A conversation between CEO Noriko Ishizaka and Mr. Oshimi of Yushima Tenmangu Shrine has been published

The December issue of Voice, published by PHP Institute,
features a conversation between our CEO, Noriko Ishizaka, and Masazumi Oshimi of Yushima Tenmangu Shrine.
Oshimi serves as a negi (negi) assistant to the chief priest at Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, and currently gives lectures on a variety of occasions. The conversation,
titled “Aiming for ‘Coexistence with Nature’ – Education to Regain a Sense of Seasons and a Spirit of Gratitude,”
explores what Ishizaka’s goal of “coexistence with nature” means, from the perspective of Shintoism, a religion that has long been cherished by the Japanese people.

Mr. Oshimi visited Mitomi Konjaku Mura and toured the facility with his family before the interview, and said that he felt a sense of “coexistence with nature” everywhere in Mitomi Konjaku Mura.

Ishizaka fears that our modern society, where paying for things is the norm and we are overwhelmed with services, may be related to the Japanese people’s lack of sensitivity to nature.
In response, Oshimi said, “Modern people have become less afraid of nature. It is important to feel that we are living in nature.”

Oshimi also commented that he was impressed by the fact that the recycling plant is surrounded by forest and that the sounds of factory work can be heard no matter where one is in the forest.
“By experiencing two seemingly contradictory things at the same time, Satoyama restoration and industrial waste disposal, I hope that it will give visitors an opportunity to think about what kind of worldview we should have in the future,” he said. “We
will work on the scrub forest to turn it into Satoyama, where nature ‘circulates.’ We will sort the garbage by hand and recycle it so that it becomes a resource again. Satoyama restoration and industrial waste disposal have something in common.” “
Recycling is essential to our society, and I want many people to know how valuable the work of industrial waste disposal that creates it is,” said Ishizaka.

“We all need a place or opportunity to stop somewhere. Japanese people have always valued stopping for a moment at various times in their lives. For example, the Great Purification Ceremony is held twice a year to cleanse ourselves of the impurities of the past six months and reset ourselves. We should be able to reset our values, which have become accustomed to mass production and mass consumption, and find added value in reducing and reusing waste,” said Oshimi.

We will continue our efforts and continue to spread the word so that Ishizaka’s thoughts can reach as many people as possible.

For more information on the magazine, please click here:
PHP Institute Voice December 2017 issue