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In addition to the creator deities Shinerikyo and Amamikyo, the sun ([[Okinawan language|O]]: ''tiida'') was also of great significance, and the king was considered "the son of the sun" (太陽子, ''tedako''). A sacred [[hearth deity]] was also maintained, at Shuri castle by the ''kikoe-ôgimi'' for the whole kingdom, for each individual village by the local ''noro'', and in each individual home as well.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42759-storytopic-121.html Hinokami]." Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.; Gregory Smits. ''Visions of Ryukyu: Identity and Ideology in Early-Modern Thought and Politics''. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1999. p165.</ref>

In addition to the creator deities Shinerikyo and Amamikyo, the sun ([[Okinawan language|O]]: ''tiida'') was also of great significance, and the king was considered "the son of the sun" (太陽子, ''tedako''). A sacred [[hearth deity]] was also maintained, at Shuri castle by the ''kikoe-ôgimi'' for the whole kingdom, for each individual village by the local ''noro'', and in each individual home as well.<ref>"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42759-storytopic-121.html Hinokami]." Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.; Gregory Smits. ''Visions of Ryukyu: Identity and Ideology in Early-Modern Thought and Politics''. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1999. p165.</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. A few examples of these ceremonies or festivals include the [[Tanadui festival]] and other planting and harvesting-related observances, performed most famously on [[Taketomi Island]], but taking distinctive forms in communities throughout the [[Sakishima Islands]]; ceremonial [[boar]] hunts performed in [[Yanbaru]] in connection with the ''[[ashibigami]]'' of land and sea; festivals welcoming back the ancestral ''[[uyagan]]'' spirits in the [[Miyako Islands]]; and various ceremonies christening new boats or praying for safe voyages.<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 ''[[ashibigami]]'' spirits of mountain and sea which visit communities in [[Yanbaru]] and nearby islands

*ancestral ''[[uyagan]]'' spirits welcomed in the [[Miyako Islands]]

 

 

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