August 9th was a day when Nagasaki
was bombed and so many innocent people had been exposed to the
radiation from the nuclear weapon.
Hiroshima is so famous for the
tragedy, yet Nagasaki also experienced the same disaster. I put my hands
together for those many lives that were lost.
Yesterday our Emperor had made a
statement about his "Okimochi (thoughts)." It moved me. He carefully
chose the words to express how seriously he takes about the matter of his
people and his nation. One could feel that he soulfully dedicates his life
for it.
Looking at the history of the Japanese Imperial Family of over 2000
years, an emperor showing his face to the public did not happen until the Meiji
Emperor's enthronement(1867~1912).
As shown in the picture, there was
always a Misu (bamboo blind) in between the officers and the
emperor and only his voice was heard.
The statement the Emperor had
announced is a historical event and a serious matter.
The content that left me
the most impression is as follows;
* As an emperor’s duty, I have always
thought of the importance to pray for the nation's peace and happiness.
Therefore, during the 28 years since my enthronement, I have dedicated my body
and soul to think and pray for the people of Japan.
His Majesty has used the word
"pray" considering the separation of government and religion and
for the people having different religions. But the truth is that the Emperor
would be praying in the Shinto ritual style to Amaterasu-Ohomikami for the
peace of the people, nation and the world.
The Grand Shrine of Ise (Ise Jingu)
is where all the ancestors of the Imperial Family rests. The Emperor would
be the top priest of all the high priest of this shrine.
I could feel his seriousness for the
sense of mission and the concern that if he has health problems he would not be
able to pray for the people well enough. What will happen when he becomes
ill and stops praying?
● As we have witnessed in the past, when the Emperor becomes ill
in a severe condition, the society comes to a standstill and the people's lives
are impacted in various ways.
The Emperor stated his concern in a
reserved expression. You may doubt about this idea, would it really create so
much influence? But in his daily prayers where he is saying,
* If calamity needs to occur for the
people or the nation, I will take it over with my entire body.
When his daily prayers to the great
god had to be stopped, a crisis to the nation comes. We have witnessed many
times in the past history of Japan.
He also mentioned in his announcement
that in the practice of the Japanese Imperial Family, after the death of the
current emperor the ritual of passing the throne to the next emperor would
include a heavy mourning duties that continues every day for two months
followed by funeral events that continues for one year. Simultaneously, the new
emperor must proceed with rituals and preparations to open a new era which also
takes heavy strain for one year. During this period, the emperor will not
be able to do his daily prayers and rituals or any official duties as the
symbol of Japan. Considering all of these facts and strain that he himself
and the empress had to experience in the beginning of his enthronement,
he wishes that these two big events to be done at a separate time so the
next emperor and the family does not have to go through what he went through.
This is what I felt personally
through the words spoken from the Emperor. I felt this is why he is asking for
the abdicate while he still has good health. To put his responsibility for
the nation and the Japanese people first, he has made this big statement in
order for the duty as the Emperor of Japan does not stop because of all the
ceremonies that needs to take place during the passing of the throne.
I have seen the public calendar of
the Emperor's schedule. He only has one day off a week, and it was filled with
visiting places all over Japan. There were comments on the internet, that this
is a harsh occupation and really too much work.
I would like to look back what had happened
in the past history when the Emperor was not able to give the daily ritual
of prayers.
The were many times when the crisis
of the nation in the matter of life and death had took place in the past. But
the first event that comes into my mind, is the Nara Period(AD710~794). Emperor
Shomu's mother was suffering from a psychophysiologic disorder for
more than thirty years. However, her mother's family, the Fujiwara Family recommended
her to become a Buddhist and to try the buddhist rituals which worked and made
a good turn. Emperor Shomu's wife was also from the Fujiwara Family and a
strong believer of Buddhism.
The first Fujiwara (according to some
scholars there are few theories that he came from overseas, most likely Chinese
or Korean and a person of high position). He was exceptionally bright and
fluent in the language from the continent. Hence, he became an officer in the
foreign affairs and the Fujiwara Family had worked for the government for over
one thousand years remaining in a very important position. And they were a
passionate Buddhist.
Because of the influence from his own
mother and his wife, even as a Japanese Emperor, Emperor Shomu became a devouty
of Buddhism. And he came to a decision to spend most of the national
budget to build the famous large Buddha figure in Nara and made the people
work on it. During this period, naturally his Shinto practice of prayers
were not performed properly. And what happened to Japan and its people? If you
read about the history of this time, you will find out.
Our Prime Minister has commented
after the Emperor's speech. To me, I saw tears in his eyes. He has experienced
himself the arduous duties. Therefore when he thinks of the Emperor for his 28
years of heavy duties and responsibilities, he must have had some rumbling
emotions running through.
Somehow, this reminded of me of the
great champions, Yokozuna sumo wrestlers giving a retiring speech, "it was
at the limits of my physical ability." The Emperor is now over 80
years old. And he has run a longest marathon without taking any break. For him
to make such announcement, I could only imagine how hard it was for him. I
would like to quietly pray for him that everything would go smoothly to fulfill
his wishes.
The above
thoughts are entirely my personal opinion. I will respect everyone to have
their own thoughts about this matter.
Ikashite-itadaite Arigato-gozaimasu
I am grateful to be led to live this life
生かして頂いて 有り難う御座います
written 2016.8.09
