“First Horse Day Festival” at Suekazu Inari Shrine
Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi Serves as Chief Priest
On February 8, the “First Horse Day Festival” was held at the Suekazu Inari Shrine in Akasaka, Tokyo. Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie, served as the Chief Priest. Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association, was also present.
The Festival started at 2:00 p.m. It was attended by about 90 people, including Rev. Kazuo Isobe, Chairman and CEO of Seicho-No-Ie, officers of the Headquarters and affiliated organizations as well as followers from neighboring Missionary Areas.
After the purification rite, Invocation and offerings, Rev. Taniguchi read the “Hatsuuma” (First Horse) supplication and offered a sacred branch. This was followed by the offering of a sacred branch by Mrs. Junko Taniguchi. The Head Priest and other priests also offered sacred branches. While the attendees read the Holy Sutra, Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines, sacred branches were offered by Missionary Councilors, Seicho-No-Ie Elders, officers of affiliated organizations and representative of the attendees from the Tokyo Missionary Area, No. 1. After the removal of the offerings and the Affirmation of Perfect Peace and Harmony, the Festival ended at 2:45 p.m.
Seicho-No-Ie is deeply connected to Suekazu Inari Shrine in its Movement of propagation through publications. Seicho-No-Ie’s relationship with the Suekazu Inari Shrine goes back to the time when Seicho-No-Ie was first founded. Mrs. Teruko Taniguchi visited the Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine in Kyoto City, requesting help in expanding the distribution of the Seicho-No-Ie magazines and then made its branch shrine at her home.
The “First Horse Festival” was also held at the Suekazu Inari Shrine at the Uji Temple from 11:00 a.m. It was attended by 839 people.