grain harvest, and of which she herself partook.
During the Edo period the area developed into a thriving agricultural center and post-town, providing lodging to people making the pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine. Vestiges of these ancient times are still to be found today.
Rail
KintetsuKintetsu
, named Kinki Nippon Railway Co., Ltd. in English until June 27, 2003, is a Japanese rail transit corporation commonly known as . It is the largest non-JR railway in Japan. Its complex network of lines connects Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Tsu and Ise...
Yamada Line
Kintetsu Yamada Line
The is a railway line of the Japanese private railway company Kintetsu, connecting Ise-Nakagawa Station and Ujiyamada Station in Japan. The line runs parallel to parts of the JR Central Kisei Main Line and Sangū Line.The line connects with the Toba Line at Ujiyamada Station...
(
Bus
SancoSanco
The Mie Kotsu Co.,Ltd. , also known as Sanco , is a public transportation company that is most well known for operating local and long-distance buses in Mie prefecture, Japan. The company has other ventures as well, including a taxicab business and selling homes....
does not operate bus lines to Meiwa, however the town of Meiwa runs a small bus line that connects Myōjō Station and Saikū Station with the Meiwa City Hall and the huge Meiwa Jusco
JUSCO
is the acronym for Japan United Stores Company, a chain of "general merchandise stores" and the largest of its type in Japan. The various JUSCO companies are subsidiaries of ÆON Co., Ltd.....
shopping center. Buses run hourly from the stations and only operate between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
Roads
National RoutesNational highways of Japan
Japan has a nationwide system of distinct from the expressways. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other government agencies administer the national highways. Beginning in 1952, Japan classified these as Class 1 or Class 2. Class 1 highways had one- or two-digit numbers, while...
- Route 23Japan National Route 23National Route 23 is a national highway connecting Toyohashi, Aichi and Ise, Mie in Japan.-Route Data:*Length: 175.3 km *Origin: Toyohashi *Terminus: Ise...
Places of interest
- Saikū Historical Museum - This museum is all about the Saiō and her home, Saikū. The highlight is the short films you can see; English earpieces are available. A short walk from Saikū Station.
- Itsukinomiya Historical Experience - Built without the use of modern technology, this building is crafted to resemble the Saiō's ancient residence. There are Heian-style imperial kimono on display that can actually be tried on if you make a reservation in advance. Just outside this building is a small-scale reconstruction of the entire Saikū complex. Located immediately north of Saikū Station.
- Ōyodo Swimming Beach - A small beach in northeastern Meiwa.
Festivals
- Saiō Festival - This is held every year in early June near the Saikū ruins. There is a procession of people clad in old Imperial dress. It treats onlookers to a veritable scene from the ancient picture scrolls of the Imperial HeianHeian periodThe is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
court. Following excavations of the Saikū, the Saiō Festival was begun to pacify the souls of the Saiō and the people who had lived there with her. The festival is held for two days under the supervision of a board of organizers on the first weekend of June each year.
- Ōyodo Gion Festival - Several hours of fireworks over Ōyodo harbour, sponsored by local businessess and groups from the Meiwa/IseIse, Mie, formerly called Ujiyamada , is a city located in eastern Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan.Ise is home to Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shintō Shrine in Japan, and is thus a very popular destination for tourists. The city has a long-standing nickname—Shinto —that roughly means...
/MatsusakaMatsusaka, Mie, sometimes called Matsuzaka, is a city located in central Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan. The city is famous for its beef.-Founding:...
area. Held on the last Saturday of July or the first Saturday of August, the festival involves a number of people pulling a 2 level lanterned cart full of drums and flute players onto a boat and out into the harbour.
Neighbors
Meiwa is bordered by:- Ise BayIse BayIse Bay is a bay located at the mouth of the Kiso River between Mie and Aichi Prefectures in Japan. Ise Bay has an average depth of 19.5 metres and a maximum depth of 30 metres toward the centre. The mouth of the bay is 9 kilometres wide and is connected to the smaller Mikawa Bay by two channels:...
, to the north. - The city of IseIse, Mie, formerly called Ujiyamada , is a city located in eastern Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan.Ise is home to Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shintō Shrine in Japan, and is thus a very popular destination for tourists. The city has a long-standing nickname—Shinto —that roughly means...
, to the east. - The town of TamakiTamaki, Mieis a town located in Watarai District, Mie, Japan.As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 15,268 and a density of 373 persons per km². The total area is 40.94 km²....
, to the south. - The town of TakiTaki, Mieis a town in Taki District, Mie, Japan.On January 1, 2006 the village of Seiwa, from Taki District, was merged into Taki.As of 2010 the town has an estimated population of 15,457 and a density of 150 persons per km²...
, to the southwest. - The city of MatsusakaMatsusaka, Mie, sometimes called Matsuzaka, is a city located in central Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan. The city is famous for its beef.-Founding:...
, to the west.