🌟Spirit Snippets #2 -Katakamuna: Ancient Sounds, New Steps

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🌱 Lead-in

It’s been over ten years since I first came across the word “Katakamuna” in a book.
Back then, it felt distant and mysterious.
I learned that the original site no longer existed, and the information available was limited.
So while I was curious, I didn’t dive deeper at the time.

But over the past few years—through visits to spiritual places, small synchronicities, and moments when this ancient sound system started pulling at me again—I found myself wanting to know more.

That curiosity led me to Hokura Shrine, a hillside shrine near Kobe, Japan—full of presence and deeply tied to Katakamuna lore.

I’ve started collecting Katakamuna oracle cards, books, and artwork…
And though I’m still very much learning, I thought I’d share what I’ve discovered so far—for anyone who feels a similar, hard-to-explain pull toward these spirals of sound and meaning.

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🌿 Ancient Origins: A History Both Mysterious and Timeless

Katakamuna is believed to date back not just thousands, but tens of thousands of years.
Some sources suggest anywhere between 12,000 to 100,000 years ago, making it far older than Japan’s Jomon period.

Its re-emergence in modern times is often linked to 1949, when Satsuki Narasaki, a brilliant scientist of the time, discovered the Katakamuna texts in the Rokko mountains of Hyogo Prefecture.

These texts, written in spiral-like characters, are said to describe a two-layered system of reality:
the world we experience every day—the phenomenal world,
and the unseen energetic layer behind it—the latent world, where forms and possibilities begin before appearing in our reality.

I also remember reading—somewhere, in one of the many books I’ve browsed over the years—a story about how these ancient scrolls were revealed.
If I recall correctly, during a scientific survey near a stream or pond in the Rokko mountains,
a researcher was disturbing local wildlife with equipment.

A local person, deeply connected to the land, asked him to stop.
Out of gratitude for honoring that request, the local then shared something remarkable:
a scroll containing the Katakamuna verses.

The researcher was so moved that he copied the characters by hand.
Whether fact or legend, the story lingers with me… like the spirals themselves.

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🌿 A Visit to Hokura Shrine(保久良神社): Walking Into the Story

When I asked for directions at the station, the person simply smiled and said:
“Oh, that shrine? Many people go there.”

But as I started walking up the hill, I noticed something interesting—
I passed only a few people along the way.
And like me, each one was walking alone.

After walking uphill for about 20 to 30 minutes,
the torii gate finally came into view—marking the entrance to the shrine grounds.

Before passing through the gate,
I noticed a statue off to the side—Shine-tsuhiko-no-Mikoto,
a guiding kami said to have appeared riding a turtle, leading none other than Empress Jingū herself on a historic journey.

Then, stepping through the torii,
I continued along the path.

A few steps further up,
I noticed a line of stone statues—the twelve zodiac animals, each one quietly marking the way.

One of the twelve zodiac guardians lining the path—a small dragon with wide eyes and a curling tail

At the purification basin, a dragon sculpture stood watch—its presence steady and grounding.

When I finally arrived at the main shrine, I was lucky.
There were only two or three others, and I was alone most of the time at the shrine.

The air felt open, peaceful—giving me time to linger, breathe, and just… be.

🌿 The Oracle Message I Received That Day

Near one of the sacred stones within the shrine grounds,
I gently placed my Katakamuna oracle deck on the mossy surface.
As I started shuffling…
one card slipped out on its own—like it had something to say.

The card that came out was: Utahi #74 – Yahomarifunami.

According to the guidebook, this chant carries the energy of subtle growth, quiet unfolding, and expansive becoming.

The message felt soft but undeniable:

“Your intention is the seed.
Let it grow.
Let it reach out, branch by branch,
and become more than you ever imagined.”

The guidebook explained it like this:

“From the tiniest seed, a small sprout emerges.
Then branches grow, leaves unfold, new buds appear, and everything keeps expanding.
At first, it’s hard to imagine how big this tree will become.
But never forget—the source of it all is your intention.
That’s what fuels the growth.”

It even asked:

“What is your true wish?
What vision do you want to see?
Is it something material?
Or is it the deeper feeling behind it that you’re really seeking?”

And looking back now—months later—I can honestly say…
I’ve grown.
Little by little, just like the card said.

After spending some time near the sacred stone,
I made my way toward a small, separate space within the shrine grounds dedicated to Amaterasu-Ōmikami,
the sun goddess of Shinto lore.

I paused there for a quiet moment of thanks—
to the sun, to the journey, to whatever unseen threads had brought me here.

And just as I turned to leave…
a beam of soft, pink-white light broke through the trees—
accompanied by strong blue flares, powerful and unmistakable.
It felt like a sudden, visible “yes”…
as if something unseen had decided to make itself known—just for a moment.

🌿 Moving From Sound to Movement: A Joyful Introduction

And if you’re wondering how these chants feel when voice and movement come together…
here’s a vibrant performance:
Katakamuna Utahi #69, brought to life through dance, taiko drums, and traditional Japanese flutes.

It’s bright, playful, and full of life.

▶️ Watch: Katakamuna Utahi #69 Dance Performance by Shimako Sarumaru

You don’t need to understand the words—
just watch, listen, and let the rhythm speak.

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🌿 Looking Ahead…

The sounds still linger…
Questions remain unanswered…

And in the space between knowing and wondering—
new ripples begin.

Walking this path with Katakamuna,
I can’t help but feel that something will unfold…
and reveal what we’re meant to see—when the time is right.

For now, I’m following where the sounds lead.

If you’re curious too…
stay with me.
This journey is still unfolding.

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🕊️ Kaha’s Note

And something else stayed with me…
As I stood there, reading the names of the kami honored at this shrine—
Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto, Ōtoshi-Mioya-no-Mikoto, Shine-tsuhiko-no-Mikoto,
and even Amaterasu-Ōmikami in her own small space within the grounds—
I felt a quiet kind of recognition.

Especially Susanoo, Okuninushi, and Amaterasu…
seeing their names together stirred something inside me.

And when I noticed the name of Empress Jingū (Jingū Kōgō)—
a figure known for strength, intuition, and historic journeys—
it felt like yet another soft nudge…
as if this visit wasn’t entirely by chance.

Some threads…
you only see clearly after walking a little further.

And some…
are just beginning to hum.

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📚 If you liked this post, you may also enjoy:

✅Published Posts

👉 Spirit Snippets | #1 | Your Name Has a Spell
Exploring the energy and meaning hidden in your name through Katakamuna sounds.

👉Divine Thread | Pre-#1 | The Lineage of the Kami: A Gentle Introduction
A first look at the deities of Japanese mythology—and how their stories weave into daily life.

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📌 Upcoming Posts: (Work in Progress)

👉 Spirit Snippets | #3 | Healing with Katakamuna (Work in Progress)
How ancient chants hold resonance for healing body, mind, and spirit.

👉 Spirit Snippets | #4 | Manifestation with Katakamuna (Work in Progress)
Tapping into the power of intention through sound and sacred syllables.

👉 Spirit Snippets | #5 | Connecting to the Source of the Universe (Work in Progress)
Exploring how Katakamuna chants echo the origin of all creation—and our connection to it.

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🔗 Explore More

Want to explore more places and stories in Japan? Browse the Rainbow Map. Explore the full map of this blog—colorful paths, hidden turns, and all.
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