On the 12th day of May, 2001 Rev.Dr.Yukitaka Yamamoto (the 96th High
Priest of Tsubaki O Kami Yashiro, Japan) conducted the 14th
Anniversary Ceremony of the Stockton Tsubaki America Shrine,the 1st
Shinto Shrine to be built in North America.Then on Sunday ,May 13th
2001 (a Taian [lucky day]) the "Senza Sai" or ceremony of
moving the Deities was performed by Rev.Dr.Yamamoto....the Goshintai
(sacred objects) were placed in a Mitamaya (special purified
container) and transported North to Washington State...Rev.Tetsuji
Ochiai, Rev.Hiroyuki Yano and Mr. Shunkichi Inokuma transported the
sacred objects to Tsubaki Kannagara Jinja arriving on May 17th. Then
at Midnight on May 17th the "Chinzasai" (enshrining ceremony) was
done by the light of a single candle...after the Misogi (purification
ritual) done just before midnight in the mountain river flowing
through the shrine grounds, the sacred ceremony was conducted by
Rev.Ochiai (Priest of Tsubaki Daihonguu [Main shrine] and
former Priest of Tsubaki America) assisted by Rev. Barrish (Tsubaki
Kannagara Guji), Rev.Yano (Priest of the Main Shrine now assigned to
Tsubaki America) and Mrs. Donni Barrish who performed the Sacred
Dance. At that time Tsubaki Kannagara Jinja became Tsubaki Grand
Shrine of America. Tsubaki America's new 25 acre home contains the
Shyaden (Shrine building) as well as the Tsubaki America Kaikan
(guest house) and Shinto Library/Cultural Center....please visit in
person and on the internet
.......
Rev. K. Barrish
Senior Shinto Priest of Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America
