God of Japan Moved

It is believed in Japan that the body of God rests in Naiku, the main sanctuary of Ise Shrine. In that body enshrined is Amaterasu Omikami, or God of the Sun and mythically the founder of Japan. The God moves Her residence for refreshment every twenty years. The ritual for that was carried out in the evening of Wednesday, with attendance of imperial families and Prime Minister. Although the leaders cerebrated Her move so closely, nobody knows whether She was satisfied with current situation of this nation.

New building of Naiku was settled next to old one. Next new building will be replacing the old one twenty years later . The move was actually bringing the body of God, actually the Mirror that consisted of one of the Three Sacred Treasures as well as the Sword and the Juwels, from old building to the new. The ceremony began with artificial crying of rooster and the body was transferred in the darkness on the road with several hundred feet, spending forty minutes. This religious ceremony started about thirteen hundred years ago, and the latest was the sixty-second ceremony according to news reports. Officials of the Shrine believe the move is based on the concept of eternal youth, as well as for maintaining technology of shrine carpenters.

In old myth, when Amaterasu Omikami was invisible hiding Herself in a cave, the world became dark and full of disasters. After She reappeared from the cave, the world regained light. For believers, this move for the first time in two decades was one of the few chances in their lifetime to see Her out of the shade of the Shrine and pray for happiness for their lives. Not only three thousands of official guests in Naiku, but a lot of people waited for the first visit to new building outside of the Shrine.

One possible stain appeared along with the cerebration was political dispute over the legitimacy of PM’s attendance. Article 20 of the Constitution says “The States and its organs shall refrain from religious education or any other religious activity.” Buddhists and Christians raised question over Abe’s visit to the religious event of Shintoism. Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, reasoned Abe’s attendance to be a private individual visit, not a public person, the justification which the government often use in the visit to Yasukuni Shrine.

Most people do not care whether the visit of PM was private or official. They prayed for their happiness, or stability of their life. No matter how political leaders appeal their effort to protect the nation, it is God who gives psychological security to all, praying also for eternity of Her.