May all the people be in peace. 合掌

Introduction

Kigensai festival (紀元祭) is a ritual to celebrate the foundation of Japan. According to Nihon Shoki,『日本書記』 (The Chronicles of Japan), the oldest official history book compiled based on Japanese mythology in the 8th century, Emperor Jinmu (神武天皇) gave birth to Chrysanthemum throne and became the 1st emperor of Japan in 660 B.C. ad Kashihara no Miya palace, a place known as Kashihara Jingu shrine today. 2026 marked Koki (Japanese Imperial year )2,686(皇紀二千六百八十六年).

In this article, I introduce his odyssey narrated in the chronicles , Kashihara Jingu shrine, and its Kigen Sai festival to you.

『日本書記』の記述

Nihon Shoki describes: 辛酉年春正月庚辰朔 天皇即帝位於橿原宮是歳爲天皇元年

The sentence tells us that emperor Jimmu acceded to the Imperial throne at Kashihara no Miya palace in the spring of a year of Kanotori.

七里ヶ浜親方

Kanotori is one of ancient ways of express years. It’s not unique like 2021 D.C. We had lots of Kanotori years. For example, 600 B.C. is also a year of Kanotori.

And the book also narrates his reign lasted 76 years.

It is the way of Nihon Shoki. It shows us the years of accession of every emperor or empress and their reigns. Thanks to this way of description, we can know the year of emperor Jinmu’s accession.

七里ヶ浜親方

The last emperor(actually she was an empress) in Nihon Shoki is emperess Jitoh. We can know the year of her accession owing to other history books. We can also find the year of accession and the reign of her predecessor. Taking these process, we can go back, on a predecessor to predecessor basis, to find the year of accession of emperor Jiumu in the end.

シカさん

 His accession took place in 660 B.C.

お福さん

Interested in Nihon Shoki?  Check the archive of National Diet Library digital collection.

In Meiji era (1872), Meiji government decided that the accession of emperor Jinmu is the foundation of Japan. 660 B.C. is the first year.

シカさん

Imperial period, like Reiwa, started on the same year.

お福さん

Reiwa 3 (2021) is 皇紀二千六百八十一年(Koki 2681). To know Koki, add 660 to a year of the Gregorian calendar.

The odyssey of Emperor Jinmu神武天皇即位までの経緯

North by North East 生誕から東征まで

His odyssey is so long. In this chapter, I’ll tell you some of important stories.

According to the first chapter of Nihon Shoki, his name is Kamiyamatonoiwa Arehiko no Sumera Mikoto(神日本磐余彦天皇).

げきすせん

It is believed that a highly educated court noble gave the name “Emperor Jimnu” to Kamiyamatonoiwa Arehiko no Sumera Mikoto  in the 8th century.

ドラゴン船

Jinmu is an Imina of Kamiyamatonoiwa Arehiko no Sumera Mikoto. In ancient times, it was rude to call emperors by their real names. People called them by Imina instead.

He is a great grandson of Ninigi no Mikoto (瓊瓊杵尊). Ninigi no Mikoto was born in Takamagahara/Takaamahara, the place where Deities of Japanese mythology live,  located up above the world. Its ruler is Amaterasu Ohmikami (天照大神), the Deity of the sun, and Ninigi is a grandson of Amaterasu.

Ninigi descend to Ashihara Nakatsukuni (葦原中国), or ancient Japan, to rule it.

When Emperor Jinmu was 45 years-old, he departed Hyuga, his birth place, for Yamato no Kuni (Known as Nara today) with the intention to build a capital and to rule Ashihana Nakatsukuni.

Yata Garasu 八咫烏

He left Hyuga with his brothers and his army for Usa (Oita). Then he headed for Yamato no Kuni by way of Setonai Kai sea. They reached Kumano (Wakayama) and got lost. When they were at a loss for their way to take, Amaterasu Ohmikami sent Yatagarasu (八咫烏) for them. Yatagarasu is a big crow with three legs. It leaded them to the way to Yoshino (and Yamato no Kuni).

Kinshi 金鵄

When they reaced Yamato no Kuni, they fought with a ruler of a region of it. They struggle with them in the toughest battle field they have ever experienced. In addition to it, the sky got dark and it started to hail.  Then, all of a sudden, Kinshi (金鵄), the golden black kite, appeared out of nowhere to rested at the bow which emperor Jinmu had and emit the rays of light. They were terrifying enough to make the enemies surrendered. After they won the fight, they managed to make surrender Yamto no Kuni itself. Emperor Jinmu constructed a palace called Kashiyara no Miya (橿原宮) at the foot of Mt. Unebi and he acceded there. The foundation of Japan was completed.

At the enthronement ceremony, there are banners like those. Before WWII, some of them has embroidered Yatagarasu and Kinshi. Today they are omitted due to the separation of country and religion.

お福さん

These photos of Yatagarasu and Kinshi are file holders they are printed on.

What is Kashihara Jingu? 橿原神宮概説

Kashihara Jingu shrine was constructed on the palace Kashihara no Miya used to be located in 1890 on people’s demand. Emperor Meiji donated buildings of Kashiko Dokoro (A shrine where Amaterasu Ohmikami was enshrined. ) and Shinkaden (A building where rituals to be held.)

The grave of Empero Jinmu are located near there.

Kigen sai of Kashihara Jingu shrine 橿原神宮紀元祭の様子

Introduction 概説

Kigen sai of Kashihara Jingu shrine starts at 11:00 a.m. It takes about one and a half hours.

This is Naihaiden where emperor Jinmu is enshrined. We can attend the rituals under the white roofs with a reservation in advance.

たけちよ

Check the websitr of Kashiyara Jingu shrine(in Japnese only)。

Tyokushi arrives 勅使参列

At 11:00, the priests arrives at Naihaiden.

After them, Chokushi (勅使) also arrives at Naihaiden. Chokushi is a messenger of emperor. Kashihara Jingu is one of Chokusai Sha. Chokusai Sha has a previlage to welcome Chokushi. For example, Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines are Chokusai sha.

And Aoi Matsuri festival is held by both of them and it welcomes Chokushi.

シカさん

Emperor sends Chokushi to some places which are not Chokusai sha. For example, His Imperial Majesty sends him to Goshichinichi Mishiho ritual of Toji temple because the ritual used to be held in the Imperial Court.

After Chokushi, the box covered with green cloth also enters Naihaiden.

緑色の布がかかった箱は唐櫃（からびつ）とよばれる、調度品などを入れる箱です。

The box is called Karabitsu(唐櫃). It contains the Yanai Bako (柳筥) box in the photo. In side Yanai Bako, there are scrolls of cloth called Goshiki no Ashiginu(五色絁). They are the gifts from emperor Naruhito.

National anthem 国家斉唱

When the ritual is prepared, we sing National anthem, Kimigayo (Emperor’s regin)

Kagura dedication 神楽奉納

The priestess dedicates Kagura performance to emperor Jinmu.

Martial arts dedication 神賑行事

Japanese martial arts are also dedicated.

The grave of emperor Jinmu 神武天皇陵参拝

The grave of emperor Jinmu is located near Kashihara Jingu shrine. It takes around 30 minutes walk.

Access to Kashihara Jingu shrine 橿原神宮へのアクセス

About 10 minutes walk from Kintetsu Kashjhara Jingu Mae station.

Parking lots for about 800 cars.

Parking fee:

大型車 2,000円/日（ Over 2.645m in height）
中型車 1,000円/日（Over 2.285m in height）
普通車　 500円/日（Over 2.285m in height）

The fee is added every 24 hrs.

About Kashihara Jingu shrine 橿原神宮基本情報

On 30th April 2019, Emperor Akihito gave up his throne. On the very next day, Naruhito, his son and former crown prince, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne and became the 126th Emperor of Japan (Senso) and the new era Reiwa started.

And Emperor Naruhito declares his accession on 22th October 2019. (Sokui no Rei)

In this article, we learn the role of the Emperor of Japan.

When a crown prince acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne, there are important 3 ceremonies to be held.

1. Senso no gi 践祚の儀
2. Sokui no Rei 即位の礼
3. Daijo Sai 大嘗祭

Who is Tenno Heika, the Emperor of Japan?

The Emperor of Japan is called “Tenno Heika (天皇陛下)” in modern Japanese. “Tenno” is a Sino-Japanese pronunciation of 天皇. The Kanji is pronounced “Sumera Mikoto” in Yamato Kotoba, the old Japanese language. “Heika (陛下)” means “His Majesty.”

The meaning of “Sumera Mikoto” sometimes leads us to controversy. So we only focus on the word “Mikoto” in this article.

In ancient times, “Mikoto” meant “To rein a particular world on the words of Deities.” The word reveals that Sumera Mikoto has a right to rein and to hold rituals to listen to the words.

Therefore, in Japanese mythology, Ninigi no Mikoto, an ancestor Tenno, descended to the earth by the order of Amaterasu Ohmikami, the most important Deity in Shinto.

When he (Ninigi no Mikoto) left Takamagahara, the place Japanese Deities lived in, she (Amaterasu Ohomikami) gave him three regalia to him. They called “Sanshu no Jingi”, or the Japanese Imperial regalia. They are integral parts of the rituals the Emperor holds.

What is Sanshu no Jingi, the Japanese Imperial regalia?

Yata no Kagami

Yata no Kagami is a mirror. When Amaterasu Ohmikami gave it to Ninigi no Mikoto, she said, “This mirror is nothing but my soul.” The most significant Sansyu no Jingi.

The genuine one is enshrined in Ise Jingu shrine. The replica of it is in Karabitsu container and enshrined in Kashiko Dokoro hall in the Imperial Palace.

Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi

Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi is a sword. It is a sword for rituals and not arms. In Japan, people believe sword is something sacred.

The genuine one is enshrined in Atsuta Jingu shrine.The replica of it is in a box and placed in Kenji no Ma hall in the Imperial Palace.

Yasakani no Magatama

Yasakani no Magatama is a stone. The genuine one is in a box and placed in Kenji no Ma hall in the Imperial house.

Senso no Gi 践祚の儀

Senso means “enthronement.” Gi means “ceremony.” No” means “of.” So, Senso no gi is roughly translated “A ceremony of enthronement. It consists of four ceremonies; Kenjito Shokei no Gi, Kasikodokoro no Gi, Koreiden Shinden ni Hokoku no Gi, and Sokui go Choken no Gi.

Kenjito Shokei no Gi 剣璽等承継の儀

Overview

This is the most important ceremony. “Kenjito” means “Kenji and the other things.” The new emperor inherits Kenji and Gyoji and Kokuji.

What is Kenji?

Kenji is two of three “Sansu no Jingi.” Sanshu no Jingi are; Yata no Kagami, Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi. and Yasakani no Magatama.

The crown prince inherits them from his father to became Tennno.

Now he has two of three regalia. Why he does not inherit the rest of them, “Yata no Kagami?”

As I said previously, Yata no Kagami is “enshrined” at Kashiko Dokoro hall. It is enshrined in the hall and the new emperor has no need to inherit it. All he has to do is to hold ritual for it. On the other hand, the other two regalia are not enshrined but just placed in Kenji no Ma hall. They belong to the current Tenno and are something to be inherited.

After this ceremony, the crown prince has Sanshu no Jingi, the Japanese Imperial Regalia and enthronement is completed. Now he is Sumera Mikoto who has a right to To rein a particular world on the words of Deities.

The other things to be inherited

Gyoji and Kokuji

Gyoji is “In” (something like a name stamp Japanese people use as signature) of emperor and Kokuji is “In” of Japan.

Kasikodokoro no Gi 賢所の儀

In Kashikodokoro hall in the Imperial house, the enthronement is reported to Amaterasu Ohomikami.

Koreiden Shinden ni Hokoku no Gi 皇霊殿神殿に奉告の儀

In Koreiden hall and Shinden hall, the enthronement is reported to all the ancestors of the emperor and all the Deities individually.

Sokui go Choken no Gi 即位後朝見の儀

At Imperial Palace, the enthronement is reported to government officials such as the heads of the three powers and local representatives.

On 30th April 2019, Emperor Akihito gave up his throne. On the very next day, Naruhito, his son and former crown prince, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne and became the 126th Emperor of Japan (Senso) and the new era Reiwa started.

And Emperor Naruhito is to declare his accession on 22th October 2019. (Sokui no Rei)

In this article, we learn the meanings of these enthronement ceremonies.

When a crown prince acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne, there are important 3 ceremonies to be held.

1. Senso no gi 践祚の儀
2. Sokui no Rei 即位の礼
3. Daijo Sai 大嘗祭

Sokuirei 即位礼

Sokuirei consists of three ceremonies;

1. Kashikodokoro ni Kijitsu Houkoku no Gi
2. Sokuirei Tojitsu Kashikodokoro Ohmae no Gi
3. Sokui Seiden no Gi.

Kashikodokoro ni Kijitsu Houkoku no Gi 賢所に期日奉告の儀

Prior to Skuirei and Daijosai, the dates they take palce are decided. With the Japanese Imperial Regalia, the new Emperor announces them to Amaterasu Ohomikami through Yata no Kagami in Kashiko Dokoro hall.

After Kashiko Dokoro hall, he announces the same things to ancestors at Koreiden hall and all the Deities in Shinden hall.

Sokuirei Tojitsu Kashikodokoro Ohmae no Gi 即位礼当日賢所大前の儀

On the very day of Sokuirei, with the Japanese Imperial Regalia, the new Emperor reports his accession to the Imperial Throne to Amaterasu through Yata no Kagami Ohmikami in Kashiko Dokoro hall.

Sokuirei Seiden no Gi 即位礼正殿の儀

History of Sokuirei Seide no Gi

The new Emperor declares that his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne was completed at Sokui no Rei. Today, it is called Sokuirei Seiden no Gi.

In ancient Japan, Both of them took place at the same time. When Emperor Kanmu succeeded to the throne, They were separated.

Shoku Nihongi, a Japanese history book compiled by the Imperial court, describes: Emperor Kanmu succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne due to the abdication of his father. On April 3rd of 781, he ascended to the throne. On 15th, he announced his ascension to the throne at Daigokuden of Heiankyo City. (The photo is of Heinajingu, a replica of Daigokuden of Heian kyo.) In 1177 Daigokuden was caught by fire and burned out completely. This is the last time Heiankyo city saw it. Since then, it was never rebuilt again. After the incident, Sokui no Rei took place at a building of government office. Around Edo period, it is held at Shishinden in the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.

By the end of Edo period, Sokui no Rei was in an ancient Chinese style.

In 802, Emperor Saga decided to wear Konben Jyunisho, an outfit of China. The Emperors wore it by the Sokui no Rei in 1847. Kon of Konben means dragons with a curved neck embroidered on the vermilion coat. Ben of Konben means the crown the figurine wears.

Today, Sokui Seiden no Rei is held in “Seiden Matsu no Ma” in the Imperial Palace. The Emperor is in an outfit called “Onsokutai.” “On” is a prefix which means respect for someone. Actually, he is on “Sokutai” called “Kourozenn no Goho.” This garment is dyed in Korozan color only allowed for the Emperor.

The Empress is in Itsutsu Ginu Karaginumo, also known as Jyuni Hitoe.

After Sokuirei Tojitsu Kasikodokoro Ohmae no Gi, the Emperor enters Seiden Matsu no Ma with the Empress and get into “Takamikura” and “Michodai” individually. (The photo describes the Sokui no Rei in Heian period.)

And the new Emperor declares his accession to the Imperial Throne and pray for the world peace.

Then, the prime minster of Japan felicitates his accession on behalf of us and makes Banzai Sansyo.

Banzai is an act to congratulate something of someone.  A person says “Banzai” loud raising their both hands. Banzai is a word of abstract. In this case, “Long live the Emperor!”  When we do Banzai Sansyo, we do this three times.

 The whole sentence Emperor Naruhito declared at the Sokuirei Seiden no Gi held on 22th October

“Previously, I acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on the Constitution and the act of Special measure on concerning the Imperial Household law.

Today, I hold Sokuirei Seiden no Gi and declare my enthronement to the world.

During over thirty years of his rein, Emperor Emeritus Akihito always desired the happiness of people and the peace of the world. Showing my respect for his compassion, I also hope that Japanese people and the world in happiness and peace. I swear that I fulfill my duty as the symbol of the state and of the unity of Japanese people. I sincerely hope that Japanese people will make great contributions with their wisdom on the prosperity of our country and the international community.”

Takamikura 高御座

“Nihon Shoki”, the second-oldest book on Japanese history, indicates Takamikura used to be a place on a huge rock where the ancestors of the Royal family were enshrined. The emperors inherited their throne there to confirm their status as a ruler: As described in the article on Senso, Ninigi no Mikoto, their ancestor, descended to Japan as a ruler by the order of Amaterasu Ohmikami in Japanese mythology,

Takamikura was used in an enthronement ceremony at least in the 8th century. It has an octagon-shaped roof which has 8 pillars. In Japanese mythology, the archipelago is referred as “Ohyashimakuni (大八島国/大八州国)” which means “A country consists of 8 islands. The octagon roof stands for Japan.

Its roof has Ho Oh on Each corner and at the top. Ho Oh is an imaginary bird in ancient China. It is believed to bring us good luck. (The photo is Ho Oh of Kinkakuji temple.)

Inside of Takamikura, there are seat and three small tables called “An”. In an enthronement ceremony, a new emperor seats on the seat and Jiju (a person serves the emperor) put Kusanagi no Tsurugi, Yasakani no Magatama, Kokuji, and Gyoji on these tables.

Takamikura is usually placed in Shishinden of Kyoto Imperial place. Around one year ago, GSDF helicopter brought it to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Michodai 御帳台

Michodai looks almost the same as Takamikura. It is for an empress and little smaller than Takamikura. It also is placed in Shishinden of Kyoto Imperial palace.

Bans 旛

Overview

The photo shows us the Sokui Rei of Emperor Meiji. The Sokui Seiden no Rei of Emperor Akihito was held in almost the same fashion. In front of Seiden Matsu no Ma, attendee seated seated themselves on small chairs. There were eleven banners hanging on Hoko behind them.

Take a look at the photo. There are spears. They are Hoko. Hoko They are not arms. When something sacred, like ritual, is held, hoko are sometimes placed in shrines and temples for the purpose of giving it to dignity.

The Hoko in the photo have short bans in individually. In Sokui Seiden no Rei, bans are placed in the same way.

The following are examples of the banners.

Banzai ban 萬歳旛

Banzai ban was made of Zuiun-cloud woven silk. Each of them had letters 萬歳 (Banzai) were embroidered on it. They stood for eternal peace.

Nissho Toban 日像纛旛

Nisho Toban was made of Zuiun-cloud woven silk and had an embroidery represented the sun. It stood for the universe.

Gessho Toban 月像纛旛

Gessho Toban was made of Zuiun-cloud woven silk and had an embroidery represented the moon. It also stood for the universe as Nissho Toban does.

Kikkasho Dai Kinban 菊花章大錦旛

Kikkasho Dai Kinban were made of Zuiun-cloud woven red (the right one) white (the left one) silk. Each of them had a golden chrysanthemum-crest embroidery which stood for the Imperial House of Japan.

Kikkasho Dai Kinban has the same Zuiun-cloud in these photos.

Kikkasho Chu Kinban 菊花章中錦旛

Kikkasho Chu Kinban were made of Zuiun-cloud woven silk and shorter than Kikkasho Dai Kinban. Each of them had a golden chrysanthemum-crest embroidery which stood for the Imperial House of Japan.There were 5 colors of them; Blue, yellow, red, white and purple ones.

Kikkasho Sho Kinban 菊花章小錦旛

Kikkasho Sho Kinban were made of Zuiun-cloud woven silk and shorter than Kikkasho Dai KInban. Each of them had a golden chrysanthemum-crest embroidery which stood for the Imperial House of Japan.There were 5 colors of them; Blue, yellow, red, white and purple ones.

Hoko 桙

Hoko had small banners made of Zuiun-cloud woven silk. It had embroidered Tomoe Mon crest. (The banners in the photo don’t have Tomoe Mon because they are those of Mikage Matsuri.)

Drums 太鼓

Sho 鉦

Sho is a drum hanging on a fire-shaped frame. When it was stricken, the attendees stood or sit on seats. (The Sho is in the photo is not the one for Sokui Seiden no Gi.)

Ko 鼓

Sho is a drum hanging on a fire-shaped frame and smaller than Sho. When it was stricken, the attendees bowed. (The Ko is in the photo is not the one for Sokui Seiden no Gi.)

Bibliography

神社本庁『御代替りー平成から新しい御代へ－』　神社本庁　2019年

中澤伸弘『宮中祭祀ー連綿と続く天皇の祈りー』展転社　2010年

「皇室の20世紀」編集部　『図説　天皇家のしきたり案内』小学館　2011年