REPORT CELEBRATION 30 YEARS SHINTO EUROPE
© 1981 JAPANESE DUTCH SHINZEN FOUNDATION
CELEBRATION 30 YEARS SHINTO IN EUROPE 2011 September 22nd, City Hall Amstelveen
The speech by Mr J van Zanen, Mayor of Amstelveen, revealed an interesting personal connection
with the origin of the Japanese Dutch Shinzen Foundation: exactly 30 years ago he had visited Japan
for the first time. In an invisible way things seem to have worked together, resulting in the
celebration of today. Beside this personal note he referred to the long lasting relation of Amstelveen
with Japanese companies and families who have found their location and residence
in this city.
Before him Prof Dr Harmen Beukers, chairman of the Foundation, has made a point to refer to
another not well-known connection of the City Hall with the roots of Japanese culture; more than 10
years the City Hall is hosting the Sakura Festival in the Cherry Blossom Park, which actually originates
in the tradition of shinto to celebrate the change of seasons.
The ceremony started with a performance by the Gagaku Trio, who played Hyojo no
Netori, followed by Etenraku. During the Gagaku music the shintomaster and miko-san
entered the ceremonial site. The main norito was a historical
summary of the cultural exchange between Japan and the
Netherlands and finished with an expression of gratitude for the
precious gift of shinto to the modern world. As a token of gratitude
and respect for nature the shintomaster and the chairman of
Japanese Dutch Shinzen Foundation dedicated a green sprig.
During this ritual the Gagaku trio performed Goshoraku.
For everybody in the audience this was the first time to hear a live performance of Gagaku. The
sound cannot be compared with anything else and if we listen to it unprepared, or not in the right setting, it might be
painful to the ears. However, everybody experienced a feeling of unexpected peace and calm by the combination of
gagaku and ceremony. It was a unique opportunity to sense the energy of universal shinto.
The ceremony was concluded by a
cheerful kanpai, led by Mr J van Zanen,
mayor of Amstelveen, Mr K Kato,
chairman of JCC, Prof H Beukers and
Prof W van Gulik, board of Japanese
Dutch Shinzen Foundation.
The congratulatory toast with
sake was dedicated to
everybody's health, the
prosperity of Amstelveen and to
the next cycle of 30 years for the
Japanese Dutch Shinzen
Foundation!
