Sixty-second Shikinen Sengu Dedication of Camellia Lamp Oil for New Sanctuary

Camellia lamp oil for the new sanctuary “Dedication Ceremony of Pressing”

On 25th July, 2013, from 10 am, we have held “Dedication Ceremony of Pressing” of the camellia oil to offer for Shikinen Sengu.

A special sacred lantern oil pressed from camellia seeds produced in the Izu Islands is dedicated to the Shikinen Sengu of the shrine once every 20 years. After camellia seeds are crushed in a crusher, a little heat is applied and the oil is pressed in a ‘tamajime’ machine. This is the traditional pressing method, in which the oil is squeezed out naturally under the gentle pressure. In this way, camellia oil that lits with little smoke is produced and dedicated.

Pressing Ceremony (25th July, 2013)

Norito prayers by Ueji-Hachimangu Shrine Ohsuka Chief Priest

A dance of dedication

Guests and executives

Sacred tree offered by Ota CEO

Nabeta Factory Manager placing camellia

Ota Chairman starting the oil presser

Ota CEO starting oil expeller

Oil expeller and expressed oil

Consecration and Departure Ceremony

A consecration and departure ceremony was held for 「恭奉浄油」, the camellia oil for lamps to be used in the Shikinen Sengu of the Ise Shrine in October 2013.
16 kg of camellia oil, refined over a month, will be delivered to Ise Shrine.

Departure Ceremony (23rd August, 2013)

Attendees | Guests, executives, employees

Attendee employees

A dance of dedication

Sacred tree offered by Ota CEO

Presenting of the lamp oil

Boarding of the lamp oil

Certificate of Dedication

The car leaving OTA OIL

The Sengyo Ceremony and Dedication of the first lamp oil

We also offered ‘tou-shin’, a wick made of rushes, which is necessary for lighting the lamps.
We are proud to say that we have created the best product with the best materials and technique.

The dedication, which taks place once every 20 years, is a matter of pride for OTA OIL and an important event in the succession of the business. It was successfully delivered with prayers for a bright future.