What is the difference between the two gods who protect the land, "Ujigami" and "Chinju"? The history and role of the gods who protect the region
1)
When people face difficulties, they have been seen to ask for help from gods throughout history and worldwide. In particular, in Japanese society, where local and blood ties were significant, the culture of entrusting prayers to gods protecting the land was deeply rooted.
Two gods, "Uji-Gami" and "Chin-Giu," symbolize this culture.
Both are important figures who protect the region, but their origins and roles differ.
2)
What is an "Uji-Gami" ?
Ujigami originally began as guardian deities that worshipped the ancestors of influential clans in the region.
Although faith in "Uji-Gami" was limited to the aristocratic class in the Nara and Heian periods, it gradually spread to the general public. It became worshipped as a god who protected the entire region and became today's "Uji-Gami."
3)
In particular, Uji-Gami became a familiar and essential presence for people as a god who protected the land where they were born and raised, and it attracted many believers as local guardian deities.
4)
One rite for this Uji-Gami is the shrine visit for children, which is still held today. A shrine visit is a traditional event in which a child visits the Uji-Gami to be recognized as a new land member.
This is to deepen ties with the local community and obtain the gods' protection.
5)
What is a Chin-Giu?
After the Heian period, clan society declined with the rise of the samurai, and the manor system was established. Manors were private land owned by aristocrats and temples, and feudal lords began to worship new shinju as gods to protect their land.
6)
A Chin-Giu is a god who protects a specific piece of land. In ancient times, Chin-Giu was worshipped for each piece of land in hopes of safety and prosperity.
7)
In this way, Chin-Giu beliefs are slightly different from Uji-Gami beliefs. They became important, especially to manor lords, as gods that protected the comprehensive range of land. The original Uji-Gami was sometimes worshipped as Chin-Giu, taking over that role.
For this reason, the Uji-Gami and Chin-Giu merged over time, and the two came to coexist as gods that protected the region.
8)
The belief in Uji-Gami and Chin-Giu temporarily declined during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, but these beliefs became popular again in the Edo period. During this period, the distinction between Uji-Gami and Chin-Giu became unclear, and both came to be worshipped by residents as "gods that protect the land."
9)
In the culture of the ordinary people of the Edo period, Uji-Gami and Chin-Giu played an even more critical role as gods praying for the safety and prosperity of the region.
10)
In addition, worshipping origami and shinju became a common custom at festivals and events in each region.
In this way, both were deeply rooted in people's lives in ways that suited their respective eras and continued to be widely worshipped as gods that supported the region and its people.
11)
While Uji-Gami and Chin-Giu changed form according to the context of each era, they were deeply connected to people's lives as essential beings that supported local communities.
12)
These beliefs are not merely religious rituals but are deeply rooted in the people's hearts and are still passed down today as symbols of the region's bonds and culture.
Even as times change, our feelings for the gods who protect our communities continue to live on
What is the difference between the two gods who protect the land, "Ujigami" and "Chinju"? The history and role of the gods who protect the region
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