Rev. Ochiai and Rev. Tsumura conducted a Shinto ceremony in Walnut Creek, California, April 11, for the purification of an Aikido-dojo (gymnasium for Aikido). Mr. George Leonard and Mrs. Wendy are the owners and instructors of the dojo. Joining them for the purification rites were 30 students plus Mr. Jim Alvarez (chief instructor, Aikido of Livermore Valley.

The ceremony started at 11 a.m. After Rev. Ochiai recited an prayer "Norito", the Tamalpais Aikido-dojo was purified by Rev. Ochiai to use sake (rice wine), salt, harae-gusi. The Tamagusi-Hairei participants were Mr. George Leonard, Mrs. Wendy ,who prayed for the gymnasium's prosperity and development. After the ceremony, Rev. Ochiai explained about Shinto. Then, everyone started practice, we returned to shrine.