Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost tropical prefecture.
In Okinawa, ancient Shinto traditions native to Japan still remain to this day.
This form of Shinto is known as “Ryukyu Shinto.”
In Ryukyu Shinto, women have traditionally served as the principal priests in the worship of nature. As a result, it can be said that women continue to play a significant role in the region’s culture.
I would like to introduce a beautiful Okinawan song called “Warabigami.”
This song is a lullaby with lyrics written in the Okinawan dialect; the lyrics were penned by Koja, a renowned Okinawan folk singer, and the music was composed by her husband. It is said to express the feelings she had upon being blessed with a grandchild. With a sensibility unique to the Japanese—though even Japanese people may not be fully aware of it—the song is composed almost entirely without a subject. I believe this reflects a state of mind in which the “individuality” or “ego” associated with “I” is minimal.
Warabigami
Child is a gift from God
Duet version is better.
NORO
As explained at the beginning, traditional Shinto practices remain deeply rooted in Okinawa.
This is known as “Ryukyu Shinto,” which places great importance on the sun and the eastern direction. Local priests were called “noro” and were women. Their superiors were also all women. The noro received official orders to offer prayers for the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa) and the local community, and to perform rituals in various locations. They were also believed to possess the power to spiritually protect the men of the village. I believe this is an important point not only in modern Shinto but also within individual households. Since women are physically weaker, they are thought to possess greater spiritual power and mental strength.
Currently, the highest-ranking priestess at Ise Grand Shrine—the head of all Shinto shrines—is a princess (Princess Kiyoko Kuroda); however, at shrines other than Ise Grand Shrine, it is often men who serve as chief priests and conduct daily rituals. What this likely signifies is power struggles and conflicts over vested interests among male priests.
Young women also work at shrines as miko (shrine maidens), but their roles are limited to menial tasks and performing ritual dances.
Originally, throughout Japan—just as in Okinawa—priests were women in every location. Yamatohime and Himiko were also women. It is upon the protective energy of all female clergy and female priests that His Majesty the Emperor oversees the entire nation of Japan and offers prayers.
The Noro always carried their own personal incense burners. These were called “Konjin,” and were considered to be the gods themselves; it was believed that the smoke from the incense allowed them to merge with the Sun God and draw closer to the divine state of mind.
In Okinawa, shamans and psychics known as “Yuta” are also famous, and they are almost exclusively women. Originally, their role was to convey the voices of nature spirits, but today, it is said that many of them are impostors who simply listen to people’s personal troubles.
