General Reports:

Visiting the great “Ise” Japan:

The Ise Grand Shrine located in the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Officially known simply as Jingū, Ise Jingū is a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, Naikū and Gekū.

The Inner Shrine, Naikū, is located in the town of Uji-tachi, south of central Ise, and is dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu, where she is believed to dwell. The shrine buildings are made of solid cypress wood and use no nails but instead joined wood. The Outer Shrine, Gekū, is located about six kilometers from Naikū and dedicated to Toyouke-Ōmikami, the god of agriculture, rice harvest, and industry. Besides Naikū and Gekū, there are an additional 123 Shinto shrines in Ise City and the surrounding areas, 91 of them connected to Naikū and 32 to Gekū.

Purportedly the home of the Sacred Mirror, the shrine is one of Shinto’s holiest and most important sites. Access to both sites is strictly limited, with the common public not allowed beyond sight of the thatched roofs of the central structures, hidden behind four tall wooden fences. However, tourists are free to roam the forest, including its ornamental walkways after the Meiji period.

Tama-Chan

Tama-chan, is the lady that gave us the support with going around the places. She felt like air and so kindly assisted us filled the curiosity needs I had every steps of the way. The City of Ise is to me,  something that we all should see coming to Japan. Really something to see. Lots of tourists yes but all seem so calm and beautifully organized. Tama-chan is also an artist and she wants to teach “Paste” to her hometown in Ise and the city she lives in Hokkaido. I did not much talk about the Marine Foundation during the day as we visited but at evening time, just before departing I had a chance to say a few words. Surprisingly, I found myself setting up a program for the kind of ideas she had for the public wishes in trying to help other the best she could through Art. On that note she I think became interested in the communication system of the foundation somehow. Yes indeed, we will do something together. It’s very admirable when someone welcomes you to their town and places, making you feel at home and letting you discover new things through simple and kind gestures of unconditional giving.