英語版のサイトに "Sefa Utaki" in Okinawa のページをアップロードしました：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
御嶽は、沖縄各地に分布している聖地ですが、斎場御嶽はその御嶽の中でも、最も神聖な場所だそうです。
斎場御嶽には６箇所の神域(イビ)があり、そのうち大庫理、寄満、三庫理の３箇所は、首里城の部屋と同じ名前が付いているそうです。
斎場御嶽は2000年に世界遺産に指定されています。
ちなみに今日、6月23日は1945年に沖縄戦が終わった日です。
沖縄戦の日本側の死者数は17万人と言われています。
このうち民間人の死者数は9.4万人。
旧日本軍が沖縄の人を盾に戦った為、このような多くの民間人の戦死者が出てしまっています。
"Sefa Utaki" in Okinawa のページへどうぞ：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Okinawa/SefaUtaki_E.html
日本版の斎場御嶽の散策記は下記です：
http://shanehsmt.html.xdomain.jp/Travel/Japan/Kyushu/SefaUtaki.html
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My English site:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
"Utaki" in Okinawa is a sacred place where a priestess prays.
"Sefa Utaki" was the most sacred "Utaki" among all "Utaki"s in Okinawa.
The three holy precincts, "Ufugui", "Yuinchi" and "San-Gui" have the same name of rooms in Shuri Castle, where was the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is considered that "Sefa Utaki" had a deep relation with the Ryukyu Kingdom.
You will walk in a deep forest and will arrive at the stone slope shown in the below picture.
The first holy precinct, "Urocar", is located to the right.
The road to "Urocar" is closed, due to land sliding.
In the past, people performed ablutions at "Urocar", before going to "Sefa Utaki".
You will see "Ujyo-Guchi", the entrance of Sefa Utaki.
As "Sefa Utaki" is the most sacred "Utaki", only the loyal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom were allowed to go to "Sefa Utaki" beyond the entrance.
If you further walk in the deep forest, you will see another holy precinct, "Ufuguui".
The second floor of Shuri Castle Main Hall was also named "Ufguui".
Deifying rituals were performed ar "Ufuguui" in Shuri Castle.
At "Ufuguui" in "Sefa-Utaki", priestesses held an inauguration of "Kikoe Ohkimi" or "Chifi Jin", the highest ranking priestess, and prayed for the prosperity of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
On this side of "San-Gui", you will see the area called "Kifujinsama Oyasumidokoro", shown in the below picture.
To the left of "Kifujinsama Oyasumidokoro", you will see the triangle-shaped opening of big stones.
In front of the opening, "San-Gui" altar is located and "Chonohana" altar is located to the right.
The atmosphere of the triangle-shaped opening is very solemn and impressive.
On the left, you will see the worship place of Kudaka Island.
Kudaka Island is very holly island, especially for the people in the middle age.
You will see the spectacular view of Kudaka Island and the Pacific Ocean.
The page of "Sefa Utaki" in Okinawa:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Okinawa/SefaUtaki_E.html
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http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/TravelDestinations.html
http://shanehsmt.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
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