To the Children of Susanoo Blue: ~YELL~

 

Hello, everyone.

I have written about the youth of today on this blog before. In society, we often hear people grumbling about "young people these days," but there is no need to worry. People have been saying the exact same thing since the era of Ancient Egypt, so we don't need to pay it any mind. When I look at the youth today, I am genuinely impressed by how many remarkable individuals there are.

They are polite, kind, and seem to possess very little ego or greed. I have great expectations that the current teenagers, as they enter their twenties, will become the force that leads the world forward.

I am not joking; I truly believe this.

This generation does not know much luxury, nor do they seem interested in social status. Furthermore, many of these children have experienced or witnessed the gap between the rich and the poor.

Even if they haven't experienced it personally, they have a visceral sense of the reality around them—seeing friends who cannot afford school lunches, those who want to attend cram school but cannot, or those who are unable to go anywhere during summer vacation. Having these feelings from a young age toward things they cannot control allows them to naturally develop a "heart of compassion" (Jishi) through these indirect or direct experiences.

This compassion remains within them as a lived sensation. Because of this, even if they haven't gone through a specific hardship themselves, they can intuitively perceive the truth. They can instantly see through the lies of adults, so falsehoods no longer work on them.

The media often focuses only on famous young athletes or celebrities. However, I hold much higher expectations for the children who are not in that spotlight. I sincerely hope that as they reach adulthood, they will rise up with the desire to be of service to society, to help those in need, and to take on challenges across the world.

Such children are being born one after another here in Japan, the "Land of Harmony" (Wa no Kuni).

In the context of Ancient Shinto (Koshinto), one might say their "soul experience" is exceptionally high. Though their bodies are young, their "soul age" is advanced—souls that have cycled through many incarnations. It feels as though these souls are appearing in the modern world in succession. Everyone, regardless of age or generation, carries a "mission" (Shukumei) before they are born.

Unlike "fate" (Unmei), which can be changed, Shukumei is that which is destined and unalterable.

In Ancient Shinto, it is believed that before we are born into this world, we consult with the Divine in the afterlife, set the environment of our birth ourselves, and then enter this world together with the Divine. This presence is called Ubusunagami (the guardian deity of one's birthplace).

In other words, it is the Divine that exists within everyone’s heart. We walk through life hand-in-hand with this Ubusunagami.

In my part-time job as a delivery driver, I deliver about 100 packages a day. From morning until late at night, I focus entirely on delivering, being careful to meet the requested time slots. In the midst of this, I often find myself deeply moved when I deliver to homes with small children.

Children of elementary school age are incredibly polite; they often bow and say, "Thank you very much," at the end. Since they don't yet have a rigid concept of "work," their "thank you" comes straight from the heart. They all seem so remarkably bright and wise.

In the future, I also intend to work in a way that serves children. I particularly hope to be of help to children living in poverty. To the children living in Japan, nationality or place of birth does not matter. As for international conflicts and disputes—I wish the politicians in charge would just go to a dry riverbed and settle it with a fistfight or whatever they like.

Today's politicians have forgotten that the lives of the citizens are precious souls entrusted to them by the Divine.

They speak nothing but sophistry that lacks any real sense. They don't even realize how miserable a broken logic looks; they expose their own ignorance and present a pitiful sight of self-destruction. To wound or defile the soul of a child—a child of the Divine—is an act of blasphemy.

I do not want them to involve the citizens, who are doing their best to live their daily lives despite hardships, or the children living in peace. The Divine sees everything. Our ancestors see everything. If one were to place a hand on their chest and reflect deeply, the answer would surely emerge.

If no answer comes, it is simply a lack of effort. One must look within and reflect profoundly.

Worry and anxiety are the roots of Kegare (impurity). In Japanese, Kegare can be interpreted as Ki-gare—the "withering of one's vital energy" (Ki). When we touch this impurity, our bodies become ill. I often feel that the world is built very logically; perhaps illness is a sign from the Divine to reflect on our daily actions and lifestyle.

I pray that all children may live in abundance and peace.

Finally, please cherish your mothers, who may have set aside their own appearances and worked tirelessly to raise you for the sake of your future.

Respectfully, Asahi Hanasaki

Asahi Hanasaki 

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

I am a delivery driver in Japan who also helps protect and maintain a traditional Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple. Balancing these two worlds gives me a unique perspective on modern society. Through my writing, I aim to share the warmth of mutual aid and help readers find the courage to live another day.

I also post it on my blog in Japanese.