Ubusunagami

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Ubusunagami (産土神, lit. "Birth Deity/Divinity/Spirit") in Shinto are tutelary kami of one's birthplace.[1]

Overview[edit]

In Shinto, a guardian deity of the land of one's birth.[2][3] It is believed to be a deity that protects you from before you are born until after you die, and that it will protect you throughout your life even if you move to another place.[2]

While the relationship between Ujigami and Ujiko is based on blood relations, that between Ubusunagami and Ubuko is based on a sense of faith based on geographical relations.[1] Therefore, it is in a city that this consciousness is strongly expressed. For example, in Kyoto, the unity of clan groups weakened, and a sense of community based on geographical ties was formed, and in the Middle Ages, powerful Shinto shrines such as Inari Shrine, Goryo Shrine, Kamo Shrine, and Kitano Shrine were established. Here the concept of birthplace area was developed based on the god of birthplace. The term birthplace pilgrimage came into general use, and the custom of paying a visit to the birthplace for a child's Miyamairi,[1] coming-of-age ceremony, Shichi-Go-San, etc. became popular. In addition, in Edo, Hiezanou was regarded as the birthplace deity of the Tokugawa clan, and its rituals were extremely grand.

Ubusunagami are distinct from Chinjugami because one maintains the link to their Ubusunagami throughout their entire life, even if they move to a new location.

Nonetheless Ubusunagami, Ujigami, and Chinjugami are often conflated in the modern day,[4][5][user-generated source][6] all three are seen as strengthening local identity.[7]

In some locations, the ubusunagami is linked to the ubugami, a tutelary deity of infants and pregnant women; in these cases, it is customary to pay respects immediately following childbirth at a hokora to the deity.[1]

Since the Muromachi period, the belief in the Ujigami as a family deity is declining nationwide and is being absorbed by the newly emerged belief in the Ubusunagami and Chinjugami.[8]

In popular culture[edit]

Ubusunagami are prominent in Jujutsu Kaisen.[9]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Encyclopedia of Shinto詳細". 國學院大學デジタルミュージアム (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  2. ^ a b 日本史用語研究会 (2 February 2009) [2009-2-2]. 必携日本史用語 (四訂版 ed.). 実教出版. ISBN 9784407316599.
  3. ^ 小項目事典,世界大百科事典内言及, 百科事典マイペディア,旺文社日本史事典 三訂版,精選版 日本国語大辞典,デジタル大辞泉,世界大百科事典 第２版,ブリタニカ国際大百科事典. "産土神とは". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "神社とまつりの知識 氏神・産土神・鎮守神". Ōsaki Hachimangū. 2004. Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  5. ^ "鎮守神". ピクシブ百科事典 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-02-13.[user-generated source]
  6. ^ "Jinja to Matsuri no Chishiki". Ujigami, ubusunagami, chinjusha (in Japanese). Hachiman-gū. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  7. ^ 小項目事典,デジタル大辞泉,世界大百科事典内言及, 日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ),精選版 日本国語大辞典,ブリタニカ国際大百科事典. "守護神とは". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Teeuwen, Mark; Breen, John; Inoue, Nobutaka; Itō, Satoshi (2003). Shinto, a short history. Psychology Press. ISBN 0-415-31179-9.
  9. ^ Hitchcock; Kubrick; Medium, while his favorite film writer is Roger Ebert Twitter (2023-08-04). "Jujutsu Kaisen: What Are the Ubusunagami & Why Are They Important?". Retrieved 2023-12-07. {{cite web}}: |first3= has generic name (help)

Bibliography[edit]

  • 日本史用語研究会 (2 February 2009) [2009-2-2]. 必携日本史用語 (四訂版 ed.). 実教出版. ISBN 9784407316599.
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