Changes

*''Okinawan/Yaeyama'': 御嶽 ''(utaki / on)''

*''Okinawan/Yaeyama'': 御嶽 ''(utaki / on)''

''Utaki'' are sacred spaces in the indigenous animistic [[Ryukyuan religion]], the sites of religious rituals performed by priestesses known as ''[[noro]]'' or ''tsukasa'', as well as more private, individual worship. Often consisting of groves of trees surrounded by stone walls, ''utaki'' were frequently maintained within the inner sections of Okinawan ''[[gusuku]]'' fortresses. They are one of several types of sites known as ''uganju'' 拝所 ("places of worship"), along with sacred springs (''kaa''), household altars, and small roadside altars.<ref>Aike Rots, "Strangers in the Sacred Grove: The Changing Meanings of Okinawan Utaki," ''Religions'' 10:298 (2019), 2.</ref>

''Utaki'' are sacred spaces in the indigenous animistic [[Ryukyuan religion]], the sites of religious rituals performed by priestesses known as ''[[noro]]'' or ''tsukasa'', as well as more private, individual worship. Often consisting of groves of trees with minimal manmade elements, ''utaki'' were frequently maintained within the inner sections of Okinawan ''[[gusuku]]'' fortresses. They are one of several types of sites known as ''uganju'' 拝所 ("places of worship"), along with sacred springs (''kaa''), household altars, and small roadside altars.<ref name=aike2>Aike Rots, "Strangers in the Sacred Grove: The Changing Meanings of Okinawan Utaki," ''Religions'' 10:298 (2019), 2.</ref>

''Utaki'' are known as ''on'' in the [[Yaeyama language]].

''Utaki'' are known as ''on'' in the [[Yaeyama language]].

Most ''utaki'' are dedicated to the worship of deities or spirits of protection for the village, or to the deities coming from ''[[nirai kanai]]'', the spiritual source or land of the gods far across the sea. ''Utaki'' in the royal capital of [[Shuri]] are also dedicated to the protection of the king, or of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|kingdom]].<ref>"Shuri ma~i" 首里ま～い. Pamphlet. Naha City Board of Education Cultural Properties Division 那覇市教育委員会文化財課, 1989.</ref>

Most ''utaki'' are dedicated to the worship of deities or spirits of protection for the village, or to the deities coming from ''[[nirai kanai]]'', the spiritual source or land of the gods far across the sea. ''Utaki'' in the royal capital of [[Shuri]] are also dedicated to the protection of the king, or of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|kingdom]].<ref>"Shuri ma~i" 首里ま～い. Pamphlet. Naha City Board of Education Cultural Properties Division 那覇市教育委員会文化財課, 1989.</ref>

Generally, a large stone or tree marks the center of an ''utaki''; small [[incense]] burners and platforms for placing offerings are often arranged there. A particular type of sacred tree, called ''kuba'' or ''shuro'', is also common within ''utaki''. In many ''utaki'', there is a particularly sacred area called ''ibi'', where men are forbidden from entering; ''noro'' priestesses and other women known as ''kaminchu'' (lit. "people of the gods") perform rituals at a spot nearby called ''kami asagi'' or ''tun'', to call down the spirits.<ref>Plaques at Ryukyumura.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15618268576/sizes/k/]</ref>

Generally, a large stone or tree marks the center of an ''utaki''; small [[incense]] burners and platforms for placing offerings are often arranged there. A particular type of sacred tree, called ''kuba'' or ''shuro'', is also common within ''utaki''. In many ''utaki'', there is a particularly sacred area called ''ibi'', where men are forbidden from entering; ''noro'' priestesses and other women known as ''kaminchu'' (lit. "people of the gods") perform rituals at a spot nearby called ''kami asagi'' or ''tun'', to call down the spirits.<ref>Plaques at Ryukyumura.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15618268576/sizes/k/]</ref> While some ''utaki'' today have worship halls or some other form of building-like structure, and/or a [[torii]] gate, these are almost exclusively 20th century additions.<ref name=aike2/>

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