Question: Ever wondered where paper gets its blessing? That is what the story of \u5ca1\u592a\u795e\u793e is all about. We are standing before a unique place. It is the only shrine in Japan dedicated to Kawakami Gozen. She is the goddess of paper.
Around 1500 years ago, legend says the goddess appeared. She came upstream along the Okamoto River in Echizen. There, she taught local villagers papermaking skills. People called her Kawakami Gozen. This means “Upper River”. She has been worshipped as a goddess ever since. These events are in a historical text from the year 926 CE. It is called the Engishiki Jinmyouchou. It documents existing Japanese shrines.
Plans for \u5ca1\u592a\u795e\u793e started long ago. It was during the reign of Empress Suiko from 593 to 628 C.E. A man named \u014ctomo Murashigi \u014ctaki suggested the area for spiritual practice. In 719, a Buddhist monk named Taich\u014d visited the area. Taich\u014d founded \u014ctaki Shrine’s first structure. This made it a safe place for the goddess of paper.
Initially, the \u014ctaki worship hall was a temple. Later, it became a shrine during the Meiji Period. This happened when the government separated Shinto from Buddhism. Since then, \u014ctaki Shrine has lasted through the ages. The shrine’s devotion to the goddess of paper remains today.
\u5ca1\u592a\u795e\u793e actively supports Echizen’s papermaking community. This makes the area a holy land of papermaking. The shrine is also called Okamoto Otaki Shrine. It is located in Echizen.
Okamoto and \u014ctaki Shrine share a main hall. The roof has two curved gables. There are also angled gables. The main hall shows Edo period architecture. It became an important cultural property in 1984. Architects know the main hall for its unique style. The best way to feel the shrine’s peace is to visit in person.
Every year, a festival honors the goddess of paper. It takes place from May 3 to 5. The festival features a portable shrine. This shrine holds the goddess of paper. On May 3, villagers bring the goddess from the inner sanctuary to the main hall. On May 4, they perform rituals and prayers. The festival ends on May 5 with a parade. The goddess visits local shrines, homes, and studios. At night, they return her to the inner sanctuary.
The Okamoto-\u014ctaki festival keeps traditional practices alive. In 2018, the festival celebrated its 1300th anniversary. A grand festival commemorated the occasion. A visual of the goddess appeared for the first time in 8 years at Go\u014d Shrine. The inner sanctuary opened to visitors for the first time in 50 years. Eight sacred texts were displayed. A lecture discussed the texts and area history.
\u5ca1\u592a\u795e\u793e stands as a testament to the importance of paper. The shrine’s history is rich. It is a cultural landmark worth cherishing. Take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship and devotion. Remember the goddess watching over this vital art.