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"Water is flexible enough to fit in any vessel...
(yet) still it has the power to go through rock," the Meiji Emperor

With topics ranging from Shinto, Hou-Ou, the Meiji Emperor, Usui Reiki Principles and more... .................................................. Shinto I had the good fortune to live and work in Japan for 3 1/2 years, courtesy of our United States Air Force. For those 3 1/2 years, I found myself to be quite the natural explorer, and when I was off-duty, I was always out somewhere meandering the highways and byways of the land. One of my favorite things to do was to visit various Shinto shrines. I am very fond of the shrines, especially the little ones, that may be found scattered here and there and in various places where one might least expect to find them. Imagine my delight when I found the torii, shown above, locally at Cranbrook House and Gardens, and at the entrance to the Oriental Garden. The garden has a real Japanese flavor to it. Actually, it could more appropriately be entitled "Japanese Garden," since in my opinion, having visited many of them, they appear quite similar. All shrines have a torii, or sacred gate, that leads into the shrine precincts. A shrine often has water for purification of the hands and mouth; unless they are of the small roadside variety which may not. The larger shrines usually have buildings for offerings, oratories, and main halls. Within the main hall resides the god-body, or goshintai, which may be represented by a mirror, or simply by nothing at all. The most important shrine in Japan is at Ise Shima, home of the world famous Ise Shrine, where the most important kami, the sun goddess and ancestor of the imperial family, Amaterasu resides. Shinto, or kami no michi, which means the "way of the kami," or gods, may be traced back to prehistoric times and the indigenous peoples of Japan. The kami may be seen as the powers of nature that may be associated with sacred trees, springs, mountains, boulders, animals, the sun, et cetera. Occasionally, the kami include the ancient ancestors of the Japanese, as well as souls of the deceased. One of my first experiences with Shinto occurred when I was out hiking on one of my early excursions, and I noticed a large rope encircling an ancient tree. This peaked my curiosity, so I asked a local citizen what the rope meant, and was informed the rope designated this trees as old, respected, and sacred. Shinto is an interesting system that does not recognize any single all-powerful diety, nor set of dogmatic beliefs or ethics, but relates to nature, and the divinity maintained within all things. It might be said that in certain perspectives of Shinto, there is a shamanistic aspect in its reverance for nature and connection to humanity. Interestingly, it has a set of traditional rituals and ceremonies conducted by a Shinto priest, as well as festivals designed for specific reasons to help ensure that order is maintained in the cosmos. There are no comprehensive sacred scriptures associated with Shinto, however, there are sections in the Eighth Century, B.C.E., Records of Ancient Matters, Kojiki, and Chronicles of Japan, Nihon Shoki, which have recorded the role of the kami in creating Japan, the Japanese imperial family, and other information relative to Shinto. ................................................................................................... Meiji Tenno, or Meiji Emperor The Meiji Tenno, or Meiji Emperor, lived from November 3, 1852 until July 30, 1912, and ruled Japan from February 3, 1867 until his death. It was during his reign that Japan moved from a feudal system to a modern political power on the world stage. His name, literally means, Emperor of Enlightened Rule. The Meiji Emperor is also credited with writing 125 gyosei, or poems, designed to facilitate and stimulate his people into living a full and harmonious life. It is from these poems, it is said, that Mikao Usui-sensei was inspired to develop his Reiki Principles. Here are a couple of examples of the emperor's poems: No. 10 - The Wave One moment stormy The next it is calm The wave on the ocean Is actually Just like human existance No. 22 - Grass Though the grass Doesn't look too promising You may find medicinal herbs (in its midst) If you look Carefully ..................................................................................................

The Hou-Ou, or Japanese Phoenix The Phoenix seems to be one of those mythological creatures (yet remember, there is a modicrum of truth in all things) that appears in many ancient writings from various civilizations. The concept of the Phoenix rising from the ashes/flames is consistant in these writings, and has intrigued me since childhood. To me the Phoenix is very similar to humankind, who from the moment of birth is destined to die, yet like the Phoenix, arises from death (the ashes/flames) into a new life, or a new state of being. It is a powerful and significant symbol that many in our present time have lost touch with, or are not even familiar. The name of the Japanese Phoenix is Hou-Ou with the Hou being the male bird and Ou being the female. The Hou-Ou greatly resembles the Chinese Phoenix called Feng-Huang in its appearance. The Hou-ou is said to appear only at the birth of a virtuous ruler, or mark the beginning of a new era by descending from the heavens to do good deeds for people. When Hou-Ou is finished with what it has come to Earth to do, it returns to its abode in the heavens to await the dawn of a new era. The Hou-Ou is said, by some sources, to represent the sun, fidelity, obedience, and justice. It seems like we could use some of those attributes these days! .................................................. The Hou-do, or Phoenix Hall The Amitabha Hall, which is the central building of the Byodo-in Temple, was the villa-temple of Fujiwara no Yorimichi. It came to be known as the Hou-do, or Phoenix Hall by travellers and local residents during the early Edo Period (1603-1868). There are said to be several reasons as to how the building was given this nickname: 1. There are a pair of Phoenix on top of the roofline of the Chu-do, or central hall; 2. The Phoenix is a protector of Buddha; and 3. The entire hall looks like a great bird with outstretched wings landing on the water. ....................................................................................................