The Yasaka Ryujinkai is a group of supporters of the Gion faith, organized by people active in the entertainment industry, who believe that music, entertainment, and the arts are prayers to the gods. On this day, the first social gathering of related parties was held since the group was established.

The Ryujinkai Chairman explained the invisible forces and circumstances that led to the establishment of the ryujinkai, and stated that he hopes to draw out the power of the dragon god through performing arts and supporting Chief Priest Nomura.

Chief priest Nomura reiterated that the original Yasaka Shrine had long been worshipped as a temple called “Kanshin-in,” where dragon gods and Buddhas, who had been sealed away by the Shinto-Buddhist separation policy of the Meiji era, were syncretized to quell epidemics and natural disasters.

The recent pandemic forced lock-downs, which caused the cancellation of festivals, including the Gion festival. In the absence of worship, the world has been experiencing natural disasters and international conflict, which is spreading fear and uncertainty across the globe

This year’s Gion festival involved a joint prayer service between Enryaku-ji temple and Yasaka shrine for the first time in four hundred years.

He said that its now time to unseal the dragon hole and awaken the Dragon God, so that with the Buddha they can together gather the power of a being that transcends all human power.

It is being said that Shiozawa was touched by two dragons that he inadvertently drew into the piece that he donated to Mahabodhi Temple, “Buddha’s Universe Pilgrimage”. He later discovered that the Japanese are the ancestors of an ancient dragon race, and that it was likely that these two dragons were responsible for guiding Buddha along the way.

Recent scientific research has revealed that the Japanese have inherited some unique DNA not found in other Asians. He appealed to everyone in the audience that this signifies a calling, and a special role in the world given to all Japanese, myself included.

At the end of the meal and social interaction, everyone sang and danced to the chant

“I-ya- saka!” ( a song chanted on prayer for prosperity) and the meeting ended.

The social gathering continued with second and third parties.