On February 26th, a departure prayer ceremony was held at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto to ensure the safe delivery of three works to be dedicated to the Kumano Sanzan. First, we ascended to the main hall for formal worship. A prayer was recited, weaving in the purpose of the prayer: to ensure the safe delivery of the paintings dedicated to the Kumano Sanzan.

The shrine maiden’s dance, accompanied by the ringing of bells, soothes the divine heart. Following this, seven people performed the ritual offering of sacred branches. Through all these ceremonies, prayers were offered for the safety of artist Fumio Shiozawa’s endeavors, and the air grew purified. Japanese Shinto rituals are truly beautiful.

Upon returning to the Tokiwa Shinden, the works to be dedicated to the Kumano Sanzan were displayed, and there too, the actual dedication paintings received purification rites from the Shinto priests.

There, too, a large crowd of worshippers gathered, and Mr. Miyashita, the conch shell player, blew the conch for us. The sound of the conch, which also serves as a signal when setting up a barrier to keep evil spirits out, drives away demons.

After that, Shiozawa explained the dedication painting, incorporating what the Kumano Sanzan is like, what he felt there, and the Kumano described in Taro Okamoto’s Mysterious Japan.

We are now entering an era of syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism. The refined sensibilities of the Japanese people are invaluable. He went on to say that he wished to pass on this spirituality—which brings peace to the world with pride—to the next generation.