【Designated by the City：Tangible Folk】Akazaki Utaki Sacred Site

The enshrined deity at Akazaki Utaki is Ufuyununusu-tuyumya, who watches over the productiveness and fertility of soil and said to be one of the 12 gods that Nenohanu-uma-tida gave birth to. Celebrations are held three times a year on the days of kinoe-uma. The site has long been revered on the island as a primary sacred spot in Shimoji Districe along with Akana-gu. Akazaki District, extending into the sea, has the god’s well, and during the cerebration, a ritual is held where a priest forecasts the year’s fortune, and whether an epidemic or a typhoon will hit the island, using a handful of millet bran harvested from the god’s field located west of Shimoji Junior High School.

Shirakawauji-Hassei-Shimoji-Pechin-Keiwa went to the capital as a superintendent of a ledger in 1673, when he was Yonaha-yunchu. On the way back, his ship was cast up on China by an adverse wind. After eight years of hardships, he sailed for home together with 21 other survivors. (The record of the year of the Ox.) Keiwa was a fervent believer of Akazaki Utaki, and therefore he chanted the god’s name and devoted himself to the god during the voyage. One night, at midnight, the ship reached a coast, which turned out to be the shore down Akazaki Utaki.
Those onboard thanked the god’s power for their safe return. After that, they revered the Utaki as their guardian and offered money to hold festivals every year.