Many people visited the Stockton Shrine from Jan.1 to Jan.3. Rev. Tetsuji Ochiai and Rev. Yukihiko Tsumura conducted Saitan-sai, the first ceremony of the year starting at midnight, Dec. 31, pray for world peace, prosperity, good health and good harvest.

Many people visited the shrine those three days. Oshougatsu-sama, the Kami of blessing, comes first three days of the new year. That's why Japanese people take three days holiday at New years. This is one of the most important holidays in Japan.

We conducted a Shinto ceremony in Liver more, California, Jan. 10, for the is purification of an Aiki-Dojo (gymnasium for Aikido). Jim Alvares is the owner and instructor of the Aiki-Dojo. Joining them for the purification rites were 30 students.

The Tamagushi-Hairei participants were Mr. Jim Aivares, other instructor, who prayed for the gymnasium's prosperity and development. After the ceremony, Rev. Tsumura watched their Aikido practice. After practice, they gave a reception.

The Dojo owner attended Tsubaki Grand Shrine to celebrated 2000th anniversary in Japan and Tsubaki America anniversary ceremony.

We went to Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School in Moraga to explain Shinto on March 6. This opportunity was made possible by Rev. Ochiai's friends in 1994.

As social studies, 200 students attended it this time. We started at 1:40 pm, Rev. Ochiai explained about Shinto. After that, we conducted the Shinto ceremony for world peace as a demonstration.

Students asked many questions about Shinto and Shinto ceremony. This was good experience to visit a public school for Tsubaki Shrine and Rev. Tsumura.