"With the Divine Spirit of Asahi Hanasaki."

 Hello, everyone. Today, I would like to share a story about Nyonin Koya Muro-ji Temple , located in the serene mountains of Muro, Uda City, Nara Prefecture. Since ancient times, Muro-ji has served as a vital site for solar worship. It was established as a "shingo-ji" (shrine-temple) for the nearby Muro Ryuketsu Shrine, which honors the Dragon God, the deity of water. It is a sacred place where nature and prayer have intertwined for millennia. I have visited Muro-ji countless times, not only for prayer but also to study and research the preservation of temples and shrines. One of my most vivid memories from decades ago was my first visit. Unaware of the layout, I found myself wandering up the stone staircase—all 720 steps of it—reaching the "Okunoin" (Inner Sanctuary). There, I met a staff member named Mr. Nakamura, who felt like a living incarnation of Kannon Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy). Though he has since retired, I believe he provided healing and comfort...

The Roots of Our Prayer: The Myth of "Kuni-yuzuri" and the Peaceful Legacy of the Jomon People “Ohomitakara ni itaru made, Kashikomi kashikomi mousu.” The word “Ohomitakara” refers to us—the people. It is a term used by the Emperor of Japan in his daily prayers to the deities. Within these words lies a profound and sincere wish: that every single citizen may live a life of peace, abundance, and tranquility. This is a sacred “Kotodama” (the spirit within words). But why does the Emperor pray so fervently for the happiness of the people? I believe the origin of this prayer can be found in the Japanese myth of “Kuni-yuzuri” (The Transfer of the Land). Today, I would like to explore our roots through the lens of this ancient story. 1. The Jomon People: A Peaceful People Who Bore No Weapons According to mythology, this land was once called Toyoashihara no Mizuho no Kuni —the Land of Abundant Reed Plains and Rich Rice Fields. It was inhabited by the descendants of the “Kunitsuka...