¡ 2003 September
20th Anniversary
of Japan China Friendship and Peace Agreement
On September 30, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director
of Konko Church of Izuo, attended on behalf of the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake,
Senior Chief Minister, at the 54th National Foundation Day of Peoples Republic
of China and 20th anniversary of Japan China Friendship and Peace Agreement.
 Rev. Miyake with Consulate General |
The new Consulate General to Osaka was introduced at the reception. The Most Ven. Seihan Mori, Chief Abbott of Kiyomizu Temple of Kita Hosso-shu, and Rev. Miyake who had kept cultural communication with China for long years, were invited as religious leaders among a lot of business leaders who expected a business chance in China.
 Ven. Mori talked about his memory of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake |
A lot of diplomats sent from various countries to this reception of gthe new powerh surrounded brilliantly Rev. Miyake who had deep friendship with them through cultural program such as annual Spring Sumo Tour.
Fieldwork in Taiwan
From 25 to 28 September, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of Konko
Church of Izuo, and 8 members of the International Association of Religious
Freedom (IARF) Japan Liaison Committee (JLC) visited Taiwan (Republic of
China) and carried out a fieldwork about the aboriginal people, visited governmental
institute, and communicated with Fo Kuang Shan, a new flourishing sect of
Buddhism.
 the party met the Most Ven. Hsin Ting of Fo Kuang Shan |
On 25, the party visited temples of traditional Buddhism and Taoism to learn multilayered religion of ordinary people. They also visited monument for Jiang Jieshi who had made the Taiwan what it is in present in Taipei, then flied to Gaoxiong.
On 26 morning, they visited Fo Kuang Shan to meet Most Ven. Hsin Ting and exchange opinions. They visited several institute of aboriginal people whose origin was very old and some of them had the same ancestor anthropologically and linguistically with people in Madagascar, another with New Zealand, and with Easter Island.
 commemorative photo with representation of each ethnic |
It was so irony but it was after Japanese annexation in 1895. Japan gdiscoveredh variety of aboriginal people in this island and dispatched scientists to study them. Japan offered free education as a part of the integration policy, these people who had not had character became to read and write in Japanese.
In present, they are preserved by Taiwan (ROC) government. JLC members visited regarding organization of Gaoxiong to exchange opinions, and communicated with aboriginal people.
 Rev. Miyake explained their porous of visiting |
On 27, they visited their village to communicate elderly people who spoke Japanese fluently. They explained philosophy of IARF and promised to keep communicating in the future.
 they exchanged opinions |
The 9th Memorial Service
for the Late Mrs. Tsune Miyake
On September 24, the 9th memorial service for the late
Mrs. Tsune Miyake was served by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated,
at Konko Church of Izuo. Mrs. Sugako Miyake, wife of the Senior Chief
Minister, and Miyake family as well as all the attendees offered a sacred
twig to the altar in the memory of the late Mrs. who had continued supporting
the former Chief Minister since the foundation of Izuo Church.
 Rev. Miyake offered a prayer |
Autumn Ancestors Grand
Service
On 23 September, the special ceremony was held in front
of the Prayers Pagoda in Konko Church of Izuo leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake,
Chief Minister's Designated, to lay the ashes of those who died in this
half year. A lot of left families attended the ceremony.
 Rev. M. Miyake offered a prayer |
Following the service, Autumn Ancestors Grand Service was served by Rev. Miyake. After several programs such as purification, prayer, opening the altar's door, offering the perishables, and carol, the ceremony master gave a prayer and offered the sacred twig to the altar. A chant for the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, and the ceremony master on behalf of each attendee offered a grand sacred twig to the ancestors' altar. At the end of the ceremony, the Rev. Mitsuo Miyake delivered a sermon.
Group to Protect Japan
Korea Friendship and Peace Monument
On September 18, annual board meeting of a group to
protect Japan Korea Friendship and Peace Monument was held at Shitenno-ji
Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan which established 593 AD
in Osaka.
 the board meeting |
The monument was constructed in the southernmost of Kyoto in order to console the soul of victims of Japanese colonial policy on Korean Punisher after long years negotiation with Japanese governmental organization. The group was established to preserve the spirit and the monument.
They were planning to invite about 200 visitors from Korea to the 20th anniversary service.
WCRP Board Meeting held
in Konko Church on Izuo
On September 18, the World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP) Japan Chapter
held the Executive Committee, Board and Council meetings at Konko Church of
Izuo, with 20 religious leadersf attendance including the Most Rev. Takeyasu
Miyamoto form Myochi-kai, and the Most Rev. Nichiko Niwano from Rissho Kosei-kai.
 the WCRP leaders |
The last board meeting held at Izuo Church in March 1999 was the last occasion that the late Rev. Toshio Miyake attended the WCRP meeting, so all the attendees talked their memory of the late reverend re-realizing his long and tremendous contribution for the WCRP.
 they had an excited discussion |
Following the Executive Committee (EC) meeting which decided the action plan of WCRP/Japan, they took lunch at a room beside Japanese garden where the former US President and Mrs. Jimmy Cater had had lunch in 1991. They naturally talked about activities of the Nobel laureate for peace prize who had deep relation with WCRP.
 they enjoyed lunch |
WCRP/Japan Board and Council meeting opened with the opening address delivered by the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, an EC member of WCRP and Senior Chief Minister of Izuo Church, and the practical matters discussed.
 the most reverend delivered an address@ |
One of the most important agenda was Aichi EXPO 2005; Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Ministerfs Designated, illustrated the presentation planned to deliver under the cooperation with International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). It was also announced that the Council member the Most Venerable Eiin Yasuda had been appointed the Chief Priest of Yakushi-ji Temple, the Patriarch of Hosso-shu Buddhism.
Fieldwork in Korea Damaged by the Typhoon
 ancient burial mound damaged by a typhoon |
September 15 to 17, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of Konko Church of Izuo, took part in a field work as a member of the institute of folk religion (Chair: Dr. Toshinao Yoneyama, President of Otemae College) in South Korea, Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongju.
 the party exchanged opinions with members of Ulsan University |
The typhoon 14 attached the area just tow days before, and about 100 people were killed or lost. It was the historical worst typhoon damage in Korea that the Asia biggest hover, Busan, was destroyed, agriculture was also seriously damaged. The party saw how the damage was serious before they visited Ulsan University and received worm welcome. The University has cutting edge facilities to educate a resource for the information technology society. They also saw a soccer field used by Brazilian national team when the last world cup had been held in 2002.
 Rev. Miyake visiting Bulguksa Temple |
On 15, they visited ruins of castle that was said to be constructed in 16th Century by Kato Kiyomasa, who was a feudal workload serving Tycoon Toyotomi Hideyosih, in the occasion of Japanese invasion to Korea, then several ancient burial mound. They learned these mounds and temples were seriously damaged by the typhoon #14.
 @Rev. Miyake and Prof. Yoneyama discussed with the Most Venerable Lee. |
On 16, they visited a village that preserved lifestyle of bureaucrat dedicated Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910), an ancient burial mound, the National Museum, and Bulguksa Temple, that is one of the greatest Buddhism temple in this area and is also registered World Heritage. They pays a courtesy call for the Most Venerable.Lee to exchange opinions. Rev. Miyake offered a donation for the typhoon damage. They also visited Seokgulam Temple which could be said the innermost sanctuary. At the end of the tour, they visited the pottery of celadon.
Special Service for
Elderly People
On September 14, Konko Church of Izuo held Special
Service for elderly people at the sacred hall with a lot of elderly
believersf (more than 70 years old) attendance. They were delighted
to shake hands with the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister,
wishing their health at the end of the service.
 the most reverend graduated elderly believers |
After the service, all the attendees enjoyed lunch prepared by the Women Association, listened songs sang by a girl guide, Japanese traditional dance, hula, and so on.
 they amused hula |
120th Memorial Anniversary of Koko Daijin
On September 10, a special service was held by Head of the Konko Household
which succeeded Konko Daijin to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Founder.
The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miayke, Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Izuo,
was invited for the ceremony at the Konkos in Konko town in Okayama Prefecture.
 the most reverend toasted with the Head of Konkos |
This ceremony was served as a series of ceremonies to commemorate the 120th year of Konko Daijin passing away; the Most Rev. Miyake offered a sacred twig to the altar as one of a few gdistinguished attendees.h
Volunteer Cleaning
On September 7, 35 believers visited Konko town in Okayama Prefecture from
Izuo Church in order to volunteer activity to clean up the area where the
cemetery for Izuo Church believers was located.
The party paid a visit for the Sacred Hall at the headquarters in advance, and then cleaned all of the 300 and more graves and prepared for the Izuo Churchfs event planning there on October 5 and 10 under the direction of Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of the Church.
Conducted WCRP
Tour to East Timor
World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP) Japan Chapter, Environment and
Development Committee sent an envoy led by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister
Designated of Konko Church of Izuo, as Chair of the Committee to East Timor.
They paid a courtesy call to Japanese Embassy, visited UN Peace Keeping Force,
and handed the fund to citizen of Suai to construct a sanitary donated by WCRP/Japan
Peace Development Fund and Izuo Church. They received great appreciation, and
then they attended the memorial mass at the church where the genocide had been
occurred and triggered the independence movement of East Timor.
 welcomed by those who are constructing sanitary |
On September 4, when the envoy arrived at the airport in Dili, capital of East Timor, via Bali Island of Indonesia, Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Asahi, Charge dfaffaires, welcomed 7 members of the party at the foot of the plane ramp. Considering the fact that tow terrorism incidents were occurred just in a month in Indonesia, they could not help expecting the worse would happen in East Timor that had just won independence from Indonesia.
At first, they paid a courtesy call to Japanese Embassy, and took a lecture by Ambassador Asahi, that there were 600 Japanese in East Timor at that time including 522 Self Defense Force (SDF) and 40 NGO members. Then SDF vehicle pick them up to PKF camp where SDF had taken part in the activity since the last year. Colonel Tanabe who was charged in the unit welcomed them and another soldier illustrated their activities there.
 a soldier illustrated their activity |
On September 5, Rev. Miyake and Ambassador Asahi traveled to Suai, the project site. Although East Timor is very small country, it took as much 7 and half hours because they had to go through mountainous, narrow, and rough roads. Rev. Miyake had had enough time to exchange opinions on Islam nations with Ambassador Asahi before they arrived Suai at 4:00PM.
Father Keizo Yamada who had contributed proselytization and humanitarian support since the last year was looking forward to their arriving. He had belonged WCRP/Japan Environment and Development Committee, and he had been professor at Sophia University, Tokyo, as well. He had decided to devote the rest of his life for mission in East Timor as Jesuit Father. He is one of very few Japanese who contribute to rural development there.
On September 6 1999, a tragedy made the small and unknown city, Suai, an international famous city. Hundreds people (Christian) were killed by militant association provoked by some of Indonesia National force who were against the declaration of Independence from Indonesia, that was the earnest desire for people in East Timor, declared as a result of national election.
 Rev. Miyake offered prayer at the church |
Several priests were also killed here Ave Maria Church to protect more than 200 Christians who ran into the church for shelter. Rev. Miyake attended the 4th memorial service for the martyrs on behalf of WCRP, and offered a speech and a prayer as a representative of world religious leader. Following the ceremony at the church, approx. 600 attendees including Rev. Miyake marched and prayed together in front of the memorial monument.
Rev. Miyake also visited small towns where Father Yamada carried on the project gestablish village by constructing sanitary.h He handed foundation to construct sanitary donated by WCRP/ Japan and Konko Church of Izuo, and received great appreciation.
 Rev. Miyake handed the found to Father Yamada |
Then the party paid a courtesy call to the headquarters of UN PKF West. Australian Colonel Bancroft and other commanders from various countries welcomed them. The force had contained 6 countries at the first, had been reducing its size, and was appreciated for their activities by local people. That is different point from the Iraqi situation where Japanese Government is considering dispatching SDF; before you cannot tell apart noncombat zone from war area, local people does not support the dispatching.
 the party visited UN PKF |
They had to have long travel again to come back to Japan.
The 4th Memorial
of the Late Rev. Toshio Miyake
On September 1, the 4th Memorial Service of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake was
held at Konko Church of Izuo, led by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated.
 had thanks giving ceremony at the same time |
Following the thanks giving service, the portrait of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake was displayed decorated by great amount of flowers offered by various celebrities including the Most Rev. Nichiko Niwano, President of Rissho Kosei-kai. Then the screen was rolled up after all the ceremony master and staffs had a seat, all the attendees found the altar covered dedicated perishables from sea and mountain.
 Rev. M. Miyake offered a prayer |
All the congregations chanted a prayer for the late reverend, then Rev. M. Miyake offered a prayer and a sacred twig to the altar as the ceremony master. Then the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, his family, and a representative of the attendees also offered a sacred twig to the altar.
 the most reverend delivered a sermon |
Following the Memorial Service, the Most Rev. T. Miyake delivered a sermon to enlighten believers that they could reply the late reverendfs belief by uniting toward the 120th anniversary of Konko Daijini. And then all the attendees offered a sacred twig in long line.
 he most reverend mad a speech in front of the tomb |
On September 2, they had ceremony in front of the Miyake family tomb in Wakayama Prefecture with family and earnest believersf attendance.