🌿Lead-In
In the previous article (Divine Thread #4), we explored the ancient mythology of Mount Miwa—a sacred mountain where the deity has long been worshipped without a main sanctuary, and where stories of a serpent god and a shamanic princess have been passed down through the centuries.
But Mount Miwa is more than a place of ancient legends.
Its traditions continue to be lived today.
On the first day of each month, Omiwa Shrine welcomes worshippers who come to take part in customs that have been passed down for generations. During one of these monthly visits, I had the opportunity to experience a tradition that quietly connects people with the sacred mountain to this day.
The gateway to a living tradition.
⛩️ Tsuitachi-mairi — A New Month Begins
The first day of each month is known as Tsuitachi in Japanese, and visiting a shrine on this day is called Tsuitachi-mairi (お朔日参り).
Rather than asking for new blessings alone, worshippers first offer thanks for the divine protection they received during the previous month before praying for continued guidance in the month ahead.
At Omiwa Shrine, the atmosphere is especially vibrant on this day. From around midnight, people begin arriving one after another to pray. At 10:00 a.m., the Tsukinami-sai (月次祭:Monthly Ritual) is held at the worship hall, where visitors are welcome to attend. The ceremony includes prayers offered by Shinto priests, the recitation of the Ōharae no Kotoba (大祓詞), sacred kagura music and dance, and a dance performed by shrine maidens.
The shrine grounds also host a popular morning market featuring fresh vegetables and seasonal flowers from the local area, making the monthly visit both a spiritual and community tradition.
🌲 Osugi — A Sacred Gift from Mount Miwa
Among the traditions of Tsuitachi-mairi, one of the most distinctive is the receiving of Osugi (お杉), sacred cedar branches from Mount Miwa.
Receiving Osugi at Omiwa Shrine
Each branch is decorated with shide, the zigzag paper streamers used in Shinto to mark something as sacred. At home, the cedar is traditionally displayed on a household altar in place of sakaki, allowing worshippers to continue their connection with the sacred mountain throughout the month. It is believed to help ward off illness, misfortune, and other forms of adversity. As a symbol of purification, Osugi is offered only on the first day of each month.
A Newly Received Osugi
On the following first day of the month, the cedar is returned to the shrine, where it is respectfully burned in a sacred fire. A new branch is then received, continuing a cycle of gratitude, prayer, and renewal that has been passed down for generations.
Returning the Previous Month’s Osugi
Although simple in appearance, this monthly exchange beautifully expresses the relationship between the mountain, the shrine, and the people who continue to visit it.
As I watched people returning cedar branches that had turned brown over the course of a month, I was reminded of a conversation I once had at Ise Jingū.
During a summer visit, I noticed that the sacred branches on one of the shrine gates had already dried and asked a guide whether they were replaced every day. I was told that they did not need to be replaced daily, and that even after drying, they continued to serve their sacred purpose.
Seeing the returned Osugi, I found myself thinking of that moment again. The cedar may change with time, but the prayer and gratitude it represents continue until it is respectfully returned to the shrine.
🦉Kuehiko no Kami — The God of Wisdom
Beyond the main worship hall, Omiwa Shrine is home to numerous smaller shrines dedicated to different deities.
One of them is Kuehiko Shrine, dedicated to Kuehiko no Kami, the Shinto deity of wisdom, knowledge, and learning.
According to the Kojiki (The Records of Ancient Matters), Kuehiko no Kami is believed to know everything in the world without ever leaving his place. Although he is unable to walk and is associated with a kakashi (scarecrow), he is said to possess knowledge of all things.
One of the best-known episodes tells how Ōkuninushi no Ōkami and the other deities were unable to identify a small god who had arrived from across the sea. Only Kuehiko no Kami recognized the visitor as Sukunahikona no Mikoto, revealing his identity and helping the creation of the land continue.
For this reason, Kuehiko no Kami has long been revered as a deity of wisdom, learning, and insight. Today, many people visit the shrine to pray for success in their studies, research, careers, and important decisions in life.
Although modest in size, the shrine has a quiet yet unmistakable presence.
Stone steps leading to Kuehiko Shrine
The approach begins with a flight of stone steps. As I climbed them, Kuehiko Shrine came into view at the top.
A place for prayer
Beside the shrine is a small place for prayer, where visitors quietly offer their wishes before continuing their walk through the sacred grounds.
The bamboo grove
Beyond the shrine, a bamboo-lined path continues through the grounds, adding another peaceful corner to the sacred landscape of Mount Miwa.
An owl watching over the shrine
In Japan, owls are regarded as symbols of both wisdom and good fortune.
The Japanese word fukurō is sometimes associated with auspicious expressions such as 不苦労, meaning “free from hardship,” and 福来郎, suggesting “good fortune comes.”
Seeing an owl beside the shrine dedicated to the deity of wisdom felt especially fitting.
About Kuehiko Shrine The sign explains that Kuehiko no Kami is revered as the guardian deity of wisdom, learning, academic success, and professional achievement. According to the Kojiki, he is a deity who “knows everything in the world without walking anywhere,” making him a longstanding symbol of knowledge and insight.
🌳Kaha’s Note
I had wanted to visit Omiwa Shrine for Tsuitachi-mairi for quite some time, but the opportunity never seemed to come.
Although I wasn’t able to experience every part of the day’s events, and the larger crowds meant I couldn’t take my time exploring the shrine as I usually do, the visit still felt special. Receiving the sacred Osugi brought a quiet sense of joy, and I could feel an atmosphere unlike an ordinary day at the shrine.
Perhaps it was simply my imagination, but when so many people gathered to pray with gratitude and hope, it felt as though the shrine itself was filled with an even stronger spiritual energy.
Omiwa Shrine is also known for its sacred spring water, Gokōzui (ご神水), so I filled a bottle to share with a friend before returning home.
As I walked through the shrine grounds, I found myself reflecting on the role that shrines and temples have long played in Japan. They are not only places of worship, but also places where communities come together, where traditions are passed on, and where people are reminded to care for one another.
Respect for nature, gratitude for the Earth, and reverence for the unseen are values that continue to be quietly preserved through these traditions. To me, they remain among Japan’s most precious cultural treasures.
🌈 Explore More
I have recently begun sharing more photos and short videos on Instagram, including sacred places, seasonal details, and quiet moments from my visits across Japan. Photos from Omiwa Shrine, including Mount Miwa, Osugi, and other scenes from the shrine grounds, will also be introduced there.
▶ Rainbow Awakening on Instagram: @8rainbowawakening.jp ✨
🌐You may also enjoy the previous article in this series: Divine Thread #4 │ Divine Union at Mount Miwa
📹You can also watch a short video from Mount Miwa here: Mount Miwa Short Video on YouTube
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