神道の合気道, Rare Look at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America

The video featured here is of the Kannagara Aikido Aiki Taisai, filmed by Alex Williams on April 27-29 2012 with Rev. Koichi Barish at Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls, Washington. As a one time member of the Shinkendo Honbu, I have had the distinct pleasure of being a guest of the Aikido group and Barraish Sensei up there. The Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America has to be one of the most awesome places to train in martial arts I have ever experienced. The spiritual side to Bushido can not be understated particularly in regards to Aikido whose founder 植芝 盛平, Ueshiba Morihei himself was a devout Shinto practitioner. We at American Mishima love to feature this shrine for it has special meaning for us. The beauty and power of the place is both unmistakable and quite awe inspiring for the site itself was chosen by the direction of the Kami. The river ceremony depicted here is the Shinto morning purification rite known as Misogi. Traditionally performed in Japan under a waterfall, it is done there in the Pilchuck River. Yours truly has participated in this purification at this very Shrine during the summer of 2010. Much like Shinto itself, photographs can only show you so much. Video on the other hand gives you the next closest thing to being there. However, it's better experienced than explained. If you have an interest in Shinto or Aikido, we highly reccomend a visit to The Grand Tsubaki Shrine of America. You'll be glad you did.

For more information about Kannagara Aikido, please contact Kannushi@Tsubakishrine.org. This year Kannagara celebrates it's 20th year.