Dutch celebrations

There’s a report of the Dutch Shinzen Foundation’s 30th anniversary celebration up on the following webpage:

http://www.shinto.nl/30_years_shinto_europe.htm

There’s also a video showing the very fine ritual put on by Paul de Leeuw, complete with a trio of gagaku musicians and a miko with a splendid headdress.  Green Shinto even gets a mention in one of the speeches!

Paul de Leeuw in priestly garb

quote from the site:
“30 Years Shinto in Europe In 1981 the Holland Yamakage Shinto Foundation was founded in Amsterdam. Between 1979 and1981 drs Paul de Leeuw studied at the Yamakage Shinto School Kireigu, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka-ken, Japan.In April 1981 he returned to Holland with the official license to perform Shinto ceremonies. In 1991 the Foundation built a Shinto shrine and dojo in the Vierwindenhuis, Amsterdam. After the celebration of the 400 Years Friendship between Japan and the Netherlands in 2000 the Foundation changed its name into Japanese Dutch Shinzen Foundation in order to emphasize the cultural exchange between both countries. Shinzen means: friendship. Thousands of people have come to the dojo and shrine and have experienced the energy of universal shinto. The Dutch Shinto-master has performed traditional Japanese ceremonies for Japanese companies all over Europe. Many Japanese families have found their way to the Shinto shrine in Holland to celebrate shichi-go-san [7-5-3], hatsumiyamairi [first shrine visit for babies] and hatsumode [New Year]. Since 2006 Hatsumode is celebrated in a temporary shrine in Hotel Okura Amsterdam.”