Rev. Dr. Yukitaka Yamamoto and Rev. Lawrence Koichi Barrish (front row, center) at Tsubaki O Kami Yashiro
on the occasion of the enshrinement of Aiki Kaiso Ueshiba Morihei no Mikoto and
Nidai Doshyu Kisshomaru Ueshiba no Mikoto at Gyomando Taisai, March 19, 2000.
The following was written by
Honorable High Priest, Rev. Dr. Yukitaka Yamamoto
in August of 1997 about Shinto & Aikido
Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami, the main deity of Tsubaki Kannagara Jinja and Tsubaki OhKami Yashiro is the Kami (divine being) of guidance. The head shrine of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami, located at the foot of the Mt. Takayama in the Suzuka Mountain Ridge, has been worshipped from ancient time. In 3 B.C., 2000 years ago, in the 27th year of the 11th Emperor Suinin, Tsubaki Grand Shrine was formally established. Therefore Tsubaki O Kami Yashiro is one of the oldest shrines existing in Japan.
When the founder of Aikido, Venerable Morihei Ueshiba, visited Tsubaki O Kami Yashiro - head shrine of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami - and made special prayer, the secret of waza was brought forth through the divine revelation. Since then day and night he practiced Misogi Shu Ho to reach the state of unity between the Kami (divine beings) and human beings.
Venerable Morihei Ueshiba cultivated spirituality so profoundly that he created Takemusu Aiki, and he taught the great power and wisdom of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami to students of Aiki. Later he was able to show Jintsuriki, special divine power. Jintsuriki means that Shinriki - or the ki of the Great nature - is transformed to Jinriki or, actual power or waza, which will be delivered by man after being absorbed and accumulated by man's spirit, mind and body.
In 1992 Koichi Barrish, an instructor of Aiki-do founded Tsubaki Kannagara Jinja to enshrine the spirit of Sarutahiko-no-O-Kami and the spirit of Morihei Ueshiba No Mikoto (the Kami). Indeed, Koichi Barrish Sensei is no doubt a rare person who has been really trying to overcome the difficulties of understanding the true meaning of Shinto, to continue day and night Gyo (ascetic practice) and Misogi, and who has finally become a Shinto priest - as an American he is the first in Shinto history.
Please follow Barrish Sensei and you all can be able to become persons of self-perfection, making your family happier and serving for the benefit of other people and society and for world peace.
In Shinto we can have new days that are fulfilling (kokonotari). If you live this way you can fill up energy in each corner of your being.
