IZUMO TAISHA NEWSLETTER

AUTUMN 2017
IZUMO TAISHAKYO MISSION OF HAWAII
VOL. N1 ISSUE 2
215 N. KUKUI ST., HONOLULU, HI 96817
Telephone: 538-7778 Fax: 599-2786 E-mail: izumotaishahawaii@gmail.com

IZUMO OFFICE AND COTTAGE RENOVATION AS 110th ANNIVERSARY

PROJECTS HAVE CONTINUE
Izumo Taisha has embarked on the restoration and improvements of its facilities as a part of the 110th Anniversary
program. We have completed the reflooring of the main hall and office area, installed energy efficient air conditioning
system and added additional security cameras. The Missions parking lot has been re-sealed and new landscaping
has been added to the perimeter of the site. The trees and shrubs used on the landscaping was donated by Takano-
Nakamura Landscaping.
In the immediate future, we are planning on installing 44 new photo voltaic solar panels on Yamane Halls roof with
an additional 30 panels on the new cottage/kitchen/restroom building structure. The new building is currently being
designed with construction estimated to begin in 2018. Thank you very much for your donations!
111th OMATSURI/THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION WITH PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE,
FELLOWSHIP, DINNER AND ENTERTAINMENT

Sunday, Oct. 8
1 pm - 5 pm

The spirit of Omatsuri/Thanksgiving festival is

universal. Since ancient times, people have shown the
happy expression of thanksgiving to the Gods not only
for the bountiful harvest in autumn but also as the
expression of gratitude for blessings in our daily lives.
It is an expression of thank you to all those who have
contributed to our well-being. All cultures, including the
pilgrims who founded the United States, have observed
their own Omatsuri or Thanksgiving Day. Expressing
gratitude is a natural, universal, expression of people
around the world.
At Izumo Taisha, we likewise appreciate the blessings
and guidance of the Kami (Gods) and those immigrants
who founded the Izumo Taisha Shrine organization
in 1906. We also appreciate those descendants who
have continued to maintain this legacy for over a Mochi maki or mochi throwing shares the blessing of
hundred years. Last year 2016, we celebrated our 110th Omatsuri with everyone attending.
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anniversary together with the Superintendent (Kancho)
of Izumo headquarters, Shimane, Japan. The anniversary
banquet was also held at Sheraton Waikiki ball room. This
year is the first year going ahead to the next legendary
anniversary.
Shinto worship service will be observed by Bishop Daiya
Amano and Rev. Jun Miyasaka and other priests and
Shrine Maidens (Miko). The new rice harvest of this year
will be offered to Kami, a classical Japanese prayer and a
sacred dance will be dedicated at the service.
After the service, there will be a stage program at
the social hall. The speeches from representatives are
presented and a mochi-throwing ceremony will be
performed with elected and community leaders. This is to
share the blessing with attendees.
Celebratory local food will be served by the ladies group
(Fujinkai) and various entertainment will be presented on
the stage. There will be authentic Japanese and Okinawan
dance and drumming and also family fun like a magic
show and karaoke. Free parking will be available at Hawaii
USA Federal Credit Union and Kukui Center which is next
to the Shrine. Anyone visiting the Shrine is invited to this
festival. Please enjoy and have a fun!

Members of Izumo Taisha participating with Mikoshi.

Exercising before entering the water for Misogi.

MONTHLY MISOGI, down to the rough ocean waters

RITUAL BATHING AT THE
BEACH STARTED
Here in Hawaii, we are almost
always experiencing a pleasant
climate and peaceful atmosphere
throughout the year. We should be
thankful for this, but sometimes we
need to experience some severe
impacts or austerities that awaken
us to become more conscious of our
daily lives.
Since some of members went to
Seattle, Washington, to observe the
extreme Misogi, or ritual bathing in
the freezing river, Rev. Jun has been
reflecting about some activities
which give spice to our daily and
continuous warm lives. That is why
he started doing his own Misogi once
a month, very early in the morning at
the beach from May, 2016.
Along with a few friends, Rev. Jun
began his own Misogi at 5:00 a.m. at
Makapuu, near Sandy Beach.
They wore white kimono indicating
purity and cleanliness, recited
prayers at the shore, and did some
vigorous exercises. Finally, they went
with great enthusiasm, soaking in the
water while reciting prayers asking
Kami for spiritual cleansing and
purification. This is the typical Shinto
strict ritual called Misogi, or ritual
bathing. The water is not cold like our
Headquarters in Shimane or Seattle,
but the waves were strong so it was
extremely refreshing. After returning
to the shore, they did breathing
exercises to absorb the energy of
nature. At that time, they saw the
sun rising from the horizon, shining
Soaking in the ocean as a part of Misogi.
brightly right in front of them. They
were totally blessed by sunshine and
ocean, filled with the energy from
heaven and earth. It was impressive
and they felt Something Great or
Divine from the natural phenomenon
of this experience. This inspiration is
the basis of the Shinto faith.
Since last year, we attempt to try
this once in each month (usually
Full Moon evening or morning),
so if some of you are interested,
please feel free to contact Rev. Jun
Miyasaka. Lets try an extreme self-
denial!
Enjoying the golden sunset after.
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INTRODUCTION TO SHINTO 101;
MANY RITUALS ARE PART OF JAPANESE
CULTURE
Origin of SHINTO 101
The priests at the Hawaii Izumo Taisha agreed that the
best way to teach the basic practices and belief is to set
aside a few minutes at each Monthly Worship Service. We
call the series of presentation SHINTO 101.
There are young and old attending the service. SHINTO
101 is presented after a sermon delivered monthly by
Bishop Daiya Amano.
Shinto practices are also part of Japanese culture. To
fully understand Japanese culture, Shinto practices must
also be studied. All lessons will be taught by Rev. Jun
Miyasaka, Assistant to the Chief Priest. The following is a
sample presentation made in the past.
CLASS #7 Rice Harvest
At our Annual Autumn Thanksgiving Festival (Omatsuri)
in October, we offer harvest rice that has grown at the
Shrine to Kami, or the Gods. Usually in Japan, November
23rd is a national holiday to express appreciation and
gratitude for the harvest crops. Shinto shrines in Japan
observe thanksgiving services and rituals on that day.
Today, we tend to forget the original meaning of
Thanksgiving because most of us are not farmers, but we
should know and be concerned about how hard it is to
get our daily food. Tonight, I will
explain the process of getting
white rice from harvest rice.
Even though we have a nice
harvest, it takes a lot to achieve
the white rice that we eat. First,
rice plants have to be dried.
Traditionally, rice plants are cut
above the roots and bunched
together, then hung over the fence. They are dried for
almost a month in natural sunlight. After the harvest is
dried sufficiently, they are threshed. Can you see the
grains of rice? Each grain is picked, and the husks of the
grains are removed. Today, people use machines for this
process without working too hard, but this used to be very
difficult and troublesome work. Farmers used only simple
wooden or stone implements to pick up and grind grains
in the old days.
After threshing, rice grains are polished. Only after that
we can eat the white rice. Before polishing, rice is called
brown rice because it is covered by brown powder. We
can eat brown rice, but to make white rice, there is one
more step. Polishing is sensitive work. The brown powder
is removed carefully, and then ultimately we get white
rice. This process used to be done by usu and kine, or
mortar and pestle, sometimes using waterwheels as the
power machinery.
Because there is much work involved in preparing
edible rice, even after it is harvested, farmers never eat
new crop rice before the thanksgiving ritual is observed.
First of all, the initial harvest should be offered at the
altar. People believe that this is an expression of respect
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toward Kami or the Gods. This shows that the spirit of
thanksgiving, appreciation and gratitude were seriously
observed in the old days. That is why elder people used
to say to the young people, You shouldnt waste even a
grain of rice when you eat, or If you waste rice, you will
get bachi, or punishment!
Today, we can enjoy good food throughout the year,
not being aware of the harvest season. Let us be grateful
for this important staple food and all other blessings
bestowed upon us.
LETS ATTEND THE TOKA-MATSURI,
MONTHLY WORSHIP SERVICE
Except in October, Izumo Taisha congregational wor-
ship service is held on every 10th of the month, at 7 p.m.,
known as Toka-matsuri in Japanese. This is the regular
monthly worship service to express our gratitude to the
Kami in our prayers, once a month. There are bilingual
sermons. It is good occasion to learn about Shinto tradi-
tions and develop your faith. After the Service, a potluck
dinner is served. Enjoy traditional Shinto ceremony with
onolicious food. Let us attend the Izumo Taisha fellowship
with your family and friends!
27th GOLF TOURNAMENT ENJOYED BY
ALL PLAYERS, VOLUNTEERS
124 golf players enjoyed he tournament on June 16th
at Ewa Beach Golf Club. This years tournament was 27th
golf tournament. We thank the players, sponsors, mer-
chandise and cash donors, other Izumo Taisha members,
volunteers, tournament co-chairman Rodney Haraga, and
all committee chairpersons for making this annual event a
success.
This golf tournament are held for the fellowship, fun
and fund-raising. It was started by the late Albert C. Koba-
yashi, our past president, over twenty years ago.
English Editors: Rev. Jun Miyasaka, Tori Miyagi, Kristy Sumida,
Rodney Haraga
Japanese Editor: Bishop Daiya Amano
Proof Reader: Karen Prestidge
Photographers: Fusako Nakagawa, Kay Takemura, Kristy Sumida
Publisher: Hawaii Hochi, Ltd.
 August 7, 2017 Hiroshima Commemoration and Peace Service
In 1985, the Hiroshima Prefectural
Government presented a replica of
the Hiroshima Peace Bell as a gift to
the people of Hawaii, in recognition
of their long-standing and strong
relationship. These bonds include a
sister city relationship established
in 1959 between Honolulu and
Hiroshima and a sister chamber
relationship between the Honolulu
Japanese Chamber of Commerce
and the Hiroshima Chamber of
Commerce and Industry created
in 1981. The Hiroshima Peace Bell
was dedicated and placed next
to the Izumo Taishakyo Mission
in 1990. Since 1990, a Hiroshima
Commemoration and Peace Service
has been held annually.
From the Hiroshima Bells first
service held at Izumo Taishakyo
Mission shrine to last year (2016)
for 27 commemoration events
Richard Miyao was involved in the
ceremony planning and execution.
Richard Miyao stepped down in early
2017, and two new Chairpersons
were appointed: Ray Tsuchiyama and
By Ray K. Tsuchiyama
Reverend Jun Miyasaka. Continuing
on the Committee are Michael
Broderick, President and CEO of
the YMCA of Honolulu, and Wayne
Miyao, Chairman of the Hiroshima-
Hawaii Sister State Committee and
President of the Honolulu Hiroshima
Prefectural Association (Kenjin Kai).
One day before the ceremony,
a group Hiroshima and Honolulu
high school students on a YMCA-
sponsored Lets Get Together Taishakyo Bishop Amano, Reverend
program visited the Izumo Taishakyo.
They had folded a thousand paper
cranes (origami) for as a donation to
the annual ceremony.
The 28th program was held
Monday, August 7, at 11:00 AM at
the Hiroshima Peace Bell in front of
the Izumo Taishakyo. The Mistress
of Ceremonies was Lisa Ontai, Vice-
President of Marketing and Mission
Advancement at the YMCA of
Honolulu.
The keynote speech was given by
Hiromi Peterson, retired Punahou
4
School Japanese Teacher, 2nd
Generation A-Bomb Survivor, and
28th Kiyoshi Tanimoto Peace Prize
Recipient. Over the years, she
donated proceeds from her Japanese
language textbook sales to support
the Hiroshima peace scholarship
that allows students to travel to
Hiroshima each summer to pursue
peace-related projects and study.
Other speakers included Izumo
Takamasa Yamamura, Head Priest
of the Honolulu Myohoji Buddhist
Temple, Bishop Eric Matsumoto of
the Honpa Hongwanji Temple, Dr.
Gregg Kinkley, Ritual Chair and Lay
Leader of the Honolulu Congregation
of Sov Maarav, Dr. Kahu Kaleo
Patterson of the Waianae-based
Pacific Justice and Reconciliation
Center, and Kai Uyehara, a student
representative. The final Mahalo
remarks came from Co-Chair Ray
Tsuchiyama.