Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000

Memories of a pilgrimage to the roots of Aikido [Double click photo to enlarge]


Tanabe, Japan: O-Sensei's Home [Double click photo to enlarge]
Morihei Ueshiba was born Dec. 14, 1883.This is O-Sensei's family home in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture.	O-Sensei's family grave site and his head stone. O-Sensei died on April 26, 1969 at the age of 86.	The Tanabe Park statue of O-Sensei. A large beautiful water fountain stands before the statue.
The Tanabe Park statue of O-Sensei.	The Tanabe Park statue of O-Sensei. Behind the statue, within a few yards, rests the Pacific Ocean. It is a lovely and tranquil scene.	The Tanabe Park statue of O-Sensei.

Kumano Hongu Shrine, Hongu, Japan [Double click photo to enlarge]
The 2500 yr. old Kumano Hongu Shrine hangs in the mountain mist. Early in the morning this mist surrounds the taisha buildings.	Kumano Hongu Taisha torii. A torii is the boundary marker between the sacred space inhabited by kami and the common world.	The many-staired climb O-Sensei ran over 150 times to the shrine.
The temizuya fountain for hand and mouth purification that must be done before entering the shrine.	The official entrance to the Kumano Shrine. Enshrined here are Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and here son, Susano-o, the kami of the wind. Amaterasu is the head of all heavenly kami (Amaterasu Kami).	Kumano Hongu Taisha hoden where O-Sensei's mother prayed for a son. Morihei (O'Sensei) was the son who was born to her.

Tsubaki Okami Yashiro, Grand Shrine [Double click photo to enlarge]
The entrance (torii) to Tsubaki Grand Shrine lies shaded within large trees. Tsubaki Grand Shrine enshrines several kami: Sarutahiki-Okami, Ninigi-no-mikoto, Takuhatachizihime-no-mikoto, Ameno-uzume-no-mikoto, and Konohanaskuyahime-no-mikoto.	This sign near the entrance torii to the 2,000 yr. old Tsubaki Jinja shows Sarutahiko-Okami and Ameno-uzume-no-mikoto. Tsubaki is the Head Shrine for over 2,000 shrines honoring Sarutahiko. Sarutahiko is the leader of earthly kami (Kunitsu Kami).	The mound in the rear is the grave site of Sarutahiko. Within the fence is the site where Ninigi was said to have been led Heaven to Earth by Sarutahiko. Ninigi, grandson of the Sun Goddess, is the mythically the first ruler of Japan. Also seen is one of the kumainu lion-like dog guardians.
This honden, or main worship house, holds the enshrinement for Sarutahiko Okami. He is the kami of Guidance, Positiveness, and Courage. O-Sensei believed he received many teachings from this kami and, in 1960, had Sarutahiko enshrined by the High Priest at the Aikido shrine in Iwama.	This Shrine houses the enshrinement for Ame-no-uzume-no-Mikoto, the wife of Sarutahiko. She caused the Sun Goddess to emerge from hiding, forever bringing light to Earth..	This lovely teahouse, Reishoan, provides the setting for tranquil tea ceremonies at the Shrine.
In front is the 96th High Priest Rev. Yamamoto, Guji. He serves as agent between the kami and the 25,000 who worship at this shrine. Rev. Yamamoto met and performed purification rituals for O-Sensei regularly beginning in 1958.	The inner sanctuary worship room with a circle, square, triangle inlaid floor. Rev. Yamamoto states that O-Sensei derived these symbols for Aikido from this.	The room houses several other shrine among which O-Sensei and Kisshomaru Ueshiba, are now enshrined spirits (out of frame on the far left).
The actual shrine markers for O-Sensei and Kisshomaru Ueshiba are seen here. Kisshomaru Sensei died Jan. 4, 1999. These enshrinements were completed in March, 2000.	The sacred, 12,000 yr. old, Koryu-Myojin's waterfall where misogi (purification) was performed with O-Sensei and is performed still.	O-Sensei planted this tree beside the waterfall.

Aikido Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan [Double click photo to enlarge]
Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, Sensei. Ueshiba Sensei is the grandson of O-Sensei. He became Doshu in Feb. 1999.	Hombu Dojo: awaiting Ueshiba, Sensei.	Ueshiba, Sensei bows to shomen.
Ueshiba, Sensei demonstrates irimi-nage.	Ueshiba, Sensei demonstrates shiho-nage.	Other classes at the Hombu Dojo as Etuji Horii, Sensei demonstrates .