Ashibigami

• Okinawan: 遊び神 (ashibigami)

Ashibigami are spirits of the earth and sea worshipped in some Okinawan communities, particularly in the Yanbaru region (the northern section of Okinawa Island) and neighboring islands.

In festivals held in many Yanbaru communities in the 7th month of the lunar calendar, a wild boar said to be sent by the mountain deities is ceremonially shot with arrows by figures representing the sea deities.

References

• Gallery labels, Okinawa Prefectural Museum.[1]