What is the Shikinen Sengu ritual at Ise Jingu?

Shikinen Sengu is a ritual where Ise Jingu shrine is completely dismantled and rebuilt every 20 years, a practice that has occurred for 1,300 years.

How does Ise Jingu ensure constant regeneration?

The shrine undergoes a cyclical reconstruction process known as Shikinen Sengu, which ensures its constant regeneration and embodies the Shintō ideal of eternal youth through renewal.

Who is involved in the Ise Jingu renewal process?

Over 2,000 artisans are involved in remaking every element of the shrine using traditional techniques as part of the Shikinen Sengu cycle.

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Japan's Sacred Shrine Reborn Every 20 Years

24 Apr

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Summary

Ise Jingu shrine undergoes ritual reconstruction every 20 years.
This ancient practice ensures continuous renewal and vitality.
The process preserves traditional craftsmanship and sacred traditions.

Japan's Sacred Shrine Reborn Every 20 Years

Japan's revered Ise Jingu shrine is currently in the midst of Shikinen Sengu, a remarkable ritual involving its complete reconstruction, an event that has occurred every 20 years for the past 1,300 years. This cycle, which began in May 2025, offers a rare opportunity for visitors to witness a deeply significant tradition connected to the sun goddess Amaterasu.

The Shikinen Sengu process meticulously dismantles older structures to build new ones, ensuring the shrine's constant regeneration. This practice sustains vital traditional craftsmanship, with over 2,000 artisans involved in remaking every element using ancient techniques. Materials from dismantled buildings are reused, reinforcing a cyclical relationship between forest, shrine, and community, embodying the Shintō concept of tokowaka, or eternal youth through renewal.

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