As explained previously Izanagi Jingu Shrine), Izanagi, a father god of Japan, purified himself in the ocean after coming back from the dead land where his wife lived after her death. Shinto priests cast a famous Shinto Prayer called “Harae-kotoba” (words for purification) in front of gods’ alter in the dwelling as their daily duty and some festivals . Here is the content of the words.
Words of purification (祓詞)
掛まくも畏き 伊邪那岐大神
筑紫の日向の橘の小戸の阿波岐原に
禊祓へ給ひし時に成りませる祓戸大神等
諸諸の禍事罪穢有らむをば
祓へ給ひ清め給へと白す事を聞食せと
恐み恐も白す
[Interpretation]
Dear Purification gods,
Although it’s too awesome to speak his name out of my mouth, you were borne when The Great God Izanagi purified himself in an ocean called Awagigahara, located in Odo district of Tachibana area in Hyuga of Chikushi. If there are various unfortunates/sins in me, please accept my plea and purify those.
(Retrieved on 2012/10/2 from http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~tsutaya/newpage14.htm)
Reading from the English interpretation, you may find information on the ocean’s place where Izanagi purified himself. Namely, the ocean was called Awagigahara and located in Odo district of Tachibana in Hyuga in the land of Chikushi. Chikushi is an old name of Kyushu and Hyuga is currently Miyazaki Prefecture.
The Shrine is located in the side of O-yodo River in Miyazaki. A delta area in the river's lower reach used to be called Odo district. The seashore called Awagigahara, located near from Miyazaki Sea Gaia-a report/entertaiment complex with luxury hotels like Sheraton, Spa, Gold yard etc, is a bit far from the shrine but the seashore could be within the former Odo district.
To enshrine the very place that the father god purified himself, the 12th Emperor Keikou (Yamato Takeru's father; see ) ordered to establish this shrine about 1,900 years ago.
Now, this shrine is popular among people who needs purification. More importantly, since Izanagi is legendarily the first "husband" to somebody in Japanese history, people who need partners would visit the shrine and pray in front of the sanctuary to get the one.
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