Ryukyu Women Wearing White Robes

What Should We Call Them?

They are a special sort of people, performing important rituals in the Ryukyu Islands.

Pictured above, are five of these ladies on the island of Kouri-Jima, yesterday morning.

Coronavirus has canceled many cultural events on the islands this year but, not this one.

It's obvious, watching these gals, they are praying so, it's some sort of religious event.

There are questions, to be asked, just to satisfy my curiosity and maybe, other folk's, too.

It's such a solemn-looking ceremony, I can't just say, "Hey Lady, what's going on?"

Another Island - More Women in White Robes

Afternoon provided an opportunity to photograph more ladies wearing those white outfits.

Back on the main island of Okinawa, in the village of Ogimi, similar ceremonies took place.

 Many times, I've attended gatherings like this, and the question arises.

Are the gals in the white robes, Kaminchu, Noro, or Yuta?

Priestesses, of some sort, I guess you could call them. I'm sorta a shy individual.

Whenever I want to ask one of them something, I try to be polite and respectful.

"Nene, Can I ask you what that thing is, you're wearing in your hair?" 

To me, they are special people so, I call them Nenes.

Noro or Nuru, would be the terminology a local would consider these women to be.

From Wikipedia:

"Noro (祝女, sometimes 神女 or 巫女) (Okinawan: ヌール nuuru^[1]) are priestesses of the Ryukyuan religion at Utaki. They have existed since at least the beginning of the Gusuku Period (late 12th century) and continue to perform rituals even today. They are distinct from yuta [ja] (psychics), but are classified as kaminchu ("godly people")."

Okinawan Folktale: Sacrifice a Virgin

Serpent of Yara Muruchi

Over 700 years ago an enormous, dragon-like serpent lived in Yara Muruchi Pond.

It was believed cycles of 7 months drought and 7 months of storms were caused by this monster.

King Gihon (1248-1260) consulted a shaman (yuta) concerning the problem.

The severe weather caused economic losses for the fisherman and farmers of the island.

The elderly woman, he talked to, was a person with extraordinary psychic powers.

She claimed, a 20 year old virgin girl, must be sacrificed to appease this demon of a dragon.

Then, farmers and fishermen, would have fair weather and the economic situation would improve.

The yuta told the king to have an altar and an incense burner built, overlooking the pond.

She would officiate (in private) rituals to placate the monster, serpent.

King Gihon, was already unpopular with the islanders because of economic losses.

Now, he had to devise a way to get someone's young daughter for a sacrifice.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ?

The king devised a plan, that would lessen his guilt in dealing with the wicked soothsayer.

He would insure, that no men would have to take part in the old woman's demonic rituals.

Couriers were dispatched throughout the kingdom, delivering messages to each village.

The family, willing to sacrifice a maiden, would live as royalty, the rest of their lives.

Filial Loyalty

One attractive young maiden stunned her family, volunteering to offer herself.

She would give her life in order to benefit family, community and country.

It may have driven her parents to madness but, it would end everyone's misery.

In a private meeting with the yuta, the girl was questioned extensively by the old woman.

She wanted to know the youngster's Zodiac sign, favorite foods, colors and fertility cycle.

From this conference, the shaman decided, when the sacrifice would take place.

It would be on the night of the full moon, during the sixth month, by the Lunar calendar.

Nervously the girl asked, “Will I be ravished, eaten alive or, both?”

The elder replied, “That is something, only the gods in heaven know.”

She was told to return on the appointed day before sunset, wearing her finest clothes.

The Fateful Night

An hour before the sun went down the maiden arrived at Yara Muruchi.

She was met by the yuta, carrying a wicker basket, on the road above the pond.

The priestess assured the girl, no other villagers would witness the event.

It was a hot and humid summer night. Slowly they walked down the forest trail.

Their sandals stirred up scents of decaying leaves and, the buzzing of mosquitoes.

Cicada bugs chirped loudly in the trees surrounding the wooded area.

Nearing the pond, the priestess stopped, placing her basket on the ground.

She instructed the girl, to remove her undergarments fold them and put them on the altar.

Apprehensive as she was, she did as she was told.

No one disobeys or, questions a Ryukyu yuta.

The shaman brought her ritual container to the altar and placed some burning incense.

She sprinkled flower petals and liquid scents on the offerings and clapped her hands twice.

She ordered the girl, to walk near the water's to edge where she should stand and pray.

The yuta began muttering and praying, in some unintelligible language.

The water rippling in the pond, suddenly raged and roared, as the monster appeared.

High above the pond, it hissed and stared down at the girl.

The sound of her knees knocking, drowned out the noises forest insects had been making.

Imagine her prayer - “Just one big swallow, please!”

Then it happened. An angry god, tossed a golden sphere.

It hit the serpent in the head and exploded. The monster disappeared, never to be seen again.

Aftermath

The virgin was spared. She would become the bride of a royal prince.

Her family was invited to live in the castle and cared for, the remainder of their lives.

Periods of drought and floods ended and, the islands prospered once more.

Every year, on the 15^th day of the 6^th month, by the Chinese calendar a ritual takes place.

Villagers pray at the altar and, toss eggs (gold spheres) into Yara Muruchi pond.


More Okinawan Folklore

Okinawan Folktale: A Red and a Blue Ball

Bad Fortune

 

 

 

A child was singled out from among his friends and, patted on the head. 

The Yuta (shaman) who had approached him said, something bad was going to happen.

Without explaining, he walked away, leaving the boy frightened.

The child ran home and told his father, what had happened.

Papa, got directions and went to see the Yuta.

The Yuta explained, the boy would soon die, even though he was only 8 years old.

The father, begged the shaman, to help him change the boy's fate.

There was no one, on earth, who could change the child's future.  Maybe, the gods could.

The Gods of the Southern Cross and North Star visited once a year.

They would get together at a secret location in the central mountains.

On the first day of the New Year, they would play a game of Japanese Chess, called Go.

If a human were to prepare them a feast, they may listen to a person's requests.

The Yuta explained what to prepare and gave directions to the secret grove.

New Year's Day

 

 

 

 

The father cooked plenty of grains, vegetables, meats, fish and, made a large pot of tea.

When he reached the location in the mountains, the gods were already playing.

Staring intently at the board game, they didn't notice the human approach.

He placed the food and drink near them and, remained silent.

Before long, they started consuming the feast but, never took their eyes off the game.

A game of Go would last for hours and hours.

When the game ended, the father decided to speak on behalf of his child.

He asked the gods, if his child would be able to live a full lifetime.

Southern Cross God was sympathetic towards the father.

But, the North Star God became angry and grumbled aloud.

"Lifespan is determined by me, on the day of birth.  Nobody can change it."

Then, the gods started another game of Go.

While they played, the father continued filling their plates and pouring green tea. 

Patience and Persistance

For hours, they steadily eyed the game board while, ignoring the man.

Eventually, the Southern Cross God spoke to the North Star God.

"This human prepared a feast and traveled a long way to serve us.

It is the beginning of a new year.  Let's see what we can do for him in return for his kindness."

Southern Star God said a decision would come later and, gave the father two balls.

He was instructed to give the blue ball to his son and, the red one to the Yuta.

Time Goes By

 

 

The boy kept his gift from the gods for the rest of his life.

He grew up to be handsome, healthy, wealthy, popular and, lived to be 88 years old.

The red ball, given to the Yuta, was placed in a special, wooden box.

It contained all of his shamanistic materials.

It turns out, the ball was an agent for spontaneous combustion.

All the tools of the Yuta's trade became a heap of black ashes and, he was ruined.

The meeting place of the Southern Star God and North Star God has never been found again.

The age of 88 is called Tokachi, in Okinawa.

This is considered the beginning of old age and, is an occasion celebrated by friends and family.

Reference:

Folktales of Okinawa ISBN4-947654-05-8 P.97

Condensed from: The Red and Blue Balls 

MORE OKINAWA FOLKLORE