Cleyera: Conversations on Shinto

YouTube video by ANTI- Records Tom Waits - "God's Away On Business"

It's Kannazuki, folks, and you know what that means!

Now sitting for a podcast recording!

Folks, we are sitting down imminently for a new episode of Cleyera, in which we will attempt a rerecording of the very first episode. We welcome any questions about Shinto you may wish to send our way.

This episode helped me understand what I saw when I visited Kanda Myojin Shrine.

Cleyera Episode #15- Chozu Your Adventure Cleyera: Conversations on Shinto · Episode

Where on earth have we been? Never mind that, let's talk about Shinto shrines, shrine architecture, and robots that pull fortunes. #CleyeraPodcast Episode 15 is "Chozu Your Adventure." #Shinto #podcasts #JapaneseHistory

Of course, this particular rendition is not a primary source of the Battle of Yashima. But if you've learned anything from us here on Cleyera, I hope one thing you've learned is that words have spirit (kotodama), and thus, stories have power, mundane and otherworldly.

Thank you for listening. 🙇‍♀️

I also think it's interesting the way it's presented here-- starting from Hachiman-sama and then *specifically* naming the Nasu family's hometown gods, and then in the same breath saying "make me mess up if I lose my nerve and go home."

But let's remember that while Nasu no Yoichi prayed to Hachiman-sama, he also had the "sweat equity" of longtime practice in archery.

So the lesson I (Nyri) take from this is, our gods hear us in our time of need, but we need to do our own part, too, in the training and in the doing.

Of course, the delivery of this prayer is particularly over-the-top-- he's making an entreaty and offering his life if the gods don't help him.

And sure enough, as the story goes, the gods came through.

And of course, not only did the arrow strike its mark, it pinned the fan to the mast of the Heike ship.

"...I ask that you help me strike the center of that fan!
If I miss it, I shall break my bow in half and take my own life
And nevermore shall I show my face to others!
If I dare once think of turning back for my home province,
Then make my arrow miss its mark!"

Then he opened his eyes and drew.

According to this retelling, Nasu no Yoichi prayed thus:

"Hail, Great Bodhisattva Hachiman!
And I call in particular on my home country's gods:
Utsu-no-miya, avatar of the Sun
And you, Great Radiant Kami of the Nasu Spring...

YouTube video by Promusica Nipponia 4種の琵琶（楽琵琶・平家琵琶・薩摩琵琶・筑前琵琶）解説と演奏

A Heike-biwa ballad presented in this concert of 4 different types of biwa tells one version of the story that gives a particularly moving and honestly somewhat gut-wrenching rendition of the prayer. It's in the 5th "chapter" here, starting from the timestamp:

youtu.be/ZvZo51QYMxw?...

Enrōsai Shigemitsu's Edo period depiction of Nasu no Yoichi at the Battle of Dan no Ura in 1185

Arguably the most famous prayer uttered to Hachiman-ōkami is that of Nasu no Yoichi at the Battle of Yashima in 1185. Taunted by one of the Heike men on that clan's boats, who waved around a fan with a sun disc on it, Yoichi prayed to Hachiman-sama to help him land the shot. 🧵

I… came across someone on Threads claiming to walk the path of “Gongen Yose Miko” who was also claiming they teach Shinto, and for anyone with a real background in Shinto, this was the biggest headache I’ve ever participated in

I feel stressed, but I also feel like this is a reminder to Be Careful

#Shinto
They are their own beings. Learn their native names and say hello yes, but remember they are different.

This was something that came up in attempt to record @cleyerapodcast.bsky.social last night with @riversidewings.bsky.social but had to be cut.

a store front with a sign that says ' lucavlogstory ' at the bottom Alt: A shop just off shrine grounds. A torii in back.

WELL. We have just recorded Cleyera Episode 15!

a drawing of a white animal with a red tail and a s on its head Alt: a drawing of a white animal with a red tail and a s on its head

Okami as a series has covered much of the Kojiki already. What do you think it will be drawing from in the sequel? We've got some theories, but we're curious to hear what you think.

The Okami Sequel is Announced

We are SO back. #Screaming #Okami

Yes-- that's pretty much what we said.

As with the incident with the influencer doing pullups on a torii, we feel obliged to say again: when you visit Japan, please treat torii with respect. This is the gate of a sacred space, not a theme park.

goodness, thank you all for the new follows! We're glad to see you with us. We'll be sitting down for a new episode of Cleyera soon, but in the meanwhile, remember, please pass along any questions on Shinto that you may have, and we'll be glad to answer them as able!

An honor to have your follow ⛩️

About

Okay, so I guess I should say something about my religious practice

Hey yeah, I practice Inari Shinko, I'm a member of Shusse Inari Shrine of America, found here shintoinari.org/about/, I cohost @cleyerapodcast.bsky.social with @riversidewings.bsky.social

I practice Shinto with Buddhist elements

A path leading through a row of vermilion torii gates with forest on either side.

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto, Japan.⛩️
#JapanTravel #Shinto #DailyInari

the torii of Takekoma Inari shrine, in Iwanuma, Miyagi Prefecture (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Torii_gate_of_Takekoma-jinja_shrine.JPG , reposted under cc3.0)

A little preview of the next Cleyera, since you've all been so patient.

We-- Zoe and Nyri-- belong to two different faiths that come under the umbrella of Shinto. Their shrines' architecture tends to look similar, but is not identical.

What's the deal? We're here to explain.

goodness, thank you all for the new follows! We're glad to see you with us. We'll be sitting down for a new episode of Cleyera soon, but in the meanwhile, remember, please pass along any questions on Shinto that you may have, and we'll be glad to answer them as able!

Photograph of a stone torii gate leading into a shrine with trees in the background, some with autumn foliage.

Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, Japan.
#JapanTravel #Shinto ⛩️

Do any of our followers (apart from our hosts) belong to a shrine faith in Shinto? Drop a comment below-- we'd love to learn more from you.

Another reminder: Shinto is an umbrella term that encompasses many shrine faiths. We (Zoe and Nyri) are an Inari ujiko and a Hachiman ujiko respectively, and while we can speak most authoritatively on our lived experience there, Shinto is a rich and diverse constellation of practices and faiths.