Ajime no sahou (The manners of Achi women)

Japanese: 阿知女作法 - あじめのさほう

A song with spell-like lyrics that is recited before the start of a Mikagura ritual and at other important times. It is also called "Achime no Sahou." One poet each from the main and back chants "Ajime oooo" and "Oke" alternately. The shakubyoshi is beaten and the wagoto accompanies the song. It is said to be a form of summoning "Achime" and responding to her, but the meaning of "Achime" is unknown. There are various theories that it is Adome no Isoura, a god of the seabed, or Ame no Uzume.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

御神楽（みかぐら）で，儀式の始まる前その他重要なふしめふしめに唱えられる呪文のような歌詞の曲。〈あちめのさほう〉ともいう。本方（もとかた），末方（すえかた）の歌人各1人が〈あぢめ　おおおお〉〈おけ〉を交互に唱える。笏拍子（しやくびようし）を打ち和琴が伴奏する。〈阿知女〉を呼び出しそれに答える形というが，〈阿知女〉は意味不明。海底の神阿度部磯良（あどめのいそら），天宇受売（あめのうずめ）等の諸説がある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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