Koichi Barrish visited Tsubaki America with 10 students Feb. 4. He is the chief instructor of Kannagara Dojo in Everett, WA. He visited Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Japan many times. He came to the Bay Area to teach Aikido. He and his class attended Seishiki sanpai (formal worship service) at Tsubaki America. They offered Tamagushi to the Kami and made wishes. After the ceremony they entered Tsubaki House and talked with me. I asked them why they chose Aikido when there are many martial arts in the USA. They answered that they wanted to understand the spirit of Aikido and unite with the great nature through Aikido.

I conducted a ceremony, April 29 enshrining the spirits of Amaterasu Ohmikami and Sarutahiko Ohkami and Amenouzumenomikoto at a Santa Rosa Aikido dojo. Thirty people attended the ceremony. I was asked to do the ceremony by Lynn J. Johnston and Anthony J. Bell, dojo instructors. I met them at San Rafael dojo of Hans Goto. They also visited Tsubaki America. They would like to understand Shinto deeply.

Johnston, Bell, Goto and others offered tamagushi to Kami. After the ceremony, they practiced Aikido for a while, and we enjoyed a reception.

I was impressed by their serious approach to both Shinto and Aikido.

I conducted the purification ceremony January 15 at an Aikido dojo (Martial arts gymnasium) in San Rafael. Sixty people attended the ritual. Sensei Hans Goto is chief instructor of this dojo. He and other instructors from the San Francisco Bay Area offered evergreen branches (Tamagushi) to the Kami.

After the ceremony, each sensei gave a five minute demonstration of Aikido, showing special techniques. After the practice, sensei Goto hosted a reception. Guests enjoyed the food and drink. I en joyed talking with the instructors because they are interested in Shinto.