History of Kumano

There are three stages in Kumano history

1st stage    BC100,000~BC660

2nd stage   BC660~AC552

3rd stage    AC552~ up to now

           

1st stage (BC100,000~BC660)

"Nature"

Kumano history started at BC100,000. At "Joumon" era.

People pray for all kands of nature object, such as mountain, forest, Big stone, fall, sea, water and etc..

We still can see some of them, such as "Gotobiki-iwa , Hanano-iwaya, or Nachino-taki .

Hanano-Iwaya

Gotobiki-Iwa

Nachi Fall

2nd stage (BC660~AC552)

"Shintoism"

After Yamato imperial court has taken power in Japan, so called "Shinto" has become a target of faith of nation.

People prayed at shinto shrine for their faith.

Among shrines that we can see today, "Takaharakumano -jinja" is said one of the oldest shrine along Kumanokodo. It has build around AC1400.

Kumano Hongu Shrine

Takahara Kumano Shrine

3rd stage (AC552~up to now)

"Shintoism & Buddhism"

552, Buddhism has come from China.

Imperial court has put "Shinto" and "Buddhism" combined together and set as national target of faith. 

As a result people prayed at "Shrines" and "Temples" for their faith.

"Seigantoji" is a buddhism temple build in "Kumano Nachi Shrine".

Even though at "Meiji era, there were many movements such as "Jinja Goushi", "Haibutsu Kishaku", "Shinbutsu Bunri",

and while other part of Japan, "Shinto" and "Buddhism" were separated each other, present Kumano religion is keeping the form of "Shinto" and "Buddhism" combined.

Seigantoji (Buddhism Temple) build in Kumano Nachi Shrine

Kumano Hayatama Shrine

Kumano Nachi Shrine

Kumano Hongu Shrine

"Nature" the treasure

Despite of the fact that people go for worshipping their wishes to either shrine or

temple, real treasure of Kumano today is the nature it's self. Having myself at Kumano, I can feel breeze of wind,  breath of tree, so many colors of green leaf.

Please visit Kumano at any time.