Friday, October 12, 2012

Honolulu Shinto

A L O H A !

 Sakura by Traditonal Japanese on Grooveshark
 " Located in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii,
 the Izumo Taishakyo Mission 
 is one of the few Shinto shrines in 
the United States. 
The wooden A-frame structure was inspired 
by Shimane Prefecture's classical
 Japanese shrine  Taisha Machi
It was designed by architect Hego Fuchino 
and built by master carpenter Ichisaburo Takata.

 Seized by the city at the outset of World War II,
 the shrine did not reopen until 1968. "
   [ Wikipedia ]


Established in 1906, 
 this Sectarian Shinto Shrine
 venerates its primary Kami (Diety)
 as Okuninushi-no-Mikoto.

Bishop Daiya Amano, Chief Minister
Rev. Jun Miyasaka
We have a monthly service on the 10th of every month 
except October at 7:00 P.M. 
In October, we have an annual Autumn (Thanksgiving) 
Omatsuri Festival.
Volunteers are welcome and appreciated.
Facebook Page  [ Link ] updated periodically 
by The Young Shinto Group of Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii













Shinto
 is an ancient Japanese religion
 that developed around 500 BCE 
 evolving out of indigenous
 nature worship,
 fertility practices,
 divination,
 local folklore
 notable heroes, and
 shamanism.

Shinto 
venerates natural places like 
mountains, springs,
 and groves.
  












The Kami are the Shinto deities.
They are not the omnipotent gods
 of monotheistic religions.  
Guardian Kami over-see
 particular areas and clans.
Historic figures,
including all but the most
 recent emperors,
are considered Kami, 
as are Abstract creative forces.
 Kami sustain 
and protect the Japanese people
to this day.











Mikoshi, 
or portable Shinto shrine
surmounted by
a phoenix.  

Usually rectangle in shape,
 they often resemble 
miniature buildings,
 as above
 














 "A single sincere prayer
 moves Heaven. 
You will surely realize 
the divine presence
 through sincere prayer. "

Shinto Saying












Each human life,
 human nature itself,
is sacred to Shinto










Animals are viewed
  as creatures
and messengers
 of the Kami. 
A pair of statues 
"Koma-inu" 
(guard dogs) 
face each other
 within the temple grounds.









"Even in one single leaf 
on a tree, 
or in one blade of grass, 
the awesome Deity 
presents itself.

Shinto Saying


















Origami, "Paper of the spirits' 
are often seen around Shinto shrines.
Note the white knots
 hanging between the ropes.

 Out of respect for the tree spirit
 that gave its life 
to make the paper, 
origami paper
 is never cut.


I have recieved Shinto blessing
in which the priest waves a pole
from which Origami paper
hangs
  over one's head!









" Respect your ancestors.

Do not forget
 the profound goodness
 of the kami, 
through which calamity 
and misfortunes are averted
 and sickness is 
healed. "

Shinto Teachings














" Even the wishes 
of an ant reach to heaven. "


Shinto Saying



















Many Shinto followers
 are involved in the "offer a meal movement," 
 in which each individual bypasses a breakfast 
(or another meal) once per month 
and donates the money saved 
to international relief.


YOU can see another 
Honolulu Shinto Shrine 

 [ Here ]



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'Take Peace & Laughs - Leave Your Comment'

Thanks for visiting!
                          Warmly,
cloudia





24 comments:

UIFPW08 said...

Beautiful shots..
Aloha
Morris

Magia da Inês said...

♪彡♪♫°¸.•♫°`

Muito bonito mesmo!!!! Espetacular!
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil

♪♫♫°✿°`╮

Daryl said...

lovely ... aloha!!!!

Charles Gramlich said...

Neat pics. Don't see many such shrines around here.

Giga said...

Każda religia, która pomaga ludziom żyć, jest wspaniała. Zdjęcia pokazane są bardzo ładne. Pozdrawiam.
Any religion that helps people live, is great. Photos shown are very nice. Yours.

TexWisGirl said...

it sounds like a wonderful religion, well-grounded and connected to nature and all things.

Kay said...

This is such a fun and informative post, Cloudia. I don't know a whole lot about the Shinto religion even though we visit many Shinto temples when we are in Japan. These photos are gorgeous!

FilipBlog said...

Great temple and shrine.

Greetings,
Filip

Teresa said...

Great post, Cloudia. I learned a lot. Love the quote about the ant.

Myrna R. said...

Thank you Cloudia for this culture lesson. I especially like the Shinto sayings, so full of wisdom.

(Thanks so much for the article. I should have known you'd be willing to help. I have tickets for Maui (about 6 days), then the Big Island (about 3 days). Think our paths could cross?)

21 Wits said...

How amazing Cloudia, thanks for opening the door with such depth into Shinto! Your photos are stunning too! Peace-Karen

The Weaver of Grass said...

Beautiful photographs and words as usual Cloudia

Full-On-Forward said...

SHRINE on You Crazy Diamond......
GREAT PICS!


J

Anonymous said...

Thank you for these images and the journey very much ! The 'ant saying' - wonderful.
Please have you all a good weekend.

Small Kucing said...

Good morning!

what a lovely set of photos.

Cloudia said...

I love YOUr sweet comments- thanks!

magiceye said...

Interesting post with beautiful images!

Namaste /\ from Mumbai
Aloha!

rupam sarma said...

Greetings from Assam, India,
Beautiful photos, Thank you.
~Have a nice weekend to you & all of you~

Reader Wil said...

Very interesting, Cloudia. Thanks for your comment. Yes it was very good to hear your voice. A voice is an essential part of a person. I feel that we are friends even if we are miles apart. I have met several bloggers now and each time I had the feeling I had known them for a long time.
Warm greetings from a chilly Netherlands, for winter is on its way.

Elephant's Child said...

It is hard to argue with a religion which venerates natural places like
mountains, springs,and groves.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful.

Betty Manousos said...

lovely photos and thoughts as usual, sweet friend!

alohaaaa!!!

Rudolph Aspirant said...

I loved the optimistic colors of the photographs ! Plus, of course the sayings. And I had a very pleasant and light feeling seeing this whole article that probably came from the combination of joyous playfulness from the photos and the wisdom from the shinto sayings, just as if I was there and seeing the origami swaying in the breeze ! Thank you, Comfort Spiral !

Feisty Crone said...

I love these photos; thanks for sharing them!