here - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Tsurugaoka Intellectual Salon
～Shinto and Japanese Garden~
Sat. March 21, 2015
Tsurugaoka Intellectual Salon offers an opportunity to deepen
your understanding of Japanese traditional culture.
This time, the salon features Shinto and Japanese garden.
Program
14:00
Attend a Ceremony at the Main Shrine
14:30
Lecture by Chief Priest
15:00
Lecture by Jihe Ogawa
15:30
Tour in Garden of Guest House and Peony Garden
16:00
Tea Reception at Guest House
17:00
Close
Biography
Shigeho Yoshida【Chief Priest】
Born in 1942. Graduated from Kokugakuin University with a major in Shinto
study in 1966. He has been working as Chief Priest of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
since 1997. He also holds various positions such as a managing director of Jinja
Honcho (the Association of Shinto Shrines), Chairperson of Kokugakuin
University Alumni Association, and an advisor of Kanagawa prefectural branch
of Japanese Association of Religious Organizations.
Since he was appointed Chief Priest, Mr. Yoshida has been actively promoting
international cultural exchanges. Among them are overseas performances of
mikagura (Japanese traditional court music and dance) and yabusame
(horseback archery), a joint performance with traditional hula in Hawaii, and
inviting ambassadors and diplomats of foreign embassies to Tsurugaoka
Hachimangu and its rituals.
In 2013, he served at the 62nd Shikinen Sengu Ceremony of Ise Jingu. His works, including a joint
memorial service for victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake with Todai-ji temple, transcend borders
of religions and play an important role in strengthening relationships between religions.
<Recent International Activities>
2000
2001
2006
2009
2013
2014
Mikagura as a representative of Japan at Strasbourg in France.
Yabusame ritual at London in the UK; escorted the Japanese Crown Prince and the Prince of
Wales; lecture at City University London.
Visited the Vatican as a member of Kanagawa prefectural branch of Japanese Association of
Religious Organizations and made a courtesy call on the Pope.
Mikagura to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Monk Chogen’s death at Todai-ji temple in
Nara.
Lecture at University of Maryland and George Washington University in the US
Mikagura and a lecture at Beijing Foreign Studies University in China
Mikagura and a lecture for diplomats of foreign embassies at Tokyo National Museum.
Mikagura and a lecture at Hilo in Hawaii, the US, with a traditional hula company, Halau o
Kekuhi.
Lecture for a special exhibition “Spirit of Samurai 2014” at Finland National Museum;
Yabusame ritual at Helsinki in Finland.
Mikagura and a lecture, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Portland Japanese Garden, at
Portland in the US.
Jihe Ogawa【Gardener of Japanese Traditional Garden】
Born in 1942. After graduating from Kyoto City University of Arts in 1966, Mr.
Ogawa inherited Jihee the 11th and became the 11th head of the family’s
gardening company “Ueji” in 1970. In 2006, he succeeded to the name of Jihe
Ogawa. Currently, he is also a visiting professor at St. Agnes’ University (since
2006), and a special professor at Kyoto Forestry University (since 2012).
Jihe Ogawa has put an importance on giving priority to clients’ requests, and
the family of Ogawa has passed on not only its name but also its spirit and skills
for 250 years. Jihe the 7th, the most known of all, created gardens of Heian Jingu
shrine and Maruyama Park which are designated as National Sites of Scenic
Beauty. Currently, the 11th generation is leading the family’s gardening company
“Ueji” with his son. The current Jihe conducts promotion activities such as
lectures, and appearing on TV and radio.
<Works and Record of Awards>
2003
2005
2009
2011
2013
2014
Flowing-water Pond in Rakusui-teien in Kyoto
Japanese Cypress Garden in Sen-oku Hakuko Kan in Kyoto
Gardens of St. Agnes’ University Arisu-kan (the old Arisugawa-no-miya residence) in Kyoto
Won “Miyako-no-bunka Award, Governor Award”
Won “Asia Townscape Design Society Award, Special Award”
Kuro-syoin-mae Garden in Syozo-in temple in Kyoto
Historical Background of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Hachiman kami is the generic term for the kami enshrined, and refers to
“Emperor Ojin”, ”Hime-gami”, “Empress Jingu” (kami is the Japanese word
for Shinto deities)
Minamoto Yoriyoshi (988-1075), in 1063, built a small shrine for the
Hachiman kami near the coast by way of thanks for success in suppressing
the rebellion.
In 1180, Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199), Yoriyoshi’s descendant, came
to Kamakura and moved the shrine to the present site. The reason he
chose Kamakura as his base was because it was here that his great
ancestor had successfully put down the 1063 rebellion. Yoritomo
developed Kamakura city as a capital, and set Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in
the centre of the city. Since then, rituals such as Yabusame have been
dedicated unchangingly.
Peony Garden of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Peony Garden, which is a circuit style Japanese garden,
opened in 1980 in commemoration of the 800th anniversary
of the founding of the shrine.
Since ancient times, peony has been regarded as a flower of
wealth and noble. The garden is filled with gorgeous peonies
in various colors. There also spreads the amazing scenery
where ornamental rocks, bamboo fence and hair moss
harmonize beautifully around the Genji-ike pond.
You can enjoy a pleasant walk in the garden, which leads to
the Guest House in Shoin-zukuri, traditional style of Japanese
house.
MAP
Guest house
TSURUGAOKA HACHIMANGU
2-1-31 Yuki-no-shita, Kamakura, Kanagawa. JAPAN
Tel: +81-467-22-0315 Fax: +81-467-22-4667
Email: international-affairs@hachimangu.or.jp
HP: www.tsurugaoka-hachimangu.or.jp