和の心、結びの祈り ―― THE SACRED BOND

The Sacred Sanctuary: A Prayer for the Departed Souls of Children

Recently, I feel that many people are letting go of the precious souls (Mitama) entrusted to them by the Divine. In my daily work, I encounter many who carry the silent presence of "Mizuko"—children who could not be born. Each person has their own circumstances—be it youth, economic hardship, or complex relationships. Yet, regardless of the reason, I wish for at least one thing: that you never neglect the memorial offering for these souls.

What we call Mizuko Kuyo (memorial services for unborn children) is practiced by very few today. Whether people believe that a soul without a physical body is irrelevant, I cannot understand. However, I often see a common thread among those who repeat this cycle: a lack of prayer or even a lack of concern for these spirits.

To them, I speak not just of the spiritual, but of the biological miracle. Before a child is conceived in the mother’s womb (the "Sacred Grove"), there is a fierce competition and a continuous chain of miracles. It is, truly, a world of mystery. Today, with the internet, we can easily learn about the birth of life, but we must feel its sanctity.

In Shinto, there is the Jinja (Shrine). You pass through the Torii gate, walk the Sando (approach), and finally pray at the Omiya (the Inner Sanctuary). Shinto possesses "Silent Teachings," and this layout is a manifestation of the mother’s body.

The womb where the child is conceived is the "Omiya" (The Sanctuary). The path through which the child is born is the "Sando" (The Approach). And the mother’s gateway is the "Torii."

To neglect the memorial of a Mizuko is to leave this "Sanctuary" defiled. The most painful consequence is to leave that impurity unaddressed, for the spirit continues to live alongside the family for a time. No famous priest or grand tomb can replace what the soul desires most: The love of the mother and father.

Simply turning your heart toward them brings peace. It can be the smallest gesture—when eating with your family, taking a bath, or going to sleep, simply say in your heart: "Let’s eat together," "Let’s bathe together," "Let’s sleep together." That thought of love reaches them without fail.

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A tiny soul dwelling in the mother’s sanctuary, Where does that heart of sorrow wander now?

Gassho (With palms joined in prayer)

From this land of prayer, I, Asahi Hanasaki, am introducing the "Harmony of Wa" to the whole world. 

（この祈りの国から、私、花咲あさひは、「和の調和」を世界中へと紹介しています。）

Asahi Hanasaki