The round, open space within the sacred Kubo grounds is used for the traditional
Izaiho ceremony that was observed every twelve years. The Kudaka Islanders take great care in protecting this sacred ground essential to performing the ceremony.
An unusual peacefulness permeates the island as it is among some of the quieter islands of the archipelago. The quiet may well be attributed to the fact that it is home to an abundance of prayer sites. On Kudaka, people believe in a "priesthood of all women", and all women serve the gods from age 31 to age 70.
Legend holds that some time in the 1500s two gods came to the island. One was male (Shierikyu) and the other female (Amamikyu). Having been barren until then Amamikyu eventually gave birth to 3 children. Her first-born, a male, grew up to become the first Ryukyuan king. A daughter was next born to the gods and she grew up to be a noro - a priestess. The third child, another male became a farmer.
