5/27 Monday

View of Iki island from Iki Byu Hotel PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Iki island Background information (excerpted from Guidebook of Iki Island made by Hizen Ogenki SUN group, a SAGA member)

A mythological story about Iki island and the birth of Japan was written in Kojiki (“Record of ancient matters”), the oldest extant chronicle in Japan.

 Iki island has another name, which is “Ameno hito bashira.” Hashira (Bashira) means “pillar” in Japanese.

According to Shinto belief, pillars or columns are the home of deities; that is, deities resides in pillars. These pillars are considered to be the connection to the world of heaven. In the worldview, before *Kojiki, people believed that they could go to the world of heaven through those pillars.

 According to Nihonshoki, the chronicle of Japan, Iki island is the fifth island of the first eight islands created.

 IkiIsland is as beautiful as a jewelry box and its name appears in the Chinese history book Gishiwajinden. In the beginning of the history of Japan, Iki island supported international relations, trading, and defense as the base of pathways of the ocean.

Yakinotoge Remain is considered to be one part of Hiratsukagawazoe Remain, and it is believed that there were interactions between Iki island and Hiratsukagawazoe Remain.

*The Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters, 712) is the oldest existing chronicle of Japan. It records the mythology ot the creation of heaven and earth and the founding of Japan. It tells how the male deity Izanagi no Mikoto and the female deity Izanami no Mikoto stood on the Floating Bridge of Heaven and struck the Heavenly Jeweled Spear into the ocean below the bridge. The water from that spear formed an island. On the island the two carried out the rites of marriage.

 Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan and their various deities. When she gave birth to the fire deity, she was burned and died. Deeply saddened, Izanagi followed her into the underworld, Yomi no Kuni, and found her in a terrible state. She pleads with him not to look at her. But he does, and out of shame and anger, she pursues him back to the entrance to the underworld. He barely escapes, then pushes a boulder across the entrance, separating the world of the living from the world of he dead. He carries out a puritication rite which produces the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, and her brother Susanoo no Mikoto. Amaterasu became the principal female deity of Shinto mythology. ]

View of Tatsunoshima from the boat PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We left the port of Hakata at 10:45 am and arrived at Iki island at 11:50am. After lunch, we took a tour boat around Tatsuno island, an unihabited island beach on Iki island. This Iki island tour was planned and coordinated by Saga Members (Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, Shinobu Uwataki, Yoko Taniguchi, Chieko Higashi, Yoko Nishimura, Yasuko Nishimura, Terumi Kuroda, Kahori Sano, and Naoko Tokushima. 

We boarded a chartered bus and went to Iki Byu Hotel and checked in at 4:00pm. Then we took sightseeing boat around Tatsuno island.

View of Tatsunoshima from the boat PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

 Gene Savoy and Japanese participants held a question and answer session at Iki Byu Hotel restaurant from 5:00-6:00pm.

Gene Savoy Jr. responds to question PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Group gathered for Q & A session PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We had dinner at Iki Byu Hotel banquet room at 6:00pm.

Iki island is renowned for its fresh and delicious seafood PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We went to watch Iki Noh Dance (*Kagura) at 8:00pm and went back to the hotel after the performance.   

*Kagura, sacred music and masked dance, is performed at major shrines to pacify and entertain the deity. It is also performed as part of local festivals and at rituals at the imperial court. It dates from at least the 9^th century. It is now considered part of Japanese folk performing arts (minzoku geino).
—excerpt from Japanese Religion by James M. Vardaman and Sawada Gumi

PHOTO Stephan Fuelling

Travel notes by Noriko Roy

< DAY 4 >

< DAY 6>

5/26 Sunday

 A Sunrise Service was held at the old burial mound of Yakinotouge at 5:00am.

Sunrise Service PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Sunrise Service PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Greeting the ministers PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Sunrise Service group picture (Front row, left to right) Hiroko Soejima, Chieko Higashi, Noriko and Joseph Roy, Yoko Nishimura, Yoko Taniguchi, Ms. Mitobe, Terumi Kuroda, Eriko Ueno, Mitsuyo Hukuyama; (back row, left to right) Robert Roy, Miyuki Okayama, Koshu Kawahara, Yukinori Matsushita, Shoko Oba, Mr. Hagihara, Junko Kodama, Shoko Taketomi, Stephan Fuelling PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Later that morning, Akiko Takahashi was ordained at the Cosolargy Headquarters.

After ordination of Akiko Takahashi PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

After the Ordination, we had a Fellowship brunch at the Headquarters.

Group picture before Fellowship (front row, left to right) Eriko Ueno, Shoko Taketomi, Keiko Inoue and Joseph Roy, Mitsuyo Hukuyama, Ms. Mitobe; (back row, left to right) Gene Savoy, Noriko Roy, Koshu Kawahara, Yaeno Sanada, Akiko Takahashi, Miyuki Okayama, Yukinori Matsushita, Shoko Oba, Stephan Fuelling, Shinobu Uwataki, Robert Roy PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Fellowship brunch PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Following an afternoon break, Junko Kodama was ordained at the Cosolargy Headquarters at 3:00pm.

Yukinori Matsushita, Junko Kodama, Gene Savoy after ordination ceremony PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

After the Ordination, Gene held a private, small-group talk for some Japanese members with Yukinori’s translating.

Gene’s talk PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Yuki translating PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Group picture (front row, left to right) Hiroe Ueno, Noriko and Joseph Roy, Keiko Inoue, Shoko Oba, Sabrina Savoy; (back row, left to right) Stephan Fuelling, Robert Roy, Koshu Kawahara, Yukinori Matsushita, Junko Kodama, Miyuki Okayama, Gene Savoy, and Shinobu Uwataki PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Travel notes by Noriko Roy

< Day 3 >

< Day 5 >

5/25 Saturday

After breakfast at the hotel, we attended Communion Service at the Cosolargy Headquarters at 9:00 am.

After Communion Service (front row, left to right) Chieko Nakayama, Yaeno Sanada, Sabrina Savoy, Noriko and Joseph Roy, Shoko Taketomi; (middle row, left to right) Shoko Oba, Miyuki Okayama, Stephan Fuelling, Eriko Ueno; (back row, left to right) Robert Roy, Yukinori Matsushita, Gene Savoy, Koshu Kawahara, Shinobu Uwataki PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We went Kinryu Shrine to see the Statue of Sarasvati in Saga.

Torii gate (Shinto shrine gate) of Kinryu Shrine PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Statue of Kobodaishi and SarasvatI PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We had a lunch at Shoya Japanese restaurant, then went to Ino Noh Theater and watched A dance performance by Mizuho Asano. This event was planned and coordinated by Saga Members Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, Shinobu Uwataki, Yoko Taniguchi, Chieko Higashi, Yoko Nishimura, Yasuko Nishimura, Terumi Kuroda, Kahori Sano, and Naoko Tokushima.

Dancer Asano Mizuho PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

After the performance, Gene promoted the new Japanese translation of the book Project X: The Search for the Secret of Immortality.

Gene Savoy Jr. and Yukinori Mastushita PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

After the performance (front row, left to right) Koshu Kawahara, Kahori Sano, Sabrina Savoy, Naoko Tokushima, Shinobu Uwataki, Noriko, Robert and Joseph Roy, Yoko Nishimura, Yoko Taniguchi, Cieko Higashi; (back row, left to right) Yasuko Nishimura, Musician, Dancer, Gene Savoy, Yukinori Matsushita, Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, and Terumi Kuroda PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We had a social gathering at Cinemate-ku Jazz Cafe and Bar from 4:00-6:00pm.A light meal was served, and participants spoke with Gene Savoy Jr. about Cosolargy. This event was planned and coordinated by Saga Members (Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, Shinobu Uwataki, Yoko Taniguchi, Chieko Higashi, Yoko Nishimura, Yasuko Nishimura, Terumi Kuroda, Kahori Sano, and Naoko Tokushima. 

Travel notes by Noriko Roy

< DAY 2 >

<DAY 4 >

5/24 Friday

Gene Savoy, Yukinori Matsushita, other American guests and some Japanese members left the hotel at 9:00 am and traveled to Saga for a guided tour in Saga. We arrived at Niyama Shrine in Kanzaki, Saga at 10:00 am.

 

 

Niyama Shrine PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

At torii of Niyama Shrine (from left to right) Yukinori Matsushita, Miyuki Okayama, Chieko Nakayama , Shinobu Uwataki, Keiko Inoue PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We visited the ruins at *Yoshinogari Historical Park at 11:00 am. This visit was planned and coordinated by Saga Members Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, Shinobu Uwataki, Yoko Taniguchi, Chieko Higashi, Yoko Nishimura, Yasuko Nishimura, Terumi Kuroda, Kahori Sano, and Naoko Tokushima.

 *The Yoshinogari hills were originally slated for one of Saga Prefecture’s industrial areas, but the project was suspended upon discovery of ruins and relics, until further research into the area could be carried out. In 1986, the site was meticulously studied to understand whether it was a truly important cultural site. The concluding result was that this area was one of Japan’s largest moat encircled villages dating from the Yayoi period (c. 3 BCE – c. 3 CE). The location and layout of the village captured the imagination of Japan as it closely resembled the long disputed ancient country of Yamatai mentioned in early Chinese chronicles. The Yoshinogari ruins are of extremely high academic value and are an important cultural asset.

In 1992, the Yoshinogari ruins were designated a NationalHistoricalPark with the surrounding area made into a SagaPrefecturalPark. In April 2001, the initial phase of the Park was opened to the public. The Park, as of April 1, 2009, measures 73.7 hectares (38.3 hectares of national land, 35.4 hectares of prefectural land).

< Visit the Yoshinogari web site. >

Reconstructed buildings PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Reconstructed buildings PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Exhibition of a ritual with a shaman PHOTO: Stephan Fuel

Exhibition of ceremonial dinner. The color of the peoples’s clothes are different based on their official rankings. PHOTO: Stephan Fue

We had a lunch at Saga Retrokan at 1:30pm. This event was planned and coordinated by Saga Members Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, Shinobu Uwataki, Yoko Taniguchi, Chieko Higashi, Yoko Nishimura, Yasuko Nishimura, Terumi Kuroda, Kahori Sano, and Naoko Tokushima.

(from left to right) Robert Roy, Yukinori Matsushita, Gene Savoy, Sabrina Savoy PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

(from left to right) Chieko Higashi, Ms. Kawasahi, Hichiyo Hukuyama, Yoko Nishimura, Miyuki Okayama PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We visited *SagaCastleHistoryMuseum with  a volunteer interpreter guide at 2:30pm.

This event was planned and coordinated by Saga Members Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, Shinobu Uwataki, Yoko Taniguchi, Chieko Higashi, Yoko Nishimura, Yasuko Nishimura, Terumi Kuroda, Kahori Sano, and Naoko Tokushima.

*Saga Castle History Museum is a reconstruction of the main keep (honmaru) of SagaCastle built in 1838, during the last years of the Edo Period. It is one of the largest wooden reconstructions in Japan. Over 700 rush mats (tatami) are laid in the building, providing ample space for a wide variety of exhibits including data, images, and models that depict Saga during the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji Restoration.

< Visit the Saga Castle History Museum  web site. >

Outside view of the Saga Castle History Museum PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Outside view of the Saga Castle History Museum PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Visiting group inside the Museum PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We visited the *Jofuku Long Life Center in Saga City at 4:30pm, and then the Kannon of the Well. This event  was planned and coordinated by Saga Members Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, Shinobu Uwataki, Yoko Taniguchi, Chieko Higashi, Yoko Nishimura, Yasuko Nishimura, Terumi Kuroda, Kahori Sano, and Naoko Tokushima.

Painting of Joguku PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

 

 *Jofuku, pronounced Xifu in Chinese, came to Japan during the Jomon Era in the 3rd century B.C. It is said that he landed near Shingu and brought with him much Chinese culture and technology.

 Jofuku was at the time serving as a Taoist shaman to the Emperor Shikoutei of the Xin Dynasty in China about 2200 years ago. He was ordered by the emperor to set out in order to “find the elixir of eternal life which is said to be on the mountain of Horai on the sea to the east.” He eventually arrived in Kumano and with him he brought about 3000 people, men, women, and children. Unfortunately for the emperor, he never returned to China.

Jofuku (known aa Xu Fu in Chinese) was a Taoist monk who sailed from China to Japan in search of the fabled elixir of immortality. He is said to be responsible for the spread of Chinese culture in Japan, including farming methods for irrigated paddy rice cultivation, and many different areas in Japan have local legends which claim Jofuku landed there. Saga, which is said to be the cradle of early mass rice cultivation in Japan, also boasts a great number of Jofuku legends—Jofuku is even enshrined as a god of the harvest at Saga’s Kinryu Shrine.

Outside view of the Center PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

The JofukuLongLifeCenter rests at the foot of Mt.Kinryu, and in addition to introducing the legends of Jofuku to visitors also serves to spread the latest developments in research on Jofuku and his voyages.

Painting of Deity of Mercy created by Kusaba Kazuhisa, using the same technique used to make Arita ware.

< Visit Kusaba Kazuhisa’s web site. > 

We had a casual Sunset Service meeting at MegalithPark at 6:00pm. This event was planned and coordinated by Saga Members Hiroko Soejima, Keiko Inoue, Shinobu Uwataki, Yoko Taniguchi, Chieko Higashi, Yoko Nishimura, Yasuko Nishimura, Terumi Kuroda, Kahori Sano, and Naoko Tokushima. 

Sunset at Megalith Park PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Gathering for sunset at Megalith Park PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

We all had dinner at Umenohana Tofu Restaurant at 7:00pm.

After dinner (front row, from left to right) Sabrina Savoy, Noriko and Joseph Roy, Yukinori Matsushita, Gene Savoy, Yoko Nishimura, Chieko Nakayama, Keiko Inoue. (back row, left to right) Shinobu Uwataki, Robert Roy, Stephan Fuellig, Michiyo Fukuyama, Miyuki Okayama, Kazuno Kawasaki PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Travel notes by Noriko Roy

< DAY 1 >

< DAY 3 >

5/23 Thursday

Gene Savoy arrived at FukuokaAirport. Some Japanese members were there to greet him.  

Gene Savoy and American guests and Yukinori Matsushita and some Japanese members visited Manners Sound Research Co. Office in Kurume.

 We all enjoyed early lunch at Shun, a health food restaurant in Kurume.

 

 

Lunch with Japanese members. (from left to right) Miyuki Okayama, Shinobu Uwataki, Keiko Inoue, Yukinori Matsushita, Gene Savoy, Sabrina Savoy, Robert Roy, Noriko Roy PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

 

Gene Savoy Jr. and other American guests checked in the Hotel Toyoko Inn Kurume.

Gene Savoy and American guests and some Japanese members visited the *Ishibashi Museum of Art in Kurume.

 *Ishibashi Museum of Art opened as the main institution of Ishibashi Cultural Center, which Ishibashi Shojiro, founder of Bridgestone Corporation, donated to his hometown, the city of Kurume, in 1956. Like the other facilities at the Center, it was initially managed by IshibashiCulturalCenter. From 1977, it has been administered by the Ishibashi Foundation together with Bridegestone Museum of Art in Kyobashi, Tokyo. The Asian Gallery opened in 1996. The Asian Gallery was built and donated to the city of Kurume by Shojiro’s eldest son, Kanichiro, so that the paintings, calligraphic works, and ceramics could be put on view and to further enrich the Center. Of the collection owned by the Ishibashi Foundation, Ishibashi Museum of Art takes care mainly of modern Japanese Western-style paintings, Japanese paintings and calligraphic works, and ceramics. Fundamentally, the Western-style paintings are housed in the MainBuilding and the Japanese paintings and calligraphic works and the ceramics are shown in the Asian Gallery. Thematic exhibitions mainly featuring works in our collection are organized three to four times a year and we do our best to provide chances for the visitors to enjoy art repeatedly from different viewpoints.

 

At IshibashiMuseum (from left to right) Sabrina Savoy, Gene Savoy, Keiko Inoue, Robert Roy, Shinobu Uwataki, Stephan Fuelling PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Japanese garden at Ishibashi Museum PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

 After the IshibashiMuseum, we visited Kora Taisha Shrine in Kurume.

Gate to the entrance (torii) of Kora Taisha Shrine PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Kora Thaisha Shrine PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling

Gene Savoy, American guests, Yukinori Matsushita and some Japanese members had dinner at the Japanese restaurant Maruman in Kurume.

Travel notes by Noriko Roy

< DAY 2 >

 Dear Community Member,

At the General Assembly of Cosolargy meeting on October 2 our technology and business consultants, Empower Consulting Group, introduced those in attendance to the idea of online learning as part of our new global community outreach plan, and at the 4th Annual Conference on the Spiritual State of the World held October 4-6 in Reno, University Chancellor Sean Savoy announced the upcoming launch of the pilot for the first online educational program: Project “X” Course on Ancient Solar Cultures–Level 1.

“This program is being planned to involve not only new methods of teaching Cosolargy and presenting our learning materials online but also new ways of reaching out to the world via the Community’s web sites. Global outreach and online learning will be a new focus as we take our Community further into the digital communication and information age,” said Sean Savoy.

“For The Community, reaching new levels of global outreach is paramount to our future success as an organization with a universal, global Teaching to impart. It is within our mandate to reach people, to take the news of the New Light with its inherent intelligence and information to greater numbers. Using the internet for Community services and programs as well as for our educational programs is quite a complex proposition—but an exciting one.

“We have much work to do as we convert our vast library of educational services and programs, including The Academy, Project ‘X’, and advanced sacred programs in Theology, Divinity and Liturgics.”

Since July, members of the Jamilian University staff have been on the path of creating a test program—our “Pilot Project”—to see how best to present some of the basic solar techniques and theory to new students of Cosolargy. Over the next few weeks, a test group will be introduced to”Week 1″ of the online program, based on Project “X” research into ancient Solar Cultures, specifically, the Solar Teachings of the Americas, and will give us their feedback on its design and function.

In the meantime, we would like to share with you a short presentation that is intended to provide background to the undertaking of the Pilot Project— to give you an understanding of the how and why online education will help us deliver and evolve the Teachings and the body of work of The Community and our founder, Gene Savoy Sr., for the global community. The presentation is delivered by one of our consultants from Empower Consulting Group, Carol Vickers.

< To watch the presentation, please follow this link. >

NOTE: You will be asked to download the presentation, which may take several minutes (depending upon your internet speed). Or you may save it to your Drop Box if you use that program and then watch it from there.

To view the presentation, you will need to have Power Point viewer on your computer. If you do not currently have Power Point, you may download the program by following this link.

(If you have any problems following these instructions, don’t ask me. Speak to a young family member or friend.)

Robert Petrovich

The 2013 Japan Seminar Tour was held May 25-26.

On May 25, we visited the Kinryu shrine.

Gene Savoy Jr. and daughter Sabrina entering Kinryu Shrine PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

Shrine interior showing Kobo Daishi (Kukai) and Benzaiten, the goddess of eloquence, music, and wisdom PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

Members of 2013 Japan tour group gather outside the shrine PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

After that, we admired dedication dancing by Mizuho Asano. 

Performance stage for traditional dancer Mizuho Asano PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

Members of 2013 Japan tour with dancer Mizuho Asano (second row center) PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

 Then Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. announced the publication of the Japanese version of the book Project “X”: The Search for the Secrets of Immortality, titled in Japanese Project Sun.

On May 26, we performed the ceremony of the Sunrise Service at the ancient solar site of Yaki-no-Touge.

Sunrise view at ancient solar site of Yaki-no-Touge PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

Officiants at sunrise service May 26, 2013 at Yaki-no-Touge PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

Later an Ordination service was performed at the headquarters of Cosolargy Institute in Japan for Akiko Takahashi and Junko Kodama.

Akiko Takahashi between Bishop Gene Savoy Jr and Bishop Yukimori Matsushita PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

Junko Kodama between Bishop Yukinori Matsushita and Bisho Gene Savoy Jr PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

The service was followed by a social gathering at the headquarters.

Sincerely,

Miyuki Okayama

Syotaro Hagihara, Yukinori Matsushita, and Syotaro’s mother Kuniko Hagihara PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

On April 6, 2013 we all celebrated the completion of the fifth class of Cosolargy students in Japan to complete the two-year course. The two members of this class were Kuniko Hagihara and her son Syotaro Hagihara.

Following the celebration, we held a social gathering in the seminar room.

Miyuki Okayama, Syotaro Hagihara, Yukinori Matsushita, and Kuniko Hagihara before the celebration PHOTO: Miyuki Okayama

Sincerely,

Miyuki Okayama

The 4th Annual “Spiritual State of the World” Conference is taking place on October 4-6, 2013 in Reno, Nevada. Conference events are taking place at various locations around the city over these three days.

“Awaken your Light! The world is transforming!”

Tell your friends and neighbors! Send them the flyer below as an email attachment. Or print it to make posters or handouts.

< Awaken Your Light 2013 Conference Flyer >

< Registration for the public is available online at Cosolargy.net. >

< Full details on the conference presentations, speakers, and partners is available online at spiritualstateoftheworld.org >

The 8th International Energy Medicine Exchange (EME) Webinar, titled “The Science of Healing with Sound and Light,” is scheduled to take place on September 28, 2013. The venue is Google+ Hangout.

Our own Gary Robert Buchanan, founder of Sonatherapy and longtime Cosolargy Consociate, has been scheduled to present during the conference. See the agenda above.

< Go to the 8th EME Webinar web site. >

< Print a copy of the agenda. >