January 2008

December 31 and January 1 - January 3 - Hatsumode 2008
Omisoka (New Years Eve) and Saitansai (1st Oharae of New Year) Shrine is open from 11:00 PM until 3:30 AM Saitansai is at Midnight. Oharae will take begin every 45 minutes..also everyone can enjoy the outdoor bonfire and outdoor shrine sales area. Gantan (1/1/2007) 1st Oharae at 9:00 AM then beginning every 45 minutes...outdoor Juyosho will be open all day. 1/2 and 1/3 we will be open all day (9:00 AM until 5:00 PM)

January 13 - Kosatsutakeageshiki
Renewal is central to Shinto thinking. Things received from the Shinto Shrine such and Ofuda (Symbols of Okami) and Omamori (amulets imbued with protective power of Okami) are generally renewed after one year. As the Ofuda and Omamori of the previous year have worked hard to bring Okami’s Ki and protection to us and we are very grateful and don’t merely discard them at the end of their working lives…we return them to the Jinja where they can be purified completely and then burned. The ceremony to purify the energy of the previous year feels so renewing and we can enjoy the fresh feeling from new Ofuda, Gofu and Omamori.

Registration at 10:30am. Ceremony begins at 11:00am

February 2008

February 3- Setsubun Taisai
Registration at 10:30AM. Ceremony begins at 11:00 AM Setsubun-sai, commonly known as"O-mame-maki"( the bean throwing festival) is a very popular New Years ritual related to the old calendar. The literal meaning of Setsubun is "season division",coming at the end of "Kan"(coldest season)....Kan lasts 30 days and includes Daikan (major cold) and Shokan (minor cold) . With the season finale comes Setsubun and the feeling of the beginning of Spring and the agricultural year. The ceremony begins at Tsubaki America Shrine with a ritual purification,offerings and prayers of gratitude to Okami led by the Shinto Priest. Then participants move outside the shrine and the Tsubaki Kannagara Guuji shoots 3 hama-ya (misfortune dispelling arrows) to purify the past/present/future. Then adults and children attending throw the "Daizu" (soybeans) while shouting "Fuku wa uchi,Oni wa soto" (Good luck in...bad luck out).After the celebrants scatter the soybeans they follow an age-old tradition and eat toasted soybeans....each one eating as many beans as his or her own age plus one more....the extra bean stands for the new year beginning. Special note of this years ceremony is that we are anticipating the arrival of 3 Oni to Shrine Grounds....children and adults can chase away these Oni by Mamemaki...

February 24 - Yakuyoke Taisai
Registration at 10:30AM. Ceremony begins at 11:00 AM MISFORTUNE PURIFICATION...a ceremony to purify or dispel misfortune...according to the "Kigaku" (or Shinto divination method) the ages of 25 and 42 for men and 19 and 33 for women are considered "Yakudoshi"or dangerous year...the years 42 for men and 33 for women are considered "Taiyaku"or grand climactic years with the preceding year "Maeyaku" and the following year :Atoyaku"requiring a special ceremony also.THESE AGES ARE ACCORDING TO KAZOEDOSHI.....(counting system where one is 1 year old at birth)

Critical Ages in 2008:

Men ages 16, 24, 40 (maeyaku), 41 (honyaku), 42 (atoyaku).
Born in years 1992, 1984, 1968, 1967 and 1966.

Women ages 12, 18, 31 (maeyaku), 32 (honyaku), 33(atoyaku).
Born in years 1996, 1990, 1977, 1976 and 1975.

March 2008

March 2 - Annual Oharae of Seattle Japanese Garden

March 22 and 23 -  Shinto Spring Seminar
Chance to experience the rythyms of the Shrine Life in harmony with seasonal change.. experience personally and learn about life enhancing Jinja Shinto practices to enliven and enrich everyday
preliminary schedule:

Saturday 3/22
3:00 PM --- Uketsuke (reception at shrine)
4:00 Oharae
4:30 to 6:30 Kigo (lecture)
6:30 Potluck dinner at Kaikan
informal conversation and study after dinner
(people can make arrangements for lodging at Kaikan)

Sunday 3/23
9:00 AM Misogi Shuho (water purification in Pilchuck river)
9:30 to 10:00 Ocha (tea) in reception room
10:00 Chouhai (morning prayer)
10:30 Chinkon Gyoho (meditation practice)
11:30 to 1:00 Kigo
1:00 Lunch at Kaikan (Mrs. Barrish will prepare)
2:00 Sayonara (bye bye) at shrine

March 29 - Portland Area Oharae
The annual Oharae of Sake 1 in Forrest Grove Oregon as well as Oharae for homes and businesses of Portland area members and friends..please contact the shrine to get on the schedule.

April 2008

April 6 - Shyunki Taisai
Great Spring Ceremony This is the most formal Ceremony, and one of the two times each year that the doors of the inner shrine (goshinden no tobira) are opened.....then after the most formal kensen (food offerings) the shinto priest prays for everyone's health, happiness, safety and mutual prosperity (kyoson kyoei)....this year Oregon Taiko Artist, Ms. Kazuyo Ito will make the musical offering to Okamisama when the shrine doors are open. Then following the ceremony everyone can make and enjoy delicious Tezukuri Omochi (hand made rice cakes). Omochitsuki will be conducted by shrine friend and Omochi expert Mr. Shoichi Sugiyama. Registration is at 10:30 AM, Ceremony at 11:00 and Omochitsuki immediately following Ceremony.

April 25, 26 and 27 - Aiki Taisai
Annual Aikido Gasshuku featuring the Ireisai (Memorial for Mitama of Aiki Founder), Aikido Training, Misogi Shuho and Shinto Meditation

Friday April 25:

Registration and open Mat: 5:00 to 6:00 PM
Aiki Keiko and Yuuhai: 6:00 to 8:30

Group dinner in Granite Falls

Saturday April 26:

Misogi Shuho: 8:00 am
Chouhai (morning ceremony): 9:00
Chinkonsai (Shinto active meditation): 9:30
Aiki Keiko: 10:00 to 1:00
IREISAI (Memorial for Mitama of O’Sensei AIKO-NO-MIKOTO): 1:15
Naorae (potluck party) at Tsubaki House: 6:00 to 10:00

Sunday April 27

Misogi Shuho: 8:00 am
Chouhai: 9:00
Chinkonsai: 9:30
Aiki Keiko: 10:00 to 12:30
Hirugohan (Japanese lunch [Mrs. Chika Barrish will prepare) at Kaikan: 12:30 to 1:30
Sayonara--closing at Jinja: 1:40

May 2008

May 4 - Kodomo-no-O-Hi Taisai/Prayer for Children's safe growth & protection

On Sunday May 4th Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America will conduct the Kodomo-no-Hi Taisai. Registration is from 10:30 AM and ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM. Everyone can enjoy to see the Koinobori (Carp streamers) and Children will receive the special Omamori (amulet) and Origami Kabuto (folded paper samurai helmet). Please register in advance if you can attend. (360) 691-6389 kannushi@tsubakishrine.org

June 2008

July 2008

July 19 - Shambhala Shrine Renewal
The Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lake is home to the Daitozan Jinja (the Kami Shrine). Rev. Barrish has been Priest of the Daitozan Jinja for 8 years and conducted the Great Yearly Ceremony. This year will be the 16th annual ceremony of renewal.

For more details please contact Shambhala Mountain Center.

July 26-27 - Summer Shinto Seminar at Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America
Chance to experience the rythyms of the Shrine Life in harmony with seasonal change.. experience personally and learn about life enhancing Jinja Shinto practices to enliven and enrich everyday.

Saturday 7/26
3:00 PM --- Uketsuke (reception at shrine)
4:00 Oharae
4:30 to 6:30 Kigo (lecture)
6:30 Potluck dinner at Kaikan
informal conversation and study after dinner
(people can make arrangements for lodging at Kaikan)

Sunday 7/27
8:30 AM Misogi Shuho (water purification in Pilchuck river)
9:00 to 9:30 Ocha (tea) in reception room
9:30 Chouhai (morning prayer)
10:00 Chinkon Gyoho (meditation practice)
11:00 to 12:30 Kigo
12:30 Lunch at Kaikan (Mrs. Barrish will prepare)
1:30 Sayonara (bye bye) at shrine

September 2008

September 6 and 7 - ENMA Aki Matsuri and Mikoshi Festival in Bellevue East Side Nihon Matsuri at BCC www.ENMA.org
Tsubaki America Mikoshi Ceremony and Procession will be from noon on Sat...please participate in the only Mikoshi Matsuri in North America...also we will have the booth for both days, please come by to say hello and receive information of Jinja Shinto and Japanese Culture from Jinja Honcho.

October 2008

October 5 - Shyuuki Taisai
Great Fall Ceremony. Reception is from 10:30 AM, Ceremony at 11:00 AM. One of the 2 times each year that the doors of the Honden (inner shrine) are opened and special food including new rice is offered to Okami. Also Silk Strings Koto Ensemble will offer the concert to Okami that we can all enjoy as well.

October 25-26 - Shinto Fall Seminar
Chance to experience the rythyms of the Shrine Life in harmony with seasonal change.. experience personally and learn about life enhancing Jinja Shinto practices to enliven and enrich everyday.

November 2008

Early November - Tsubaki America Members & Friends Japan Trip
Tentaive schedule is to visit Kyoto, Ise Jingu and Tsubaki Grand Shrine and to participate in the Oku-no-Miya (climb of sacred mountain Nyudogadake).

November 16 - Schichi-Go-San Taisai
Registration from 10:30am, Ceremony at 11:00am
Blessing will be made for children, boys ages 3 and 5, girls ages 3 and 7......this very important life-cycle event is one of the most popular in Japan...when parents take their children who are dressed in their best clothes (hare-gi) to the local shrine to offer gratitude and pray for contiued safe growth and development. Children attending this event receive the special 7-5-3 OMAMORI-SAN and the CHITOSE AME/ long-life candy in a colorful bag with many special images on it...this makes the very happy childhood memory. Those wishing to receive this special prayer who cannot attend the Taisai can make the appointment during the month of November after the 14th..(Tsubaki Priest will be in Japan with Shrine Members group from 11/6 to 11/13)

December 2008

December 13 - Replacing All Shimenawa and Shide

December 14 - Oharahishiki and Omochitsuki
Registration at 10:30am, Ceremony at 11:00am
This "Great Day of Purifying the Root of Misfortune" is one of the two occasions/year that the Nakatomi-no-O-Harahi is read facing sanpaishya rather the Shinzen...sanpaishya also receive the Harai of "Kiri-Nusa".....on this occasion sanpaishya receive the "Jibarai-no-Gohei" which is capable of absorbing the tookodori (stale/obscuring energy/ki) which is then purified and the Jibarai Gohei is burned by the Shinto Priests .....please attend with your family and friends to prepare for the New Year......for people unable to attend who would like to participate please contact the shrine in order to receive the Gohei (after use it is sent back to the shrine for the Koshinsatatsutakeageshiki {purification/burning ritual}).
JIBARAI-NO-GOHEI: directions for use are:
please purify the impurities (tsumi/kegare) of the Year with this Gohei (1 per family)
each Family member hold the wooden stick of the Gohei and swing left/right/left around the shoulders (one by one)
if you do not attend O-HARAHI-SHIKI please bring the Gohei back to the shrine during your Hatsumode...it will then be purified and burned in Mid January during KOSHINSATSUTAKEAGESHIKI.

This year we will make the Kagami Mochi to offer at Oshyougatsu by hand with Kine/Usu..(we should have plenty to enjoy and take home also). Shrine friend and Mochi expert Mr. Shoichi Sugiyama of Sunset Ranch Woodworking (hinoki buro maker) will lead the Mochi-tsuki....we will make Omochi following Oharahishiki, from 11:40 till 2:00..(please particpate in this traditional activity , or just enjoy and eat delicious Tezukuri Mochi.

December 31 and January 1 - Hatsumode 2009
Omisoka (New Years Eve) and Saitansai (1st Oharae of New Year) Shrine is open from 11:00 PM until 3:30 AM Saitansai is at Midnight. Oharae will take begin every 45 minutes..also everyone can enjoy the outdoor bonfire and outdoor shrine sales area. Gantan (1/1/2008) 1st Oharae at 9:00 AM then beginning every 45 minutes...outdoor Juyosho will be open all day. 1/2 and 1/3 we will be open all day (9:00 AM until 5:00 PM)