Shinto wedding in New York

Some background on Chief Priest Yuzuru Kiyomi who will conduct the rare and beautiful Shinto wedding in NYC (at Globus Washitsu):

“Yuzuru Kiyomi, Chief Priest of the Miyajidake Jinja in Fukuoka, has found his path in world cultural programs after inheriting the vast territorial domain in northern Kyushu in 2004.

Since taking over the daily duties of guiding worshippers at the shrine, he has made it “his life-long mission” of passing on the history of the shrine and a restored ancient dance to the world and to future generations of shrine devotees in Japan. He has embarked on performing the dance in the United States, a first step in a series of cultural exchange activities. The dance, which originated in China, was first shown and recorded in northern Kyushu some 1,700 years ago.

Shinto wedding rituals remain an essential part of Japanese culture and traditions. Kiyomi has urged marrying couple to seek spirituality in their life and to “pledge in front of kami (deity) on your marriage with your partner because we are the creation of deity. Shinto wedding is a ritual that let you make a report of your marriage to deity, get accepted, and pray for your perpetual prosperity.”

Before becoming a chief priest, Kiyomi spent a decade studying and working in the United States as a representative of the Kasuga Taisha Jinja in Nara, Japan. The experience helped to prepare him for the current leading role at the Miyajidake Jinja.”
(from press release)

****************

Miyajidake is particularly famous for its sunset, featured this year in a CM by the pop group Arashi, which has led to a large number of sightseers.