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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>
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