"With the Divine Spirit of Asahi Hanasaki."

  What?! It has already been left for you—right there, fully prepared. Your grandfathers, grandmothers, and ancestors left a place for all of you, ensuring you wouldn't be left helpless. It is a sanctuary where, in times of hardship, everyone in the community can come together to share wisdom, help one another, support each other, and make up for what others lack. That place is the "church" that stands in your very own town. In our country, "Japan," we also have shrines and temples, and their numbers far exceed even that of convenience stores. Once upon a time, these shrines and temples were not merely places for prayer. They functioned as places of learning for local children and as gathering hubs where people from the community could come together. In other words, they were spaces that formed close-knit communities where people would gather whenever trouble arose, pooling their wisdom to overcome various hardships and crises. In fact, 15 years ago, our nation ...

  Hello. The other day, I came across a video on a streaming site—I am not sure if it was hosted by a religious organization or a spiritual circle—that resembled a study group. The theme was "Those Summoned by Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)." Although it was a video format, there were no visuals, only audio. It was quite intriguing to me, primarily because the perspective shared was different from my own thoughts and reflections. If you were to ask people, "What kind of being is Kannon?", most would likely answer that she is a compassionate entity who rescues those in distress and grants prayers. Indeed, Buddhist monks convey Kannon’s existence in this manner, and it is described as such in parts of the Kannon Sutra. Today, I would like to write a little about the presence of Kannon, who is deeply close to our lives. First of all, when we say "Kannon," there are actually many manifestations, often referred to as "XX Kannon." For instance, mirroring the...

 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...

Hello, everyone. Let me start with a quick question: Have you ever heard the term “Onikku” ? Today, I’d like to dedicate this post to the concept of Onikku . In modern Jinja Shinto, there is a support system within many shrines known as the “Onikku-ko” or “Onikku-kai.” ### What is the Onikku System?   Essentially, it is a mutual support system where members contribute small amounts of money to cover the cost of the Omike (sacred food offerings)—such as rice, sake, and grains—that are presented to the deities every single day. While the contribution amount varies depending on the shrine, the average is roughly 5,000 yen per person per year . If you break that down into a daily cost, it’s only about 13 to 14 yen a day . I am personally very fond of this tradition. It allows us to participate in a ritual of gratitude for the "bountiful harvest"—the very foundation of our economy—by offering fresh rice, water, and sake to the divine. The Original "Investment Fund"? I...

Shrine maidens cleaning the grounds of the shrine Hello. When we speak of "conscience," most of us—myself included—tend to view it through the lens of duality: good versus evil, or a "good heart" versus a "bad heart." However, upon deeper reflection, it seems that conscience is something that transcends this simple binary. We often hear phrases like, "It is important to act according to one’s conscience," or "If you consult your conscience, you will understand." But if conscience were not something universal, shared by everyone, then individual differences would arise, and we would eventually lose sight of what "conscience" truly is. It may sound as if I am studying for a legal exam, but my point is this: I believe conscience is not merely a tool for judging whether an event is "right" or "wrong." To me, it feels like something far more simple, rustic, and pure. To put it simply, I understand it as a "...

  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 schoo...

祈りの矢よ飛んで行け 鈴の音響かせいま放たれよ Hello. I have written before on this blog about how science, religion, agriculture, medicine, and even economics were originally objects of faith. Even if we forget this fact, it is imprinted in our DNA. It is as if the vast records of experiences lived by our countless ancestors possess the ability to resurface within us at any given moment. It is difficult to put into words, but I believe you have experienced that sensation where something "clicks" or settles deep in your core, even if you cannot explain why. When we consider that the records of experiences from an unimaginable history are transmitted instantaneously to us, their descendants, it feels truly profound. The foundation of this immense record—our DNA—is rooted in "Wa" (Harmony). When we deviate from this harmony, a natural force works to pull us back toward it. I feel that thanks to the countless ancestors who lived before us, we are able to experience various things and take i...

Title:  The System of "Wa": Rescuing the Self Through Divine Wisdom The Great Premise: Self-Reliance In this world, no matter who you are, the only person who can truly save you is yourself. Not parents, not siblings—only you. It sounds cold, perhaps even harsh. But do not despair just yet. The Minor Premise: Divine Wisdom We are the only beings gifted by the Creator with the wisdom to create "Something" from "Nothing." This isn't knowledge from books; it is wisdom that wells up from within. The Conclusion: The System of "Wa" (Harmony) When we apply this inner wisdom, we save not only ourselves but others as well. This is the "System of Wa." Think of water. It exists as solid ice, liquid water, and invisible vapor. Everything in this physical world (the "Visible") is born from the "Invisible" (the Void). We humans are the same. We are children of the Divine, temporary physical vessels carrying an eternal spiri...

Title:  Beyond the Sky: The Young Souls of the Kamikaze and Their Final Letters In my previous post, I wrote about the young trainees of "Yokaren" (Preparatory Flight Experience), boys aged 14 to 17 who entered training with the almost certain expectation of joining the Kamikaze special attack corps. Today, I would like to write about what happened after they graduated from Yokaren, joined the special attack units, and finally made their sorting flights. While many Yokaren graduates ended up joining the special attack corps, the units were fully organized in October 1944. Triggered by the U.S. military's landing operations on Leyte Island, the Imperial General Headquarters issued the "Sho-Go" (Victory) Operation. At the Mabalacat airfield in the Philippines, 13 pilots, centered around the 10th graduating class, volunteered themselves. They formed four units as the first official Kamikaze Special Attack Corps. Those four units were named Shikishima , Yamato , Asa...

Exhibited at the Chiran Peace Museum.   Artist: Katsuyoshi Nakaya 【Title】 The Teenage Kamikaze Pilots: Remembering the "Yokaren" and the Bond with Their Mothers ■ Introduction Hello. The other day, I visited Makata Shrine in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture. This is the place where the famous "Hifumi Shinji" (revelations) were received. On my way back, as I was driving to neighboring Ibaraki Prefecture for work and passing through a town called Ami, a certain memory came back to me. It was about the Kamikaze Special Attack Corps, which I have been researching since around 2008. Ami Town in Ibaraki was once the site of the "Yokaren" (Naval Aviator Preparatory Course), where young boys aged 14 to 17 were trained with the expectation of joining the special attack units. My own great-uncle was one of these trainees, entering the corps and facing the end of the war just days before his scheduled sortie. Today, I want to write about these pure-hearted trainees who ...

祈りの矢よ飛んでゆけ　鈴の音響かせいま放たれよ。 Oh, arrows of prayer, fly forth. With the chiming of bells resounding, be released now.　 【Title】 The Hell Seen by 15-Year-Old Girls: What the Tragedy of Okinawa’s "Himeyuri Students" Teaches Us Today ■ Introduction Have you ever heard of the "Himeyuri" or the "Himeyuri Student Corps"? Decades ago, young girls who were the same age as today’s high school students were thrust into the middle of a brutal land battle in Japan. "Why did such young, innocent girls have to become victims of war?" "Why were they forced to join a military-like organization?" I believe that asking these simple yet fundamental questions is the first step toward understanding the true preciousness of life. ■ Who Were the "Himeyuri Students"? On March 23, 1945, the U.S. military began its invasion of Okinawa. Students from 21 secondary schools in Okinawa were mobilized for the war effort. Among them were female students aged just 1...

📘 Vol. 2 Title (English) "Science Only Understands 1%!? The Illusion Created by Logic and the Importance of Thinking for Yourself" ■ What is "Koshinto" (Ancient Shinto)? Ultimately, Koshinto boils down to two simple things: Nature Worship : Expressing gratitude to the Great Nature—the sun, the moon, the mountains, and the seas. Ancestor Veneration : Remembering and honoring our ancestors. That is all. It requires no complex knowledge or large sums of money. Simply remembering a forgotten loved one in your heart is a beautiful act of memorial. We are alive today because countless ancestors existed before us. And yet, why is it that we are becoming unable to notice and appreciate the Nature and ancestors that are always there for us? ■ The "Illusion" Created by Logic and Theories Originally, agriculture, science, religion, medicine, law, and philosophy were all subjects of faith—they were all interconnected as one. However, we humans began to interpret the...

[Series] Vol. 1: Did the Real Meaning of "Wa" Actually Mean "God"? The Spirit Dwelling in Objects and the Heart of Japan 　Hello there! Out of the blue, how do you feel when you hear the phrase, "Japan is the land of Wa (harmony)"? Actually, the true meaning of this word " Wa " is " God. " You might be thinking, "Uh, what are you talking about today?" But please bear with me for a moment. ■ The Abundance of " Wa " All Around Us In Japan, there are countless words that start with " Wa ." Washitsu (traditional Japanese rooms) Wafuku (traditional Japanese clothing / kimono) Washoku (traditional Japanese food) There are so many examples that it's impossible to count them all. Moreover, traditional Japanese goods and souvenirs characterized by this style of " Wa " are incredibly popular among tourists visiting Japan from abroad. ■ Why " Wamono " (Japanese Goods) Are Masterpieces No mat...