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A great diversity of deities or spirits are worshipped additionally in many Ryukyuan communities, in ceremonies, rituals, and festivals which differ, sometimes quite considerably, from place to place. "Visiting spirits," known as ''raihôjin'' (来訪神) in Japanese, form a particularly prominent portion of these celebrations and ceremonies. Miruku, discussed above, is perhaps the most widely-known and widely-worshipped of these "visiting" deities. Others include:<ref>Gallery labels, Okinawa Prefectural Museum.</ref>
A great diversity of deities or spirits are worshipped additionally in many Ryukyuan communities, in ceremonies, rituals, and festivals which differ, sometimes quite considerably, from place to place. "Visiting spirits," known as ''raihôjin'' (来訪神) in Japanese, form a particularly prominent portion of these celebrations and ceremonies. Miruku, discussed above, is perhaps the most widely-known and widely-worshipped of these "visiting" deities. Others include:<ref>Gallery labels, Okinawa Prefectural Museum.</ref>
*the ancestral ''[[angama]]'' spirits (''ushumai'' the grandfather and ''nmii'' the grandmother) of [[Ishigaki Island]], who visit every house on [[Obon]], presenting ''[[hanagasa]]'' dancers
*the ''[[ashibigami]]'' spirits of mountain and sea which visit communities in [[Yanbaru]] and nearby islands
*the ''[[ashibigami]]'' spirits of mountain and sea which visit communities in [[Yanbaru]] and nearby islands
*the ''boze'' of [[Akuseki Island]] (in the [[Tokara Islands]]) - enacted by villagers in large masks and grass skirts wielding long muddied staffs, who bring an energetic finale to each year's [[Obon]]
*the ''boze'' of [[Akuseki Island]] (in the [[Tokara Islands]]) - enacted by villagers in large masks and grass skirts wielding long muddied staffs, who bring an energetic finale to each year's Obon
*the ''[[mayunganashi]]'' of [[Ishigaki Island]], dressed in sedge hats and straw coats, who wield ''[[rokushakubo|rokushakubô]]'' staffs and go around to each house bringing fortune for the new year
*the ''[[mayunganashi]]'' of Ishigaki Island, dressed in sedge hats and straw coats, who wield ''[[rokushakubo|rokushakubô]]'' staffs and go around to each house bringing fortune for the new year
*the ''[[pantu]]'' of [[Miyako Island]], figures covered in mud who visit each home and drive away evil or bad luck
*the ''[[pantu]]'' of [[Miyako Island]], figures covered in mud who visit each home and drive away evil or bad luck
*ancestral ''[[uyagan]]'' spirits welcomed in the Miyako Islands
*ancestral ''[[uyagan]]'' spirits welcomed in the Miyako Islands