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Kamui Kobayashi Supporters 2011 Japan
A ''kamuy'' ( ain, カムィ; ja, カムイ, kamui) is a spiritual or divine being in Ainu mythology, a term denoting a supernatural entity composed of or possessing spiritual energy. The Ainu people have many myths about the ''kamuy'', passed down through oral traditions and rituals. The stories of the ''kamuy'' were portrayed in chants and performances, which were often performed during sacred rituals. Concept In concept, ''kamuy'' are similar to the Japanese ''kami'' but this translation misses some of the nuances of the termAshkenazy, Michael. ''Handbook of Japanese Mythology''. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003. 187-188 (the missionary John Batchelor assumed that the Japanese term was of Ainu origin).John Batchelor: ''The Ainu and Their Folk-Lore'', London 1901, p. 580–582. The usage of the term is very extensive and contextual among the Ainu, and can refer to something regarded as especially positive as well as something regarded as especially strong. ''Kamuy'' c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ainu Mythology
The Ainu are the indigenous people of the lands surrounding the Sea of Okhotsk, including Hokkaido Island, Tōhoku region, Northeast Honshu Island, Sakhalin Island, the Kuril Islands, the Kamchatka Peninsula and Khabarovsk Krai, before the arrival of the Yamato people, Yamato Japanese and Treaty of Aigun, Russians. These regions are referred to as in historical Japanese texts. Official estimates place the total Ainu population of Japan at 25,000. Unofficial estimates place the total population at 200,000 or higher, as the near-total assimilation of the Ainu into Japanese society has resulted in many individuals of Ainu descent having no knowledge of their ancestry. As of 2000, the number of "pure" Ainu was estimated at about 300 people. In 1966, there were about 300 native Ainu language, Ainu speakers; in 2008, however, there were about 100. Names This people's most widely known ethnonym, "Ainu" ( ain, ; ja, アイヌ; russian: Айны) means "human" in the Ainu language, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ritual
A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed according to a set sequence. Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including a religious community. Rituals are characterized, but not defined, by formalism, traditionalism, invariance, rule-governance, sacral symbolism, and performance. Rituals are a feature of all known human societies. They include not only the worship rites and sacraments of organized religions and cults, but also rites of passage, atonement and ritual purification, purification rites, oaths of allegiance, dedication ceremonies, coronations and presidential inaugurations, marriages, funerals and more. Even common actions like handshake, hand-shaking and saying "hello" may be termed as ''rituals''. The field of ritual studies has seen a number of conflicting definitions of the term. One given by Kyriakidis is that a ritual is an outsider's or "Emic and etic, etic" category for a set activity (o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kandakoro Kamuy
Kanda-koro-kamuy is the Ainu ''kamuy'' (''god'') of the sky. He is the prime originator of Ainu mythology, responsible either directly or indirectly for the creation of all things. Mythology While Kanda-koro-kamuy is believed to be a powerful ''kamuy'', he is not presented as a supreme being. He is also in many ways a background figure: while his presence was necessary for the creation of the world, he plays only a small part in subsequent events, often as a mediator.Ashkenazy, Michael. ''Handbook of Japanese Mythology''. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003. 192-193 He is considered the overseer and master of the sky, much as Cikap-kamuy Cikap-kamuy (also called Kotan-kor-kamuy, which should not be confused with Kotan-kar-kamuy) is the Ainu ''kamuy'' (''god'') of owls and the land. He is responsible for overseeing the behavior of humans and ''kamuy''. He is considered a deity of ... is the overseer of the land. He appointed Mosir-kara-kamuy to shape the earth, prepari ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hoyau
''Hoyau'' or ''hoyau kamui'' (var, ''oyau kamui''), in Ainu mythology, is a type of malodorous and venomous dragon or dragon god, believed to thrive in summer or near fire, but lose strength in the cold, whose trait earns it the alternative name of ''sak-somo-ayep'' ("that which must not be mentioned in the summer"). They are generally held to be dwellers of lakes and swamps, but are also winged according to some folklore accounts. Terminology The Ainu dragon (wanjiku) is generally held to dwell in lakes and swamps and issue foul odor, and are known by such names as the ''hoyau'' (meaning "serpent" in Sakhalin dialect), ''chatai'' or ''catay'' (borrowed from Japanese ), and ''sak-somo-ayep'' (lit. "that which must not be mentioned in the summer."). According to the lore collected by , the ''hoyau'' belongs to the tribe of ''sak-somo-ayep''. Epic songs (''yukar'') from the Saru District region (i.e., western rim of Hidaka Subprefecture) refer to the serpent as ''hoyau'', ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hasinaw-uk-kamuy
Hasinaw-uk-kamuy (ハシナウ・ウｸ・カムイ; also Hash-Inau-uk Kamuy, Hashinau-uk Kamuy or simply Hash-uk Kamuy) is the Ainu ''kamuy'' (''goddess'') of the hunt. She is sometimes called Isosange Mat (''Bringing-down-game Woman'') and Kamuy Paseguru (''Potent Kamuy''). Depiction Hasinaw-uk-kamuy is depicted as a woman with long hair who wields a bow and arrows, who often carries a child on her back. She is accompanied by, or sometimes appears in the form of, a small bird, which shows hunters the way to game. She is also represented by the aconite plant, with which Ainu hunters poisoned their arrows.Ashkenazy, Michael. ''Handbook of Japanese Mythology''. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003. 161 Mythology Hasinaw-uk-kamuy is a deity of great importance to the Ainu, who historically subsisted largely on hunting, fishing, and gathering. She was born from the fire-producing drill, and is sometimes said to be the sister of Kamuy-huci, the hearth goddess, or of Shiramba K ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kotan-kor-kamuy
Cikap-kamuy (also called Kotan-kor-kamuy, which should not be confused with Kotan-kar-kamuy) is the Ainu ''kamuy'' (''god'') of owls and the land. He is responsible for overseeing the behavior of humans and ''kamuy''. He is considered a deity of material success. Depiction Cikap-Kamuy is depicted as a great owl, as opposed to smaller owls (such as little horned owl) that represent demons and other malicious spirits. The Ainu believed that the owl watched over the ''mosir'' (country) and local ''kotan'' (villages), so Cikap-Kamuy came to be represented as the master of the domain. In some areas, his tears were said to be gold and silver.Ashkenazy, Michael. ''Handbook of Japanese Mythology''. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003. p. 125, 211-212{{Cite web, last=Chiri, first=Yukie, authorlink=Yukie Chiri, last2=Selden, first2=Kyoko, date=, title=The Song the Owl God Himself Sang, “Silver Droplets Fall Fall All Around,” An Ainu Tale, url=https://apjjf.org/2016/15/Chiri.htm ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cikap-kamuy
Cikap-kamuy (also called Kotan-kor-kamuy, which should not be confused with Kotan-kar-kamuy) is the Ainu ''kamuy'' (''god'') of owls and the land. He is responsible for overseeing the behavior of humans and ''kamuy''. He is considered a deity of material success. Depiction Cikap-Kamuy is depicted as a great owl, as opposed to smaller owls (such as little horned owl) that represent demons and other malicious spirits. The Ainu believed that the owl watched over the ''mosir'' (country) and local ''kotan'' (villages), so Cikap-Kamuy came to be represented as the master of the domain. In some areas, his tears were said to be gold and silver.Ashkenazy, Michael. ''Handbook of Japanese Mythology''. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003. p. 125, 211-212{{Cite web, last=Chiri, first=Yukie, authorlink=Yukie Chiri, last2=Selden, first2=Kyoko, date=, title=The Song the Owl God Himself Sang, “Silver Droplets Fall Fall All Around,” An Ainu Tale, url=https://apjjf.org/2016/15/Chiri.htm ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Apasam Kamuy
Apasam Kamuy is the Ainu ''kamuy'' (''god'') of the threshold. Apasam Kamuy is called upon for protection during changes of state. Depiction Apasam Kamuy is conceived as either a male and female couple or a dual entity, similar to the Roman Janus In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus ( ; la, Ianvs ) is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces. The month of January is named for Janu .... The ''kamuy'' oversees transitions, and this dual nature allows Apasam Kamuy to perceive both sides of a transition in order to better guard the supplicant.Ashkenazy, Michael. ''Handbook of Japanese Mythology''. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003. 120-121 Mythology Apasam Kamuy is called upon whenever a change of state is occurring. This ''kamuy'' is called upon to protect women during difficult labor, to protect people against angry ''kamuy'' such as the plague god Pakoro Kam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Culture Hero
A culture hero is a mythological hero specific to some group ( cultural, ethnic, religious, etc.) who changes the world through invention or discovery. Although many culture heroes help with the creation of the world, most culture heroes are important because of their effect on the world after creation. A typical culture hero might be credited as the discoverer of fire, agriculture, songs, tradition, law, or religion, and is usually the most important legendary figure of a people, sometimes as the founder of its ruling dynasty. Culture heroes in mythology History of a culture hero The term "culture hero" was originated by historian Kurt Breysig, who used the German word ''heilbringer,'' which translates to ''savior''. Over the years, "culture hero" has been interpreted in many ways. Older interpretations by Breysig, Paul Ehrenreich, and Wilhelm Schmidt thought that the journeys of culture heroes were ways in which humans could attempt to understand things in nature, such ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ae-oina Kamuy
or for short is an Ainu ''kamuy'' (''god'') and culture hero. In Ainu mythology, he is credited with teaching humans domestic skills, and for this reason he is called Ainurakkur (アイヌラックㇽ, ''father of the Ainu'' or ''father of humanity''), and otherwise known as Okikurmi. Names Oyna or Ae-oyna-kamuy/Ayoyna-kamuy, who in Ainu tradition is a culture hero or , is otherwise known by the names Ainurakkur or Okikurmi/Okikirmiy according to some sources. Aynurakkur and Okikurmi may have originally been distinguished, but seem to have become conflated after a body of similarly plotted narratives became attached to them. Etymology Oyna-kamuy literally signifies "god who is passed on (in lore)" ( Kindaichi) or "god of the sacred tradition, ''oyna''" (Donald Philippi). But the name has also construed to mean "god who engages/participates in shamanism " by Chiri)". The Ae- prefix is "we", thus Ae-oyna-kamuy means "god whom we pass on (in our lore)" or "god concerning w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prayer
Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication. In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards a deity or a deified ancestor. More generally, prayer can also have the purpose of thanksgiving or praise, and in comparative religion is closely associated with more abstract forms of meditation and with charms or spells. Prayer can take a variety of forms: it can be part of a set liturgy or ritual, and it can be performed alone or in groups. Prayer may take the form of a hymn, incantation, formal creedal statement, or a spontaneous utterance in the praying person. The act of prayer is attested in written sources as early as 5000 years ago. Today, most major religions involve prayer in one way or another; some ritualize the act, requiring a strict sequence of actions or placing a restriction on who is permitted to pray, while others teach that prayer may b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
