Tag Archives: Japan

Hachiman, divine protector of Japan & the Japanese People.

A colleague of mine recently gave a paper on Shintoism, which I will not reproduce in its entirety save to say that it has given me exactly the idea as to how, as a magician, to send magical help to the people of Japan. After all – who better to help the Japanese people than their own traditional Gods and Goddesses! Hence I present the following – which is dedicated specifically to Hachiman, who is Japan’s divine protector. Originally an agricultural deity, Hachiman became the Tutelary God of Warriors, although His worship spread through all the social castes so that really He is an all-round protector.

The following is based on the actual procedure employed when one visits a Shinto Shrine.

Access to the sacred space is preceded by a washing of the hands and a rinsing of the mouth,symbolic of purification of the body and of speech or thought.

The symbolic move from the mundane world into the sacred world is through a Torii or gate.

(Comment: This to be visualised.)

You then walk along a roadway, a path used by the spirits or kami.

The first act as you approach the shrine is to throw a coin into an offering container.

(Comment: You could visualise it … although you might choose to make your offering more actual than symbolic.)

You then bow deeply twice to show your respect to HACHIMAN, clap hands twice at chest level to gain His attention; then worship and ask for what you wish from the Him …

i.e. Safety for the Japanese people, comfort for those injured, worried or grieving, success for the emergency services and relief operations, safety also for other countries in the Pacific, etc

… and then bow deeply twice before retiring from the shrine.