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The leader of the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America, Rev. Koichi
Barrish, led a fascinating worship service of purification
for the current and past leaders of the UUA and honored guests
as well as the approximately 1,000 people gathered to witness
the remarkable service. This service began another busy day
for the more than 7,400 individuals gathered for the Unitarian
Universalist Association’s 42nd General Assembly in
Boston.
On stage as observers was the president of the Tsubaki Grand
Shrine in America; Chairman Katsunori Yamanoi of the Rhisso
Kosei-kai; former UUA Moderator and President of the USA branch
of the International Association for Religious Freedom, Natalie
Gulbrandson; Former UUA Moderator Denny Davidoff; UUA Executive
Vice President Kay Montgomery; UUA First Vice Moderator Elizabeth
McGregor; and UUA President William G. Sinkford.
Presenting the ceremony were Rev. Barrish, who is Shrine
Director and Senior Shinto Priest of the Tsubaki Grand Shrine
of America; Rev. Naomichi Sato, Shinto Priest, of the Tsubaki
Grand Shrine; and Sacred Dancer Mrs. Donni Barrish, Shrine
Assistant, Tsubaki Grand Shrine in America. The Rev. Olivia
Holmes, Director of the UUA International Relations Office,
acted as Tengi, or announcer for the service. The Tsubaki
Grand Shrine of America is located in western WA state and
is a liberal faith partner of the UUA.
The Worship Service consisted of a number of phases:
Preliminary purification of food offerings; purification
of Rev. Barrish and all in attendance; invitation of the Kami
(divine spirit) to the temporary shrine, offerings made to
the kami, and recitation of the “Misogi-no-Oharai”
and the “Goshu-no-Shinka” in Japanese. Rev. Barrish
recited a prayer on everyone’s behalf, and followed
this by drumming in offering to the Kami. Mrs. Barrish offered
a Sacred Dance to the Kami. The leaders on stage then moved
to the shrine by two’s and three’s to offer a
sacred evergreen branch to the Kami. The offerings were removed
by Rev. Sato, in tessen-no-gi, and finally, in soushin-no-gi,
the kami was bid farewell.
The chalice was extinguished, and this act concluded the
fascinating Shinto ceremony of purification.
Written by Deborah Weiner; Web Design by Julie Albanese
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Saturday Morning Worship: Shinto Service 
