Starting today, the Shinkiko Retreat seminar has begun in Tamana District, which is close to Fukuoka in Kyushu and Kumamoto. This will be the first venue for the event. Whenever I go to a place for the first time, I always try to find out what kind of people were connected to this place and find out the historical background, since somehow the event is held there.
For me, the first thing I do is open up Google Maps and look for something that catches my eye. Then, I start to see things that interest me, such as ancient shrines and famous places, and I start searching for them on the internet. In the case of this time’s venue, the first thing that caught my eye was Otsuyama Aso Shrine, which is located near the facility.
The venue where we have held events in Kumamoto so far was located in what was once the precincts of Aso Shrine, so we may have been guided there.
With that in mind, when I expanded the display area of the map a little more, I noticed the “Heike Ipponzakura（One cherry tree of Heike）”, and when I looked into it, I found “Miyama, one of the Heike Valleys” where the remnants of the Heike clan are said to have lived in hiding, in Yamakawa-machi, Miyama city. The Heike Ipponzakura (One cherry tree of Heike), which stands on the top of a small mountain called Mt. Tempo Koyama, is loved as a sacred tree for the Heike family. Further investigation reveals that the Heike group that survived the Battle of Dan-no-ura traveled by boat or on foot to Hakata, then descended south along the Satsuma Highway to escape the Genji pursuers, ending up near the current intersection of the Haegawa River and the Matsui River. This land has now been developed and turned into Kanamegawa Park, where a monument commemorating the last battle of the Heike clan is placed.”
I thought that the end of the Genpei War would be Dan-no-ura, but it turned out that it ended up in a place like this. Furthermore, the Battle of Chikugo River, one of Japan’s three major battles, is about 40 kilometers north of here.
Even so, the many battles involve many people and create strong negative energies such as deep sadness and hatred, which still have an impact on people. Therefore, I think that the energy of true light is necessary there.
Last month’s training was held in Atami, a place connected to Genji, and next month it will be held at Miyajima, a place connected to Taira no Kiyomori, so I feel a strong connection.
By the way, next week is the vernal equinox. My predecessor said that by seeing the happiness of the people around you, including you, your worries about your ancestors will go away, and this will be the best memorial service for your ancestors. I would like you to turn your attention to your parents and grandparents, remember what they have done for you, and express your gratitude.