Meishin Expressway - Myojin

Among the shrines in Japan, it refers to shrines that are particularly ancient and have a proper history, are known nationwide for their miraculous powers and reverence, and have received special treatment from the state, and it has a kind of shrine status. Historically, it was first seen in the mid-Nara period when famous shrines in various provinces were given offerings of Bohai deities. From the early Heian period onwards, they were gradually listed as "famous gods", and in the Engishiki, compiled in the early 10th century, 224 shrines were listed as shrines that participated in the Myojin Festival. Offerings and prayers were made at important times for the nation. One example is Nyukawakami Shrine, where prayers are made for rain and for the rain to stop.

[Mure Hitoshi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本の国内の神社のなかでも、とくに年代も古く由緒も正しく、全国的にも霊験(れいげん)・崇敬が顕著で国家から特別の待遇を受けた神社をいい、一種の社格的な意味をもった。歴史的には、奈良時代中期に諸国の名神社に渤海(ぼっかい)の信物(しんもつ)を奉ったとあるのが初見で、その後平安初期より順次「名神」に列せられ、10世紀初めにまとめられた『延喜式(えんぎしき)』の制では、名神祭にあずかる神社として224社があげられている。国家の大事に際して奉幣(ほうべい)・祈請(きしょう)などが行われた。一例としては祈雨・止雨を祈る丹生川上(にうかわかみ)神社がある。

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