Centering upon Fushidansekkyo, before it is utterly gone
 This page is in English.
Fushidansekkyo-theme Pages
Macaronic: Both English letters and Japanese characters as Text are on the same page. (Without a font - get garbled)
 

The subject is not always associated with Fushidansekkyo, but it is a relevant subject to a topic on a page of www.hdever.com. Please note that the events (religious services, university extension lectures, symposiums, performances and so forth) to be mentioned on this page shall be domestic events with few exceptions, and the information on them might not be useful to those who are not in Japan (those who could not come to Japan and participate in them).

News

"News" are my personal remarks on what I from time to time think or feel about a certain subject.

Text Encoding ISO-8859-1

I will from time to time move my personal remarks onto the "Previous News Archive" page,
in the chronological order, the oldest first.


"A Locus of Encounter: An essay on Soetsu Yanagi"

Muneyoshi Yanagi (1) as a Thinker

I thank to Mr. Shuichi Ochi for an issue of RINRI Kenkyujo Kiyo [the Proceedings of RINRI Institute of Ethics] (Proceedings Number 17) and issues of RINRI (Journal Sequential Number 675, 676, and 677) that include his essays.
An essay by Shuichi Ochi, "Aru Deai no Kiseki: Yanagi Muneyoshi Shoron" [A Locus of Encounter: An essay on Soetsu Yanagi], which offers an approach focusing on Soetsu Yanagi as a thinker, is published in RINRI Kenkyujo Kiyo, 17. Having read it, I find myself stirred. Although there lies outside the subject of this essay a specialized field of study to which Mr. Ochi has devoted himself, yet I hope that he would continue and expand his "Muneyoshi Yanagi as a Thinker" discussion.

February 1, 2010 Hitomi
Note:
(1) The name of Soetsu Yanagi (1889-1961) is also read as Muneyoshi Yanagi, which is often mentioned in connection with "Folk crafts" that means "People's art" (Mingei).
I quote from the third paragraph of Soetsu Yanagi's "The Collection of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum" presented in English in the EXPO '70 illustrated catalogue of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nippon Mingeikan).
(quote) Folk crafts were the work of anonymous craftsmen, produced in quantities to be used by the masses in their daily lives. Utility was the main characteristic of these crafts; therefore they were made functionally and practically in order to endure the rough handling of everyday use. Since the craftsman had to produce them at low cost and in quantity, they were obliged to work hard in repeating the same type of process over and over again. This repetitious exercise made the craftsmen skillful in technique, compared with individual artists who work on single objects of art one at a time. Futhermore [sic], the craftsmen did not attempt to create the products with their free imagination: instead, they followed faithfully and blindly the traditional way of making which was the crystallized golden rule set up by their ancestors' experiences and wisdom acquired over generations. Each pattern, each design, and each glaze was not a new experimentation, but the result of tradition. The beauty of folk crafts is not attributed to the talent of any genius. It is not the outcome of intellect or of individual expression. The beauty of these unknown craftsmen's works is attributed to the 'other-power' (Tariki), that is to say, a simple belief in tradition. With practically no exceptions, folk crafts are beautiful: it is very difficult to find any bad, impure, or degenerate works among them. (end quote)
Soetsu Yanagi, "The Collection of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum," Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nippon Mingeikan): Exhibition of Folk-Craft from the Collection of The Nippon Mingeikan (Nippon Mingeikan, EXPO '70 3.15-9.13, 1970), no pagination.

The Geino Gakkai Academic Meeting of 2009
on the 30th of January, 2010

at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space

The Geino Gakkai Academic Meeting of 2009 for Reading Research Papers will be held at the Large Conference Room (Dai-kaigishitsu) on the 5th floor of Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space (Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo) on Saturday the 30th of January, 2010.

Part I: Presentation of Research Papers 13:00 - 14:50
  • "Iwashimizu-Hachiman-guji no Hatsu-u no Mi-kagura ni kansuru Ichi Kosatsu" (1) by Masato Nakamoto
  • "Narazuhiko-jinja Okina-mai to sono Densho ni kansuru Ichi Kosatsu" (2) by Hiroyo Naito
  • "Ashiwara Hisako ga egaita Musume Gidayu ni tsuite" (3) by Yuko Mizuno
-- A ten-minute recess --
Part II: Dialogue and Performing Arts Appreciation 15:00 - 16:30
  • Utsushi-e ---Edo no Animation (4) 
    • Dialogue -- Speaker: Fumio Yamagata (Director of the Minwa-za Company)
    • Dialogue -- Listener: Shin Kodama
    • Utsushi-e Performance -- Explanation and magic lantern operation: Yuko Tanaka
Closing Session 16:35
(honorific prefixes omitted)

Auditing (Listening in) this entire academic meeting of Geino Gakka is free (No fee). Attendance and participation in this meeting from among non-Society members who are interested in the above rituals, traditions, performing arts, and a newly-discovered evidence are welcomed.

December 5, 2009 Hitomi
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space (Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo) Address: 1-8-1 Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 171-0021, Japan
About 2 minutes walk, when leaving JR Ikebukuro Station by the West Exit.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space Web site's English guide map page "Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space Access map" [English]
URL: http://www.geigeki.jp/english/access.html
The above guide map page will give you walking directions from different ticket gates of Ikebukuro Station, depending on the line (which line you take, the JR Line, the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, the Tobu Tojo Line, or the Tokyo Metro subway lines, including Marunouchi Line, Fukutoshin Line and Yurakucho Line, to Ikebukuro).
Note (according to the résumé that I received yesterday):
(1) On a performance of sacred dance and music called Mi-kagura on the day of the Hatsu-u [First Rabbit; the day that falls on the first day of the Rabbit in a 12-day cycle employing the 12-animal zodiac signs] that was one of the most important rituals which had been held semi-annually (in luni-solar February and in luni-solar November of each year) and sponsored by Iwashimizu-Hachiman-guji, centering on fundamental considerations regarding its characteristics and circumstances in the period from the formation of Hatsu-u no Mi-kagura to the early Middle Ages, while referring to an association with Kagura-fu (Kagura manuscript] transcribed in the Heian period.
Iwashimizu-Hachiman-gu [gu: shrine] was originally established as a particular religious institution which had been neither a Shinto shrine nor a Buddhist temple in Kami-Buddha fusion (or Shinto-Buddhism fusion), and had been referred to as Iwashimizu-Hachiman-guji [guji: shrine-temple] until the movement to abolish Buddhism (Haibutsu Kishaku) that was triggered by the promulgation of the so-called "Edict for Separation of Shinto and Buddhism" in 1868.
(2) On what a traditional, loral world signifies in conjunction with the foundation and background for it, focusing on the history and traditions, the content of which manifests itself intriguingly as a theory of the origins of Geino [Performing arts], with taking a specific case of Okina-mai performed at the Narazuhiko shrine [marked by its rendition of Okina-mai, the protagonist Okina being accompanied by two Okinas as deuteragonists] in Narazaka Town and with deciphering Narazaka Kyu Ki.
(3) On an "evidence to the contrary" as to previously accepted assertions about the title of a portrait of a female performer by the Japanese-style painter Hisako Kajiwara (1896-1988), which was discovered in the autumn of 2009 by the presenter (Yuko Mizuno), and the identified subject of the painting and date of work.
Note (according to the dialogue overview that I received yesterday):
(4) It was in 1803, it is said, that the Edo rakugo storyteller Sansho-tei Toraku (also known as Ikeda Toraku) who thought about how he could get projected still images moving and performing a play, and he, with improving on the fixedness of the metal made, heavy magic lantern which had been imported by early European traders, contrived a paulownia wood made, lightweight magic lantern called "Furo" that could be held against the chest and carried about. This was the first step of "Utsushi-e" toward making the Edo public wonder. "Figures of illustrated storybooks move and perform!"
"It would be fair to say that the Utsushi-e, which gave a performance of projected images complete with dramatic narratives and popular old-style Japanese songs from Sekkyobushi and Gidayu, was the Animation of the Edo Era prior to the Motion Pictures that the Lumiére brothers of France invented in the 18th year of the Meiji Era (1895)."

The International Minzoku Geino Festival of 2009
on the 9h of February, 2010

at the New National Theatre, Tokyo

The International Folk Performing Arts Festival (Kokusai Minzoku Geino Festival) of 2009 sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan will be held at the Playhouse (Chu-gekijo) of New National Theatre, Tokyo (Shin Kokuritsu Gekijo) in February, 2010, giving an Evening Performance on February 9th at 18:30 and a Matinee Performance on February 10th at 12:00 noon.

Program
  • Traditional Estonian Song and Dance of Kihnu Island by the folklore performance group Kihnumua from the Republic of Estonia
  • Traditional Laotian music Mawlum (Morlam) of Isan [Northeast] Thailand by the Phum Phanya (Phumphanya?) Thai tradition group from the Kingdom of Thailand
  • Akiu no Taue-odori [Rice-planting Dance] by Baba no Taue-odori preservation group from Sendai
  • Tawara no Saimon [Paean] by Nara-shi Tawara-chiku Dento Geino preservation group from Nara
  • Takabe no Shishi-mai [Lion Dance] by Takabe Shishi-mai preservation group from Imabari

Seeing this festival is free (No admission fee is required). But you need to apply, specifically, with a Japanese reply-paid postcard that must be completed with all the necessary information (A) and postmarked not later than January 15, 2010. Additionally, when there are a large number of applications, you need to win a "numbered ticket for admission" by lottery.
For an application and an inquiry, please contact Japan Folk Performing Arts Association that is commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan to produce the annual International Folk Performing Arts Festival.

Japan Folk Performing Arts Association (JFPAA)
Address: 6-7-14-102, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan.
JFPAA Web site's English Top Page "Japan Folk Performing Arts Association" [English]
URL: http://www.jfpaa.jp/top/top_e.html

December 5, 2009 Hitomi
New National Theatre, Tokyo (Shin Kokuritsu Gekijo) Address: 1-1-1 Hon-machi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0071, Japan
About 1 minute walk from Hatsudai Station on the Keio New Line (the line that is connected to the Toei subway Shinjuku Line), not on the Keio Line.
New National Theatre Tokyo Web site's English guide map page "Access | About NNTT | New National Theatre, Tokyo" [English]
URL: http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/access/index.html
Note (according to the leaflet that I received yesterday):
(A) (1) Postal address, (2) Name, (3) Age, (4) Occupation, (5) Telephone number, (6) An assigned number to applicant's preferred performance date (1. = Feb 9th Evening  or  2. = Feb 10th Noon), and (7) The number of applicants (No more than 2 applicants per postcard).

"Let's listen to Fushidansekkyo" poster
produced by Kyoto-kyoku Bukkyo Seinen Kai
[Kyoto-parochial Young Buddhist Association]

 
The above poster is for the upcoming open lecture, which will be given on December 2nd, 2009 at the Otani Fujin Kaikan adjacent northward from Higashi Honganji in Kyoto. It shows Rev. Yoshino Sobue speaking in the pulpit (speaking from the traditional preaching dais).

A gathering for hearing Fushidansekkyo sermons in Otsu

November 23, 2009

At the Joso-ji of Rev. Futai Naobayashi, Vice-president of Fushidansekkyo Kenkyu Kai, "Fushidansekkyo wo Kiku Kai" [a gathering for hearing Fushidansekkyo sermons] will be held. Rev. Kenjun Hirooka, the greatest keeper of the flame of Noto-bushi Fushidansekkyo of our day, will come to deliver a sermon from Noto Peninsula.

  • Date and Start Time: Japanese national holiday, November 23, 2009  19:00
  • Preacher: Rev. Kenjun Hirooka (Otani ha Mankaku-ji, Resident Priest, Ishikawa prf.)
  • Omaeza [an opening sermon] Preacher: Rev. Mitsuaki Sugimoto (Hongwanji ha Kotaku-ji, Resident Priest, Hyogo prf.)

For inquiries, please contact the Office of Fushidansekkyo Kenkyu Kai (Honjo-ji Kaikyoin 798-1 Nagafusamachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193-0824 Japan).

October 21, 2009 Hitomi
Joso-ji (Joso Temple)
Address: 4-9 Miyukicho, Otsu-shi, Shiga 520-0057 Japan
It is a 9-minute ride (the rapid train) from JR Kyoto Station to JR Otsu Station on JR-West Tokaido Main Line.
About 5 minutes walk from the north exit of JR Otsu Station.

For those who would like to hear Rev. Yoshino Sobue

Rev. Yoshino's Schedule

The following is Rev. Yoshino's preaching schedule that she told me yesterday (August 21).

  • September 14, 2009, from 14:00, at Tenma Betsuin in Osaka.
  • October 30, 2009 at Shosei-ji in Noto Peninsula.
  • November 7 and 8, 2009 at Saiko-ji in Toyama.
  • November 10, 2009, from 11:00, at Owari Asahi Saijo in Nagoya.
  • December 2, 2009 at Kyoto Kyomusho in Kyoto.
  • December 6, 2009 at Ryakumyo-ji in Tsushima.
  • February 21, 2010 at Yurin-ji in Nagoya -- Yurin-ji Hoonko.

Also, the second "Shonen-ki Fushidansekkyo Taikai" [the Reverend Shonen Sobue Commemorative Fushidansekkyo Meeting] will be held at Yurin-ji in Nagoya on May 30th, 2010.

August 22, 2009 Hitomi
Tenma Betsuin
Address: 1-8-26 Higashi-Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0044 Japan
Shin Shu Otani-ha (Higashi Honganji) Osaka Kyoku [Osaka Parish] "Icho Tsushin" Web site's page providing information on Betsuin temples within the Parish of Osaka "Osaka Kyoku no Betsuin" [Japanese]
URL: http://www.icho.gr.jp/betsuin/betsuin.htm
Kyoto Kyomusho
Address: Karasuma Nishi iru, Hanayacho-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8164 Japan
Shin Shu Otani-ha (Higashi Honganji) TOMO-NET Web site's page providing information on Otani-ha Kyomusho around Japan "Zenkoku Kyoku Ichiran • Kyomusho Shozaichi" [Japanese]
URL: http://www.tomo-net.or.jp/link/kyoku.html
Yurin-ji (Yurin Temple)
Address: 4-5 Tsujimachi, Kita-ku, Nagoya-shi 462-0032 Japan
The nearest subway station is Kamiiida Station on Subway Kamiiida Line. If you take the municipal subway from Nagoya to Kamiiida [with changing lines several times], the routes are: (1) Nagoya → about a 5-minute ride → Sakae Station on Subway Higashiyama Line → about a 10-minute ride → Heiandori Station on Subway Meijo Line → about a 2-minute ride → Kamiiida Station on Subway Kamiiida Line [with changing lines 3 times], (2) Nagoya → about a 4-minute ride → Hisaya-odori Station on Subway Sakuradori Line → about a 8-minute ride → Heiandori Station on Subway Meijo Line → about a 2-minute ride → Kamiiida Station on Subway Kamiiida Line [with changing lines 3 times], etc.

The Tobo-ryu Fushidansekkyo Demonstrative Presentation

The 2nd of September, 2009

The second " Tobo-ryu Fushidansekkyo Jitsuen Kai" [Tobo School Fushidansekkyo Demonstrative Presentation] by the members of Sensho Kai will be given at Kameyama Gobo Hontoku-ji, the "Hongwanji in Banshu," from 13:30 (doors open at 13:00) on Wednesday, September 2, 2009.

The preachers who will deliver sermons are:
  • Rev. Reiko Ashikaga (Enryu-ji in Osu City, Ehime)
  • Rev. Shiro Ikemoto (Hossho-ji in Himeji City, Hyogo)
  • Rev. Kiyoko Saimu (Kinsho-ji in Kakogawa City, Hyogo)
  • Rev. Ryusho Tsujimoto (Goen-ji in Izumiotsu City, Osaka)

Please contact Rev. Shiro Ikemoto's Hossho-ji (31 Kameyama, Shikama-ku, Himeji-shi, Hyogo 672-8047 Japan) for inquiries.

August 22, 2009 Hitomi
Kameyama Gobo Hontoku-ji (Kameyama Hontoku-ji) Address: 324 Kameyama, Himeji-shi, Hyogo 670-0973 Japan
Hontoku-ji (Kameyama Hontoku-ji nai Shin Shu Bunka Kenkyushitsu [The Shin Buddhism Cultural Research Laboratory in Kameyama Hontoku-ji] ) Web site's Top Page "hontokuji" [Japanese]
URL: http://www1.winknet.ne.jp/~k-goboh/

Come and hear Rev. Yoshino Sobue

August 9, 2009

I extract the section on Rev. Yoshino Sobue's preaching schedule from the fifth issue of "Yurin-ji Dayori" that I received today.

(quote/tr.)
• Nagoya Higashi Betsuin Regular Sermon: 7:00, 10:00, and 13:00 on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at Betsuin Taimenjo.
Yoshino delivers Fushidansekkyo sermons at the Betsuin. Anyone can come and hear the sermons.
• Autumnal Eitaikyo Service and Higan Service: 10:00 and 13:00 on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at Yurin-ji.
Dharma Talk by the Reverend Ryushin Suzuki (Tokusen-ji Chief Resident Priest), Opening Sermon by Yoshino Sobue.
Yurin-ji has an Otoki meal available.
(end quote/tr.)

All those who have not listened directly to her Fushidansekkyo, come and hear Rev. Yoshino Sobue on the 9th.

August 1, 2009 Hitomi
Ohigashi Net (Ohigashi Net | Shinshu Otani-ha (Higashi Honganji) Nagoya Higashi Betsuin) Web site's Map of the facilities (buildings) inside the precincts "Nagoya Higashi Betsuin Keidaizu" [Japanese] ( The page that the link represents includes a dynamic image map of the precincts of Nagoya Higashi Betsuin.)
URL: http://www.ohigashi.net/syoukai_keidaizu.html
By clicking on each linked number on the above-mentioned map, you will jump to the place where each description of the facilities inside the precincts starts. For example, on the map, the number assigned to Nagoya Betsuin Taimenjo (the site for Rev. Yoshino Sobue's Fushidansekkyo on August 9) is 16.
Higashi Betsuin (Shinshu Otani-ha Nagoya Betsuin) Address: 2-8-55 Tachibana, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi 460-0016 Japan
About 3 minutes walk from Exit 4 of Higashi Betsuin Station on Subway Meijo Line.
Ohigashi Net Web site's Access Map to Higashi Betsuin [Japanese]
URL: http://www.ohigashi.net/hall/kaikan_access.html

The Karukaya Festival
A "Performing Arts Appreciation" Evening

July 30, 2009

From 18:00 on Thursday the 30th of July, 2009, the 29th "Karukaya Eennichi Geino Kansho no Yube" [Karukaya Festival Performing Arts Appreciation Evening] will be held at a temple that has requickened Etoki in the modern world, namely, Karukaya-san Saiko-ji in Nagano.

  • A Buddhist Service conducted by Rev. Shunyu Takesawa (Karukaya-san Saiko-ji Chief Resident Priest)
  • A Lecture entitled "Kowa, Shodo Bungei no Sekai" [the world of Discourse and Propagandistic Literary Art] by Prof. Masahiko Hayashi (Meiji University)
  • Narative Performances: Relay Etokis --- "Karukaya Doshin Ishidomaru" and "Go-shinshi Go-eden" [the pictures depicting sequences of events of the lives of father (Monk (1) Karukaya) and son (Ishidomaru)]
    • Ms. Shigeko Takesawa (Karukaya-san Saiko-ji Chief Resident Priest's wife)
    • Ms. Tamae Takesawa (Karukaya-san Saiko-ji Adjutant Resident Priest's wife)
  • A Musical Performance: the Theremin & the thirteen-stringed Koto
    • Theremin music played by Mr. Keiya Maruyama
    • Koto music played by Ms. Yae Nakanishi
  • A Recitation Performance: Gidayu titled "Sanjusangendo Munagi no Yurai" [the origin of the ridgepole of Sanjusangen-do]
    • Female Gidayu performed by Ms. Tosae Takemoto (designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset of Japan in 2002)
    • Samisen (Shamisen) performed by Ms. Tsugae Tsuruzawa

Admission to this "Karukaya Eennichi Geino Kansho no Yube" event is free.

July 13, 2009 Hitomi
Karukaya-san Saiko-ji
Address: 1398 Kitaishidocho, Nagano-shi, Nagano 380-0826 Japan
Zenkoku Zenko-ji Kai Web site's Introductions of members of Zenkoku Zenko-ji Kai "Karukaya-san Saiko-ji ☉ Jodo Shu" [Japanese]
URL: http://www.zenkoji.jp/zenkojikai/shinetsu/s-209.html
Note: (1) To put it accurately, the term "Doshin" means "Aspiration for the Way," and, when used as a nominal designation, it refers to "one who aspires to attain Bodhi or Bodhi-mind."

The 2009 Geino Gakkai Geino Seminar
Under the theme of "Sumo"

July 4, 2009

On Saturday the 4th of July, 2009, the annual Geino Seminar will be held by Geino Gakkai [The founder: Dr. Shinobu Orikuchi (d. 1953)] at the Lecture Hall of the main building of Kanda Gaigo Gakuin (Kanda Institute of Foreign Languages). The theme of this year's Geino Seminar of Geino Gakkai is "Sumo" (a) and is to excursion into a relational modality of Sumo and Geino.

The 2009 Geino Gakkai General Assembly 13:00 - 13:30 (Members of Geino Gakkai only)
The 2009 Geino Seminar 14:00 - 17:00 (Doors open for general participants at 13:30)
  • 1. Lectures
    • (1) "Sumo to Geino to" by Nobuhisa Kitagata
    • (2) "Sekitori Senryo-nobori to Kansei Rikishi-den" [The Joruri script titled "Sekitori Senryo-nobori" written by Chikamatsu Hanji (1725-1783) and co-writers, which is said to be based on the life of a famous Edo-period Sumo wrestler named Inagawa, and the lives of Sumo wrestlers in the Kansei era of the Edo period] by Koichi Ikeda
  • 2. Female Gidayu Recitation [Gidayu: a style of reciting the dramatic narratives used in the Joruri puppet theater]
    • "Sekitori Senryo-nobori" ("Inagawa-uchi no Dan" [Episode about Inagawa's wife])
    • • Joruri performed by Living National Treasure Takemoto Komanosuke (designated as a Living National Treasure of Japan in 1999 for her Gidayubushi-joruri)
    • • Samisen (Shamisen) performed by Tsuruzawa Tsugaju
  • 3. Dialogue
    • Takemoto Komanosuke
    • Koichi Ikeda
  • 3. Yagura-daiko Percussion Performance [Yagura-daiko: the signal drum for a sumo tournament]
    • • Yagura-daiko music performed by Tsuruzawa Sansuzu, Tsuruzawa Tsugae, Tsuruzawa Tsugaju, Tsuruzawa Kazu, Tsuruzawa Tsugahana, and Tsuruzawa Kazume.
The 2009 Geino Seminar Closing Session 17:00 (estimated time)

Auditing (Listening in) this Geino Seminar of Geino Gakka is free. Attendance and participation from among non-Society members who are interested in Sumo and its associated performing arts are welcomed.

June 8, 2009 Hitomi
Please note that the artist names are written as they are (e.g., Takemoto Komanosuke with no "first/last name order" change).
(a) Sumo is regarded as the national sport of Japan. Yet its history goes back to ancient times, it is generally accepted, where Sumo was not just a sport, but an event that was linked closely with Shinji (Ritual).
Sumo in early autumn (lunar July or luni-solar July) prior to full heading was held to seek an assurance of fertility by presenting in advance a predetermined favorable outcome of a bout (e.g., whether epical or not, the victory of a visiting god over a local god, that of a god over a spirit, etc.) or to see the divine intention of the gods in the fortune of the fight (a non-predetermined, natural outcome of a match), concerning whether the harvest would be good or bad, though having also had close ties to Water god belief. In the former case, it is just conceivable that the one who was to go down to defeat was often a local earth god (or spirit) due to the agricultural Japanese mentality that the indigenous god (or spirit) was displeased at the "usurping" and "tampering" (inhabitation, farm land reclamation, farm work, etc.) by later comers (human settlers), and would malevolently hinder them from doing well. Accordingly, it resulted in, for example, a defeated local god pledging not to cause harm but to watch over the land in obedience to the orders of a victorious god. Today, "Sumo" refers to a Japanese style of wrestling, in which two large and extremely heavy men wearing belts (loincloths) called "mawashi" wrestle in the round ring on the raised sand and clay platform called "dohyo," and it no longer takes on the aspect of a ritual of "preliminary benediction" or of "divination." But still, the other ritual acts, motions, and symbols consecrate and spiritualize Sumo. To cite a few examples, buried in the center of the dohyo are six auspicious objects or talismans (allegedly, Kachiguri [dried chestnut], Kaya no Mi [Japanese nutmeg nut], Konbu [sea tangle], Senmai [cleansed rice], Shio [salt], and Surume [dried squid]). At the four corners of a roof above the dohyo are seen four distinct colored hanging tassels, which symbolize the four gods supposed to reign over the four corners of the heaven (the blue dragon defending the east, the white tiger defending the west, the red phoenix defending the south, and the black turtle-snake defending the north). There subsists in the stamping of the ground called "shiko" a fragment of ancient belief as in Henbai that was of overarching importance in Jujutsu (magic), the motion of treading the ground underfoot made originally in the mind-set of trampling upon a local spirit or an evil spirit to keep their heads down and curb them.
Kanda Gaigo Gakuin (Kanda Institute of Foreign Languages)
Address: 2-13-13 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 166-8525 Japan
About 2 minutes walk from the west exit of Kanda Station on JR Line, and about 3 minutes walk from the north exit of Kanda Station on Subway Ginza Line.
Kanda Gaigo Gakuin Web site's "Kanda Gaigo Gakuin - Access MAP • Kotsu" [Japanese]
URL: http://www.kandagaigo.ac.jp/kifl/visit/index.html

The Tobo-ryu Fushidansekkyo Demonstrative Presentation

The 26th of June, 2009

The "Tobo-ryu Fushidansekkyo Jitsuen Kai" [Tobo School Fushidansekkyo Demonstrative Presentation] by the members of Sensho Kai (the Head is Rev. Egun Mikogami, the President is Rev. Bunsho Takeuchi) will be given at the main building of Hongwanji Kobe Betsuin, which is fondly referred to as "Modern Temple," in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture from 13:30 (doors open at 13:00) on Friday, June 26, 2009.
I quote Rev. Egun Mikogami's "Message" from a leaflet that I received yesterday.

(quote/tr.) Today, Fushidansekkyo is attracting people's attention.
The Reverend Bunsho Takeuchi, who has presided over Sensho Kai with a view to realizing the succession, diffusion, and diligent study of Tobo-ryu Sekkyo that originated in Tobo Fukusen-ji, takes on the teaching of the members with such ardency and attentiveness as if he were possessed with the Tobo-ryu spirit.
In this presentation by Sensho Kai, you really must see the distinctive composition and unique art of Tobo-ryu Sekkyo that exemplify Fushidansekkyo. Also, you definitely should observe the fact that there are firmly held in Tobo-tyu Sekkyo the most vital truths (teachings) of Shin Buddhism. (end quote/tr.)
The subjects and preachers who will deliver sermons are
(1) "Jippo [Ten directions] Sho: Dai 1 seki" by Rev. Kojun Amano (Junsei-ji in Himeji City),
(2) "Jippo Sho: Dai 2 seki" by Rev. Kakusei Mochizuki (Zentoku-ji in Tatsuno City),
(3) "Jippo Sho: Dai 3 seki" by Rev. Ryuten Honda (Josen-ji in Toyooka City),
(4) "Ryuju [Nagarjuna] Sho: Dai 3 seki" by Rev. Satoe Ashihara (Kakuo-ji in Kagoshima Prefecture), and
(5) "Ryogemon [also called Gaikemon. "The Creed" or "Statement of Conviction" or "Profession of Faith"]: Dai 4 seki" by Rev. Hitoshi Makino (Hoon-ji in Miki City).

Please contact Rev. Shiro Ikemoto's Hossho-ji (31 Kameyama, Shikama-ku, Himeji-shi, Hyogo 672-8047 Japan) for inquiries. Rev. Shiro Ikemoto is the Sewanin [facilitator, steward].

June 1, 2009 Hitomi
Note: Tobo-ryu (the Tobo school) is an about 200 years, established early-modern tradition of Fushidansekkyo. It is said to have begun when Rev. Emon Mikogami (1791-1862), priest of Fukusen Temple in Tobo, Banshu (today's Hyogo Prefecture), while going on propagandist tours throughout the country, set up a training hall named "Kakurin-ryo (-dormitory)" in the temple precincts, and taught Buddhist priests the method for preaching, as well as lecturing on the tenets of Shin Buddhism. Then, Rev. Eryo, a second-generation descendant of Rev. Emon, though he also made missionary tours, stayed at the temple in summer and winter and pursued an education to cultivate boarding priests and prepare them to become fine preachers. It had since grown to become a prominent preacher training hall flocked by Buddhist priests from all over Japan.
cf. Kenryo Mikogami, Gendai Sekkyo no Shinzui (Japan: Kendo Shoin, 1929).
Rev. Bunsho Takeuchi, President of Seisho Kai, encountered Tobo-ryu in 1945, and became a disciple of Rev. Kenryo Mikogami (the grandfather of Rev. Egun Mikogami, Head of Seisho Kai). Rev. Takeuchi is "one of the last pupils" of Tobo School.
Kobe Betsuin (Jodo Shinshu Hongwabji-ha Kobe Betsuin) Address: 8-1-1 Shimo-Yamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi 650-0011 Japan
About 1 minute walk from the West Exit of Hanakuma Station on Hankyu Line. About 3 minutes walk in an northward direction from the East Exit of Nishi-Motomachi Station on Hanshin Line. About 15 minutes walk in an eastward direction from Kobe Station on JR Line.
Hankyu Railway Web site's English page "Hankyu Railway" [English]
URL: http://rail.hankyu.co.jp/en/index.html
Hanshin Electric Rail Way Web site's Top Page "Hanshin Densha" [Japanese]
URL: http://rail.hanshin.co.jp/
JR-East (East Japan Railway Company) Web site's English page "Using JR East" [English]
URL: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/using/index.html
Hongwanji Kobe Betsuin and the Parish of Hyogo (Hyogo Kyoku) Kyomusho Web site's Top Page "Hongwanji Kobe Betsuin • Hyogo Kyoku Kyomusho Home Page ni Yokoso" [Japanese]
URL: http://www.hongwanji-kobe.jp/

The profile of the preachers who will deliver Shonen-ki sermons
received from Rev. Yoshino Sobue

From 10 am on May 31, 2009

"Shonen-ki Dai-ichi-kai Fushidansekkyo Taikai" [the first Reverend Shonen Sobue Commemorative Fushidansekkyo Meeting] will be held at Yurin-ji in Nagoya from 10 am on May 31st, 2009. I have just received the profile of the preachers from Rev. Yoshino Sobue, and I am going to post it below, with supplementary explanations by me (displayed in gray font color).

--- Morning Sermons---
1. "Rennyo Shonin Kosui Watari" [Rennyo Shonin crossing over a lake]
Tamon Sugiu Born in 1983. Chomyo-ji Adjutant Resident Priest in Fukuoka.
Rev. Shonen Sobue's recorded sermon entitled "Shinran Shonin Go-ichidai-ki" having touched him to the core, he came to aspire to be a preacher.
An appointed Preacher to deliver a vigil sermon at the Hongwanji Memorial Service for Shinran [Goshoki] in 2007 and 2008.
2. "Ki no Jinshin to Ho no Jinshin" [Two types of deep Faith, deep Faith of Ki (to believe deeply and unwaveringly that "in truth we are ordinary unenlightened beings subject to birth and death, who from the remotest past up to the present time have been forever floundering in samsara, and that we have no way of freeing ourselves" - Tannisho) and deep Faith of Ho (to believe deeply and unwaveringly that "the Forty-eight Vows of Amida Buddha enfold sentient beings, enabling them to board his Vow-Power and attain Birth" - Kyogyoshinsho) .]
Hironori Fukushima Born in 1957. Anyo-ji Chief Resident Priest in Shiga.
Directer of NPO "Gogasha," a "Free School" [a school for school-rejection syndrome students and withdrawal students] certified by the Kyoto City Board of Education.
3. "Hachi-man no Hozo: Ishibashi Jukan and Nishikiori Genshu" [The Eighty Thousand Teachings - Ofumi: Jukan Ishibashi and Genshu Nishikiori (medical doctors in the Edo period, who are also known as devout Nembutsu practitioners).]
Gihaku Fugoshi Born in 1951. Honjo-ji Chief Resident Priest in Tokyo.
Executive Director of Fushidansekkyo Kenkyu Kai.
Having guided by the late Rev. Yukihisa Muto, he entered into the Fushidansekkyo world. With the passing of Rev. Muto, he took over a post as Chairman of Executive Committee of Fushidansekkyo Fukyo Taikai at Tsukiji Hongwanji in Tokyo in July, 2007.
He has undertaken steadfast endeavors to render or adapt classical sermon texts and to bring forth new sermons. There are over twenty "signature" sermons of Rev. Fugoshi.
--- Afternoon Sermons---
4. "Katen Kyodai" [Katen Brother and Sister (from the Korean legend of the caster of the bronze Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (the Emile Bell) and his sister and her little daughter).]
Shinryo Koizumi Born in 1957. Josen-ji Chief Resident Priest in Hyogo.
Director of Social Welfare Juridical Person Josen Hoikuen.
Flight Instructor of Japan Students Aviation League (JSAL) and Coach of Aviation Club of Ryukoku University.
Commonly known as "Singer Song Bon-san" [singer-songwriter priest].
Having once struggled to make a manuscript for a three-minute talk when assigned to the "Telephone Dharma Talk," he grew desperate and, finally, he sang a "filksong" to his own accompaniment on the guitar, and, though unexpected, that got a great response from the listeners. This led to his "singing with the guitar" missionary work. He presented himself for "Hangwanji-ha Fukyoshi [Preacher] Examination" with his guitar. Rev. Koizumi is the first Appointed Missionary to have ever become officially recognized by the Hongwanji-ha denomination in Japan as a guitar playing missionary.
In 2002 and 2007, he was engaged in international missionary work under the Australia Hongwanji.
5. "Genemon no Namakubi" [Genemon's freshly severed head (an anecdote of the ultimate self-sacrifice of Genemon and his son in the days of the 8th Chief Abbot Rennyo).]
Yoshino Sobue Born in 1967. Yurin-ji Deputy Chief Resident Priest (the succession, 2011) in Nagoya.
Raised from birth with hearing the sermons of her grandfather, Rev. Shonen Sobue [earned the reputation of the best Fushidansekkyo preacher in Japan].
Although after the passing of her grandfather, she, in her sorrow, had detached herself from preaching for its own sake, yet meeting with many preachers at Fushidansekkyo Fukyo Taikai held at Tsukiji Hongwanji in 2007 inspired her, and she has decided to follow in her grandfather's path.
This time, she takes on delivering "Genemon no Namakubi" that was Rev. Shonen Sobue's "forte" and one of his "signature" sermons.

Rev. Yoshino, thank you very much. I am anxiously looking forward to hearing your "Genemon no Namakubi" on May 31st.

April 28, 2009 Hitomi

The Missionary Meeting by Space Saranam
focusing on the image of Shinran among the people

The 10th of June, 2009

The second missionary meeting themed "The World of Shinran Shonin: Shinran As Seen by the People (the image of Shinran as carried by the people)" by Space Saranam, which is composed of two parts, will be held at two different sites in Nagoya.

Date and Time: Wed June 10, 2009  13:00 - 17:30
Place: Higashi Betsuin Kaikan and Higashi Betsuin (Shinshu Otani-ha Nagoya Betsuin) Taimenjo
Part I: Ken Ito Seminar entitled "Laughing Shinran"13:00Higashi Betsuin Kaikan 2F
Lecturer: Ken Ito (Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo)
Panelists: Yoshiko Nishimura (Professor at Wakayama Medical University), Takateru Hazuka (Adjunct Lecturer at Otani University), and Atena Gabriela (Appointed Missionary of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha).
Part II: Missionary Meeting15:00Higashi Betsuin Taimenjo
"Warau Shinran Josetsu" [Introduction to "Laughing Shinran"] by Ken Ito
"Deatta Shinran" [Shinran that I have encountered] by Atena Gabriela
"Katarareta Shinran" [Shinran that has been narrated] by Takamichi Ito (Otani-ha Jiko-ji Resident Priest)
"Hanasareta Shinran" [Shinran that has been told] by Takakazu Hazuka (Otani-ha Joshin-ji Resident Priest)

(honorific prefixes omitted)

Please contact Rev. Takakazu Hazyka's Joshin-ji for inquiries. Rev. Takakazu Hazyka's Joshin-ji Web site's Top Page "Joshin-ji Home Page (Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City)." [Japanese]
URL: http://www.jiin.or.jp/

April 22, 2009 Hitomi
Ohigashi Net (Ohigashi Net | Shinshu Otani-ha (Higashi Honganji) Nagoya Higashi Betsuin) Web site's Map of the facilities (buildings) inside the precincts "Nagoya Higashi Betsuin Keidaizu" [Japanese] ( The page that the link represents includes a dynamic image map of the precincts of Nagoya Higashi Betsuin.)
URL: http://www.ohigashi.net/syoukai_keidaizu.html
By clicking on each linked number on the above-mentioned map, you will jump to the place where each description of the facilities inside the precincts starts. For example, on the map, the number assigned to Nagoya Betsuin Taimenjo (the site for "The World of Shinran Shonin: Shinran As Seen by the People" Part II on June 10) is 16.
Higashi Betsuin (Shinshu Otani-ha Nagoya Betsuin) Address: 2-8-55 Tachibana, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi 460-0016 Japan
About 3 minutes walk from Exit 4 of Higashi Betsuin Station on Subway Meijo Line.
Ohigashi Net Web site's Access Map to Higashi Betsuin [Japanese]
URL: http://www.ohigashi.net/hall/kaikan_access.html

Eitaikyo Service to commemorate the 10th anniversary
of "Resident Priest having entered into the temple"

At the Ganjo-ji

I am delighted to hear that Ganjo-ji marks the 10th year since Jushoku [Resident Priest] entered into Ganjo-ji. I would like to express my joy and congratulations to the Ganjo-ji and the Ganjo-ji parishioners.

At the Ganjo-ji of Rev. Keiko Washizaka, Eitaikyo Service ("Eitaikyo" is short for "Eitai Dokkyo" ["Reciting sutras in perpetuity"]) to commemorate its 10th anniversary of "Jushoku Nyuji [Resident Priest having entered into the temple]" will be held on April 15th, 2009. Rev. Hojo Matsushima (Hongwanji-ha Senpuku-ji Resident Priest, noted for his applicable Fushidansekkyo preaching for this day and age) will come to deliver a sermon on the occasion of this commemorative Service.

  • Date and Start Time: Wed April 15, 2009  13:00
  • Preacher: "Fushidansekkyo" Propagator  Rev. Hojo Matsushima

Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Zozu-san Ganjo-ji Address: 836 Gojo, Kotohiracho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa-ken 766-0003 Japan

April 5, 2009 Hitomi

A reminiscence

As an individual

There was a friend who got intrigued with, as her "personal faith" (her own faith), a certain Buddhist teaching that was preached not by her "family temple," a temple that her family had had a long standing membership with and her parents supported as Buddhist parishioners, and even not by her "family religion" (the same denomination to which her "family temple" belonged). For she had no acquaintances in the denomination based on the teaching, she believed, there was nothing she could do. I once said to her that she should contact a Buddhist temple of the teaching, with the conviction that any temple would respond to her and guide her in some way or other if she would earnestly and genuinely ask a question of a priest at the temple. She, however, gave up.

At that time, I took it that she was just lacking in earnestness. But, from a recent experience that I had, I came to realize the "difficulties" (even if the "difficulties" are objectively-unfounded) involved in contacting Buddhist temples in Japan as an individual neither with an introducer nor with a letter of introduction, in a way, as she conceived them.

March 27, 2009 Hitomi
A postscript: After having written the above personal remark, I received an E-mail asking if there would be created opportunities for an individual with no introduction from a priest or parishioner within the religious order of Jodo Shu (the Jodo Shu Buddhist denomination) to be cultivated with Honen Shonin's teaching. I have asked the Reverend Ryushin Ishikawa, who was my senior at the grad school and is a stellar Jodo Shu priest.

1. At the Jodo Shu Main Temple Zojo-ji (4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011 Japan), anyone can listen to the "Daiden Sekkyo [Sermon in the Main Hall] " given by a priest every Sunday morning from 9:00 to 10:00, and, subsequently, talk with the priest over a cup of tea during the "Shinko Sodan [Faith Counseling]" time from 10:00 to 11:00.
Jodo Shu Main Temple Zojo-ji's English Guidance page "Main Temple of Joso Shu (Pure Land Sect) of Buddhism" [English]
URL: http://www.zojoji.or.jp/en/index.html

2. At the Bukkyo Joho Center (Nicho Bldg. 3F, 1-17-5 Hakusan, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0001 Japan), special help lines have been set up for those who have worries, doubts, problems, and various concerns related to Buddhist masses and faith and life. Buddhist priests from diverse denominations, who volunteer their services, respond to them every weekday (Telephone consultation Monday through Friday, from 10:00 to 12:00 in the morning and from 13:00 to 16:00 in the afternoon), and Jodo Shu priests answer the phone on every Thursday (Soto Shu priests and Rinzai Shu priests on every Monday, Jodo Shinshu priests on every Tuesday, Nichiren Shu priests on every Wednesday, Tendai Shu priests and Shingon Shu priests on every Friday).
Bukkyo Joho Center's Web site's Top Page "Bukkyo Joho Center TOP" [Japanese]
URL: http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~bukkyo/

Rev. Ishikawa, I am much obliged to you for providing valuable informations, which will be useful not only to the person, but also to many other persons. Thank you so much! (March 28, 2009 Hitomi Dever)

Record of Fushidansekkyo Hoza held
at Kitamido on March 5, 2009

on DVD

Thank you very much for an announcement on the digitization (digitalization) of the recorded Fushidansekkyo Hoza [literally, Dharma seat], which was held at Kitamido (the official name: Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Hongwanji Tsumura Betsuin) in Osaka on March 5th, 2009, waiting with anticipation for Shinran Shonin 750th Memorial Observance themed on "Peace and Tranquility."

A DVD titled "Fushidansekkyo ha ima yomigaeru" has just been released. The preachers on the DVD are:
Rev. Shojo Fujino (Otani-ha Jonen-ji Resident Priest, noted for Fujino-bushi [Rev. Fujino's original ballad-esque tune]),
Rev. Kosho Sasaki (Hongwanji-ha Joho-ji Resident Priest, an appointed Missionary of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha),
Rev. Atena Gabriela Cosofret (1) (a Romanian priest, an appointed Missionary of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha).

For its contents and publication, please visit its Web page.
"Fushidansekkyo | Kitamido (Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Tsumura Betsuin)" [Japanese]
URL: http://www.fushidan.net/

March 23, 2009 Hitomi
Note (concerning the name of the Reverend Cosofret):
(1) "Cosofret Atena Gabriela" written in Japanese katakana phonetic scripts is the Reverend's publicly distributed name in Japan. Well, I am going to refer to the people in charge of the DVD publication as to the name of Rev. Atena Gabriela Cosofret (Cosofret Atena Gabriela) lest I should make a mistake in writing her name in the Latin alphabet, including the Romanian word order for names, and I will wait for an answer to my inquiry.
A postscript: Now that I learned that I might not be able to rely on the DVD publisher for correctness. I will ask the temple (Zuiko-ji in Osaka) with which Rev. Cosofret is affiliated. In the meantime, please excuse me if the order of her name mentioned above is reversed.
I am most grateful to the Reverend Kyokai Oku, Hongwanji-ha Zuiko-ji Resident Priest, for returning my call the first thing in the morning and answering to my inquiry.
According to Rev. Oku, "Cosofret Atena Gabriela" is her official name in Japan. Probably I might as well write Rev. Cosofret's name in the same order as in Japanese katakana phonetic scripts.

"Yurin-ji Hoonko" and "Shonen-ki"

At the Yurin Temple

The following is a 2009 schedule of events at the Yurin-ji [Yurin Temple] of Rev. Yoshino Sobue.
  • February 14 -- Yurin-ji Hoonko morning service and afternoon service
    The morning service is "Kodomo Hoonko" [Children's Hoonko] with kindergarten children of Tokufu Yojien.
    Dharma Talk by Rev. Shinrei Honda (Rensai-ji)
  • February 15 -- Yurin-ji Hoonko morning service and afternoon service
    Omaeza [an opening Fushidansekkyo sermon] by Rev. Yoshino Sobue
    Fusahidansekkyo by Rev. Yutaka Tamura (Saikei-ji) [Rev. Tamura used to be an apprentice of the late Rev. Shonen Sobue.]
  • March 15 -- Spring Higane [Higan Service], Eitaikyo Service ("Eitaikyo" is short for "Eitai Dokkyo" ["reciting sutras in perpetuity"].)
  • May 22 -- The first anniversary of Rev. Shodo Sobue's death.
  • May 31 -- Shonen-ki [the anniversary of Rev. Shonen Sobue's death], Fushidansekkyo training convention.
  • September 20 -- Autumn Higane, Eitaikyo (Eitai Dokkyo) Service

Additionally, Byakuren Kai, a study meeting is held on the 22nd of each month at Yurin-ji, the objective of which is to read the true meaning of the Shoshinge ["The Hymn of True Faith"] with care through rendering every single word of the classical Chinese-style text into Japanese.

February 13, 2009 Hitomi

The first installment in a series of Ken Ito Seminar
on Fushidansekkyo

at Nikken Building in Jinbocho

With Rev. Yoshino Sobue as a lecturer, the first installment in a series of Ken Ito Seminar on Fushidansekkyo, "Sobue Shonen no Sokuseki" [Shonen Sobue's footsteps], will be given on Thursday the 12th of February, 2009.

Ken Ito Seminar "Nihon Minshu Wagei no Genten, Fushidansekkyo: Sono Hyogen to Kanosei" [The origin of Japanese popular verbal arts, Fushidansekkyo: Its expressivity and potential]
Date and Time: Thu February 12, 2009  18:30 - 20:30
Place: Nikken Bldg. 9F, 3-1-6, Jinbocho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (the corner of the intersection called Sendai-mae [Senshu University front] crossing)
Organizer: Forum Jinbocho
Lecturers: Ken Ito and Yoshino Sobue
(honorific prefixes omitted)

Please note that seminars given by Forum Jinbocho are identified as the study meetings for people involved in the media. Applications for auditing are being accepted from the general public. But there may be cases, it is explicitly stated, where people in the media, including the press and TV, will be given priority.
Forum Jinbocho's Web site's Top Page "Forum Jinbocho =TOP=." [Japanese]
URL: http://www.forum-j.com/index.html

January 30, 2009 Hitomi
Dr. Ken Ito is an Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Information Studies at the University of Tokyo and one of his special fields is "the Musical Art and its cognitive basis."

The 2nd Kumano-gaku Forum on January 10th, 2009

at the Meiji University Liberty Hall

Having Professor Masahiko Hayashi as a coordinator, who is the foremost authority in the field of Etoki study, the 2nd Kumano-gaku [Study of Kumano] Forum will be held at the Meiji University Liberty Hall in Liberty Tower on the 10th of January, 2009, in the form of "relay" lectures on the quintessence of Kumano and the attraction of Kumano Kodo [the ancient road of Kumano], with visual images.

The 2nd Kumano-gaku Forum "Kumano no Sekai-isan no Miryoku wo kataru"
Date and Time: Sat January 10, 2009  13:30 - 17:00 (Doors open at 12:30)
Place: Meiji University Liberty Hall (Meiji University Liberty Tower)
Organizers: Shingu City

 Meiji University

Coordinator: Prof. Masahiko Hayashi (Meiji University)
Relay Lectures
"Kumano Sanzan to Kodo wo toru" by Mr. Koji Kusumoto (Photographer)
"Kumano Kodo to Shinrin" by Mr. Yasukuni Mizuno (Vice President of the Nanki Seibutsu Doko Kai)
"Seichi, Kumano no Shinzui" by Prof. Masataka Suzuki (Keio University)
Presentation of Etoki in English
"Kumano Mandala Etoki" performed by Ms. Kyoko Fukutsuji (Ima Kumano Bikuni [a modern-day Kumano Bikuni])

Auditing (Listening in) the 2nd Kumano-gaku Forum is free (No fee). But you need to apply in advance to participate in this forum. The Office of the Meiji University Liberty Academy will accept the first 490 persons.
Meiji University Liberty Academy official Web site
"Meiji Daigaku Liberty Academy" [Japanese] ( The page that the link represents includes a dynamic image such as Flash.)
URL: http://academy.meiji.jp/

January 2, 2009 Hitomi

The "Wa-gaku you" New Year's presentation

Wednesday 7th January, 2009

I thank to the Japan Asia Fine Arts Association for the letter accompanied by a program announcement on the "Wa-gaku you" New Year's presentation.

Japanese traditional performing arts experience will be presented by "Wa-gaku you" at the Asian Culture Center of Japan Asia Fine Arts Association at 19:00 on the 7th of January, 2009. The announcement says that this New Year's presentation is to be combined with a send-off party for its performances in the Kingdom of Thailand, which is committed to bringing awareness and appreciation of the Japanese traditional performing arts and culture to audiences.

This forthcoming presentation by "Wa-gaku you" at the Asian Culture Center is a prior booking essential, fee-paid event with drinks (All proceeds will be used as the "Asian Children's Exchange Foundation" organized by NPO Japan Asia Fine Arts Association).
For a reservation and an inquiry, please contact Japan Asia Fine Arts Association.
Japan Asia Fine Arts Association official Web page Specified Nonprofit Organization Japan Asia Fine Arts Association [Japanese]
URL: http://www.j-asia.jp/

December 5, 2008 Hitomi
Asian Culture Center of Japan Asia Fine Arts Association
Address: Ginza Sanbankan II Building 8F, 3-11-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 Japan
The nearest stations are Ginza Station (Exit A12) on Subway Ginza Line and Higashi-Ginza Station (Exit A7 and A8) on Subway Asakusa Line and Higashi-Ginza Station (Exit 3) on Subway Hibiya Line. Ginza Sanbankan II Building is on Matsuya Dori [Matsuya Street].

Members of the "Wa-gaku you" (their stage names with honorific prefixes omitted)

"Wa-gaku you" is a group (unit) formed by Japan's classical dancers and traditional musicians with the hope that "Japanese children who will lead the next would be able to cultivate their pride in their country and rich spirit through their actual experience with the beauty of Japanese traditional culture."


Reverend Professor Daiji Yamanoi

I would like to express my deepest condolences

I quote from Rev. Prof. Daiji Yamanoi's "Goaisatsu" [An Address] in the brochure, Sekaiheiwa Kinen: Shomyo Kokyo II — Mitsugon Jodo Shomyo & Gregorian Chant DA PACEM (Nagano, Zenkoji, 1995).
(quote/tr.) At a time when a way to establish world peace is once again sought after fifty years since the end of the Second World War and in the situation where differences of faith and religion tend to be flashpoints for conflicts, the presentation of Oriental and Occidental religious music, transcending racial and religious differences, in the main hall of Shinshu Zenkoji that is seen as the headquarters [Mecca] of Japanese popular Buddhism, it must be said, possesses great significance. (end quote/tr.)

I felt overwhelmed by the depth and breadth of that which Rev. Prof. Yamanoi approached and viewed when I saw the dedicated performances to world peace, reverent Gregorian Chant of the Roman Catholic Church by specialists of Cantori Gregoriani from Milan, Italy and solemn Shomyo Chant of Buddhism by monks of Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei and of Tendai Shomyo Onritsu Kenkyukai, before the Tathagata in the main sanctuary of Zenkoji on November 1st, 1995.

In remembrance of Rev. Prof. Yamanoi, I put the palms of my hands together in prayer, with deep respect and gratitude for him and his tutelage.

November 26, 2008 Hitomi Dever

The Meeting of Geino Gakkai on the 6th of December, 2008

at Dai-kogishitsu of Kokuritsu Nohgaku-do

The Geino Gakkai 2008 Meeting for Reading Research Papers will be held at the Large Lecture Hall of Noh Theatre of the National Theatre of Japan (Kokuritsu Nohgaku-do) on Saturday the 6th of December, 2008.

Part I: Presentation of Research Papers 11:00 - 12:30
"Yamanashi-ken Mushono no Nembutsu nitsuite" (1) by Makoto Ikehara (Kawasaki City Nakahara Library)
"Kankoku no Hoshi (Popsa) no Kut" (2) by Shoko Murakami (Professor at Takushoku University)
"Odawara, 'Kiri Okura' kara mieru ni san no Mondai'" (3) by Hiroyo Naito [Naitou] (Collateral Lecturer at Kokugakuin University)
--- A sixty-minute recess (lunch) ---
Part II: Lecture and Demonstrative Performance 13:30 - 16:45
Lecture "Gendai Nohgaku no Choryu" [The Current of Contemporary Noh]
Lecturer: Hisashi Hata (Professor at Musashino University)
--- A fifteen-minute recess (15:00 - 15:15) ---
Performance "Ichigen-kin no Miryoku" [The Appeal of One-stringed Koto]
Performer: Ichiyo Saito (One-stringed Koto Player, Guardian of the Seikyodo Ichigen-kin school of Koto Music)
Appreciator: Tadashi Nakamura (Head of the City Folklore Center)
(honorific prefixes omitted)

Auditing (Listening in) this entire meeting of Geino Gakka is free (No fee). Attendance and participation in this meeting from among non-Society members who are interested in the above rituals and performing arts are welcomed.

November 5, 2008 Hitomi
Noh Theatre of the National Theatre of Japan (Kokuritsu Nohgaku-do) Address: 4-18-1, Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0051, Japan
About 5 minutes walk from Sendagaya Station on JR Line. About 5 minutes walk from Exit A4 of Kokuritsu-kyogijo Station on Subway Oedo Line.
Japan Arts Council Web site's Kokuritsu Nohgaku-do Theatre Guide and Access Map [Japanese]
URL: http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/gekijo/nou/index.html
Note (according to the résumé that I received today):
(1) On the Nembutsu prformed in Mushono, Yamanashi Prefecture, or Koshu Rokusai Nembutsu, the Nembutsu on the six precept-observing (abstinence) days in Koshu Province (now Yamanashi Prefecture), viewing it not as a variation of Rokusai Nembutsu performed in the Kansai region but as a practice with a distinctively "Koshu Rokusai Nembutsu" religious cosmos.
(2) On a "Kut" or "Gut" (Ritual) performed by monks in Chungcheong Province, South Korea, centering upon the meaning and role of the handcrafted "Seolgyeong" or "Seolwiseolgyeong" made from paper and the progression of the "Kut" or "Gut," which the results of her field study show.
(3) On a few issues emerged from around the Kiri-za theater in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture and the Early Edo female performer called "Kiri Okura" who was the proprietor of the Kiri-za theater in Edo and whose grave is in Odawara, which have not been able to be seen from a conventional Edo Kiri-za-centered perspective alone.
Note (as to the transcribed word "Kut" or "Gut" from Korean):
Ms. Maria Kongju-Seo (Maria K. Seo), the author of Hanyang Kut: Korean Shaman Ritual Music from Seoul (Routledge, 2002), spells the term k-u-t and says "Kut (Ritual)" in her book (p.11).
(quote) ... are my recollections of a kut (ritual) that I attended... (end quote)
In Commemoration of 60th Anniversary of the Republic of Korea, Korean Folk Performances for Visitors (PDF file, 2008) published by the National Folk Museum of Korea spells the term g-u-t and says "Ritual (Gut)" in the headline (p. 17).
(quote) Shamanic Ritual (Gut) for Celebrating Chuseok (end quote)
Please note that Professor Shoko Murakami uses the Japanese katakana syllabary and write the term in katakana in her title, which is "Ku" followed by a so-called small "tsu" in Japanese, a glottal stop regarded as a phoneme.

A China-Korea-Japan music drama collaboration
under the editorship of Professor Haruo Misumi
and the directorship of Mr. Tatsuo Azuma

October 28th, 2008

Under the editorship of Professor Haruo Misumi and the directorship of Mr. Tatsuo Azuma, a China-Korea-Japan music drama collaboration titled "KONKICHI" will be presented at the Cerulean Tower Nogaku-do [Noh Theatre], with the various brilliances of three Asian countries (China, Korea, and Japan), including Mr. Motonari Ohkura (OHKURA Motonari, Noh comic drama "Kyogen" actor), Mr. Kyozo Nakamura (NAKAMURA Kyozo, Kabuki actor), Mr. "Lucky Ikeda" (Choreographer and Entertainer), Mr. Ran Guan (GUAN Ran, Beijing [classical Chinese] opera actor), Ms. "Yang Chen" [Ms. Wen-chiang Qian] (Singer), Mr. Hongjun Liu (LIU Hongjun, Composer and Musician), Ms. Ol Kim (KIM Ol, zither-like Korean traditional stringed instrument "Gayageum" player). I have heard that it is telling the preciousness of harmonious coexistence with nature and love.

Tue, October 28, 2008
Matinee: 15:00 (the doors open at 14:30)
Evening performance: 19:00 (the doors open at 18:30)

This forthcoming presentation of the China-Korea-Japan music drama collaboration at the Cerulean Tower Nogaku-do is a fee-paid event, and the audiences have to purchase tickets.
For a ticket and an inquiry, please visit the Homepage of "KONKICHI" which is set up on Japan Asia Fine Arts Association's Web site.
Music Drama KONKICHI [Japanese] ( The page that the link represents includes a dynamic image such as Flash.)
URL: http://www.j-asia.jp/konkichi/

October 9, 2008 Hitomi
Cerulean Tower Address: 26-1, Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-8512, Japan
Leave Shibuya Station either by the west exit of the south ticket gate of JR Line or by the south ticket gate of Tokyu Toyoko Line. Walk from the West Bus Terminal in front of Tokyu Plaza Shibuya on the west side of Shibuya Station toward Route 246 and you will see a high-rise building on the left side along Route 246, that is, Cerulean Tower.
Cerulean Tower Web site's Cerulean Tower Access Map [English] URL: http://www.ceruleantower.com/english/index_a.html
Note: Music Drama Konkichi is based on a popular children's book entitled "Konkichi the lonely fox" written by Japanese author Shinji Tajima, which has been translated into about 28 different languages (English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, etc.) and is widely read.
Mr. Hongjun Liu — Graduated from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in 1967. After his continuing education and devotion to music at the National Beijing Opera Theatre of China and the Central Conservatory of Music (its Graduate School of Musical Composition), he joined the Symphony Orchestra of China Opera and Dance Drama Theatre and became the first flutist. Mr. Hongjun Liu came to Japan in 1980, and studied under the late Professor Fumio Koizumi at Tokyo University of the Arts (the former name: Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music) who was a pioneer in Ethno-musicology in Japan. Mr. Hongjun Liu composed for the NHK TV program, "The Silk Road harukanaru shirabe." He, with Mr. Ryuichi Sakamoto, worked on music composition and performance for the movie, "The Last Emperor." Mr. Hongjun Liu has formed a group of musical specialists called "Tenpyo Gafu" to realize the reproduction of the Court music of the Tang dynasty, China, by reproducing musical instruments of the Tang period in the possession of the Shosoin (a Japanese Imperial Treasury built in the eighth century) and playing them. Mr. Hongjun Liu is considered to be a leading Asian Ethno-musicology and Music figure.

Rev. Yoshino Sobue's "'The hardships of the founder"
and
Rev. Takakazu Hazuka's "Dharma-Art unity"

A much-awaited "Tune" and a lambent "Vision"

What I had been awaiting was Rev. Yoshino Sobue's Fushi [tune]. Rev. Yoshino used a tune in her preaching entitled "'Gokaisan no Gokuro" [The hardships of the founder] yesterday. I was so delighted. It was a distinctively Rev. Yoshino's own, and created her dynamic Fushidansekkyo.

Rev. Takakazu Hazuka made clear distinction yesterday between the Dharma (Ho) and the Art (Gei) with a view to facilitating further comprehension of "Ho Gei Ichinyo" [Dharma-Art unity]. I marvel, whenever sit under Rev. Hazuka, for he makes one approach after another and sets out his vision with expressivity.

September 19, 2008 Hitomi
A postscript: When happening to sit next to each other or front to back of one another, regardless of whether one knows the other or not, Shin Buddhists in Nagoya have offered a cushion, "Here's a cushion, please sit on it," shared their candies, "Would you like a candy? I have some," held out their hands, and called out, "Mine can wait," to anyone (for example, to me even when they don't know who I am or where I come from). And I think, with each of these passing moments, Shin Buddhists in Nagoya practice Shin Buddhism. In general, there has been an increase in the opportunity to view certain types of "relation" and "meeting" where something is, it would appear to me, dried up (for example, without any introducer or any letter of introduction, those who attend do not give the time of day to those whom are also present). Yet, having seen Nagoya's Shin Buddhists, I was able to feel that "we exist together," and then I remembered the late Reverend Shonen Sobue's word: "With Shinjin [Faith, the "Faith of the Other-Power"], we can be good friends with others no matter who they are. We are all Companions, we are all Fellow-practitioners."

I have removed my previous personal remarks dated on or before September 5, 2008 from this "News" page and placed them on the "Previous News Archive" page.
URL: http://www.hdever.com/previousbonenkaie.html

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