Rev. Yukitaka Yamamoto

The mind of Shinto is purity, righteousness and straightforwardness, from which humbleness and sincerity are derived. The humbleness Ieads us to respecting, cooperating and helping each other and thus invites happiness. This happiness is not limited to yourself but becomes the base of creating a cheerful and happy family. This relates us to the building of ethics that makes our Earth more comfortable and clean to live in, like our own homes.

Fifty-three years since W.W.II, it is dreadful to see that people have lost their ethical and moral foundations. People seem not to care for other persons anymore and people appear to be under an illusion believing that money and materialism can make everything possible.

Coming this far, I am very much concerned with the situation in which parents brothers and friends may soon be killing each others.

What are the reasons? It becomes clear to us that our governments emphasis only on economic growth is the major defect.

Especially, I believe that educational policies are a big mistake and they have kept creating the worst results. The so-called "self torturing education" meaning that it makes a mockery of Japanese themselves, have been kept in a strong position in textbooks and true education for Japanese has not been found.

I believe that by this self-torturing education, educators have driven people into the condition that people are indifferent to identity and pride of being Japanese and as a result of it, society has been confused and people are amazed by so many scandals and corruptions rather suddenly revealed in government, major corporations, banks and securities.

The government should honestly make apologies to the Japanese people for their policies emphasizing economic promotion.

In the Sankei Shinbun Newspaper on January 11th, the article about resignation of Mr. Teruyoshi Sakai, chairman of an education committee, Tachikawa, Tokyo, drew my attention. According to the article, Mr. Sakai was pursued and forced to resign by the city council because he quoted and praised the"Kyoikuchokugo" or the "Meiji Emperor's Message on Education" to tell how important it is to respect parents, at the ceremony of Junior High School.

The kyoikuchokugo was created by the Meiji Emperor in October, 1890 to clarify the bases of national morals and the basic principle of national education. This has continued to be the standard of Japanese education till February, 1947, when it was abolished together with Shusin or Morals, Kokushi or National History and geography and replaced by Kyoikukihonho or the Basic Law of Education.

In the kyoikuchokugo, the twelve items of virtue handed down from distant ancestors were spelled out. It shows us how Japanese people act and practice for future. I even think that this could be applicable for and shared with people outside of Japan. Therefore the Kyoikuchokugo could be considered both as the book of ethics for human beings and the book of the Kami.

On the first three days of January, 1998, Meiji Shrine enshrined Emperor Meiji and received about 3.5 million visitors. I believe this is nothing but the virtue of the Meiji Emperor.

Other illustrations regarding this are the result of the recent research on Japanese High School students conducted by Japan Youth Research. According to it, 79% of Japanese High School students are rebellious to teachers comparing to 5.8% in US. 84% in Japan are rebellious to parents comparing to 16.1 % in US. 80% in Japan do not trust their parents. What kind of impression do you get from observing these numbers?

Once again, I believe that the lack of respects and appreciation might be created from darkness in family, where good communication among family members cannot be found.

According to our calendar, the new year starts from the first day of spring, February 4th and it is thus the day that a cycle of new year begins.

This year is the year of Tsuchinoe or the fifth order of the sexagenary cycle, which means the year to cut or trim the overgrown branches and leaves to make it visible. This strongly implies that Japan should execute the great reform in politics and finance. If they cannot, the present cabinet should resign and be replaced. I believe there are many other competent persons who can handle it.

As is well known, this year is the year of tiger. The real meaning of the calligraphy of the tiger. The real meaning of the calligraphy of tiger is to help each other, cooperate each other and to unite with each other. I see this year, therefore, as the year to act on cooperation and unity for purifying the pollution of the Earth and building the ethics that make our Earth more comfortable and clean to live in friendly ways.

According to the Shinto kigaku or the Shinto Study of "Ki", this year is the year of Two Black Earths. It tells us to live everyday in harmony. Harmony is to bring forth creation and leads us to become appreciative of the Great Nature by which we are lived.

This year is the tenth anniversary of the late Venerable Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Matsushita Electric Industry and Panasonic, whom Japan called the kami of management. It was my greatest pleasure to get acquainted with him for more than 20 years and for 10 years in it. I visited him a few times a year to discuss life and management with Venerable Konosuke Matsushita.

There were so many subjects we discussed. I clearly remember what he explained as three key factors to be successful, since they are closely associated with Shinto.

1. Be sociable and jolly. It may not be relevant to success but it is interesting enough that the most successful and richest person in Japan like venerable Matsushita said without charm there is no success.

2. Associate with people who have virtue. A person with virtue is one who can sincerely appreciate both for the fact that he or she has lived and be able to work for the day and for ancestors.

3. Keep things neat and clean. It was interesting to know that venerable Matsushita emphasized cleanness to become successful. Now, I totally agree with him because I have learnt that, whenever I visit homes, factories and offices, I often find clean factories and homes are capable of managing things well and positively.

There are many festivals and ceremonies are scheduled in this year at Tsubaki America as well as Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Suzuka. Please come and visit us to experience the mind of Shinto.