April 2006 Tozan Commemorating the
Inauguration of the 68th High Priest Nichinyo Shonin


   

         

Before going to the Head Temple Taisekiji, Myoshinji Temple members congregated
in the hotel lobby near Narita Airport and boarded buses for a visit to Ryugenji Temple.

 

The gold dots on the above map indicate the location of Narita Airport (top right),
Ryugenji Temple in Ito City on the Izu Penninsula (bottom left), and the Head Temple (middle left).


 


Ryugenji Temple is a traditionally designed temple on one of many
thick green hills, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

 

     

Reverend Jido Kimura, the Chief Priest of Ryugenji Temple, and
Reverend Shogu Kimura, the Chief Priest of Myoshinji Temple, are father and son.

 

       

       


The visit, of course, began with a vigorous Gongyo.

 

    

After a translation of Reverend Jido Kiruma's address was read,
Reverend Shogu Kimura translated his father's additional remarks.

 

      


After Gongyo the Ryugenji parishioners treated the Myoshinji members to a sumptuous barbecue.  The friendly lady in the red, blue and green print dress is Reverend Shoju Kimura's mother.

 


Since there were too many members for a single group photo on the temple front steps,
two separate photos were taken.

 

    

Before continuing their trip to the Head Temple, the Ryugenji temple members
handed mementos to the Myoshinji Temple members.  The gift wrapped scrolls
contained three drawings by Reverend Jido Kimura of structures at the Head Temple. 
Reverend Jido Kimura was also the architect who designed Ryugenji Temple .
 

 

     

One of the drawings by Reverend Kimura's father was this picture of the
Kyakuden (Reception Hall), where the High Priest conducts Ushitora Gongyo.

 


At the Head Temple on the morning of April 15th,
the sky was overcast, but Mount Fuji was visible.

 

After a nights rest, the Myoshinji temple members blended in
with many others for morning prayers in the Sonibo lodging temple.


 

Huge pillars supporting the Hoando dwarf those entering for Gokaihi at 1:30 p.m. on April 15th.
 
Myoshinji's Herb Pierce, Arthur Whitney and Thomas Murray pose for a photo at the
base of one of the Hoando pillars, prior to entering for prayers to the Dai-Gohonzon.
 
    

While returning from another Gokaihi on the morning of April 16th, members could stop for a
refreshing cup of spring water and enjoy the lush colors of the walkway shrubbery.


 

 

At 2 p.m. on April 16th, the General Meeting in the Kofubo was set to begin.
 
A close-up of the General Meeting poster hanging from the ceiling of the Kofubo.
 
There were hundreds of people from all over the world in attendance.
 
Translations in various languages of the many addresses were
transmitted to earphones worn by attendees.
 

Some members from Myoshinji Temple clapping during the High Priest's address.


 


Those who are elderly and disabled could participate in relative comfort on the
ground floor by viewing the proceeding on a large picture screen.

 

 

 

    

Views through the large circular windows above the front and back entrances of the Kofubo.

 

 


 


Three priests from the Foreign Affairs Department (including the former
Chief Priest of Myoshinji Temple, Reverend Cho-on Shiba, on the far left)
working behind the scenes to help organize the event.

 


 


Valentina Maliarenko, from Vancouver, British Columbia,
 gave a determination on behalf of the members from Western Canada.

 

A photo of a young lady from Myohoji Temple in LA.


 

Vincent Chang of Myoshinji Temple also gave an experience on behalf of the young adults.
 
        
Vincent Chang's proud mother, Leilani.
 

Entertainers, who are members from Korea,
helped to make this a spectacular event.

 

As did these colorful gymnasts from Indonesia.
 
The grand finale of the 4th Overseas General Meeting.
 
At the time the Myoshinji Temple members were preparing to return on the
morning of April 17, 2006, the sky was soft  blue and a snow capped Mount Fuji
burst majestically through a bed of low lying clouds.

 

  (Photo Album)