Utaki – the sacred site in Okinawa

Is it “god”, “kamisama”, “hotokesama” or “noro”? –How different is Okinawa’s religion?

Okinawan people believe in the spiritual world and honor various “gods” in the nature. For example “god of the hearth” or “god of the well”; they also worship their ancestors’ sprits; and of course there is Shinto, Buddhism and Christianity.

Hinukan or “god of the hearth” at Nakijin Castle ruins.

Every region has a legend related to its origin. Here in Okinawa, we believe in a legendary creator named Amamikiyo who descended to build an island with homes for “gods” to settle.

“Gods in the nature” is called Utaki in the local dialect and there are many of those sacred prayer areas in Okinawa. Utaki is usually located in a forested grove and looked after by the area’s high priestess or “noro”.

What you find here in this picture is Seifa Utaki in Nanjo city (former Chinen village). It is the most sacred prayer site on Okinawa. In the Ryukyu Kingdom era, new kings acceding to the throne visited the site first after making a brief stop at Sono-Hyan Utaki, which is located right across from their residence Shuri castle. The site was also used for the inauguration of Ryukyu Kingdom’s highest ranking priestesses, Kikoe Ogimi who held extremely important advisory positions within Okinawa’s ancient society.

Large triangular shaped space is created by two huge rocks.
Going through this nanural tunnel, you will come to the most sacred prayer site on Okinawa island.

Many local residents still visit here to pray with offerings (right). On the tray, mandarine oranges, round shaped rice cakes (Mochi), Awamori, water and rice are placed.

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