Gravity（Attraction） of Kyoto 34 “We can still make it at this time.“ A prayerful spirit and a place of prayer
Yoshie Doi
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A worship site located at the bottom of Karasuma-dori and Bukkoji-dori, next to the Hase Daihachi Building
Before this year’s Setsubun, I tried decluttering my home and office. I wanted to greet Setsubun with a fresh mindset. I looked over everything, both my mind and my possessions. I found a huge pile of letters I had received and reread them.
I came across a letter from the 11th chairman, Tamaki Hanbei, that I received on the 20th anniversary of Kyo Suzume’s founding. “Hi, it’s been a while…” he began, and continued, “If we continue at this time, we can still pass on Kyoto culture, a culture that must never be forgotten…” He ended by saying, “I’m 86 years old, but I’m doing my best, thinking that this is the end of my life.”
I remember being moved when I turned 86 and thinking that I wanted to live my life with the feeling that it was just beginning. The activities of the “Okudosan Summit” and “Okudosan Future Group” are being carried out thanks to the strong feelings of the long-established businesses. They believe that “it’s not too late now.” Furthermore, the splendor of Kyoto culture is recognized around the world. How to pass it on to future generations, and having been born and raised in Kyoto, I realize that things that I once took for granted are actually unique to Kyoto and wonderful. Kyoto holds a special place in my heart.
Bukkoji-dori , two blocks down from Shijo Karasuma, down Bukkoji-, there is a worship site next to the entrance of the Hase Building No. 8. When I moved in over a decade ago, I asked the building staff about this worship site, but I didn’t really understand it.
Remote worship sites have existed since ancient times. Himukai-Daijinngu also has a remote worship site to Ise Shrine, but there is also one in the business district facing Karasuma Street. This is what makes Kyoto so great. There is even a Jizo statue built into a building on Shijo Street. It embodies the spirit of continuing to protect what is important. The spirit of changing the form but inheriting the essence – now is not the time. The existence of remote worship sites is connected to the Kyoto spirit of believing in invisible powers. “Now is not the time.”
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Translated by Masami Otani
