心在宮内（こころみやのうちにあり）
(Heart Within the Sanctuary)

平成25年1月号掲載
(Published in the January 2013 issue)

謹賀新年
　立教２００年をいよいよ来年に迎える本教にとりまして、今年は、有り難くも皆様と共に微力を捧（ささ）げてまいりました伊勢神宮の第６２回式年遷宮の年となりました。今秋１０月に斎行されます式年遷宮の本祭典を前に、８月３日、「お白石（しらいし）」を、まばゆいばかりの御正宮（ごしょうぐう）の新宮（にいみや）の御敷地に敷き詰める「お白石持（おしらいしもち）行事」に皆様と共に参拝奉仕させていただきます。

New Year’s Greetings
As Kurozumikyō approaches its 200th anniversary next year, this year has been a most grateful one, for together with you we have offered our service to the 62nd Shikinen Sengū of Ise Jingu 伊勢神宮式年遷宮. Before the main festival to be held this October, on August 3 we will join in the Oshiraishi-mochi ceremony お白石持行事, spreading the pure white stones upon the sacred ground of the radiant new sanctuary of the Main Shrine.

　江戸時代の、教祖神ご自身の６回にもわたるご参宮をはじめとして有形無形にご神縁をいただいてきたお伊勢様ですが、式年遷宮に深くご神縁を賜るようになったのは前回の式年遷宮からでした。昭和６１年、御用材の御神木を運ぶお木曳（きひき）行事に初めて参拝奉仕の機会を得、私自身は母に象徴される多くの先輩方と共に、翌６２年も奉仕の汗を有り難く楽しみました。今回のお木曳行事奉仕は平成１８年５月と１９年６月に奉仕の場を頂戴し、とりわけ２回目の１９年は各県各団体のいわゆる“大取り”をつとめる光栄にも浴し、この時は孫たちに象徴される若い人々との奉仕となり、一層有意義なものとなりました。

From the Edo period, when the Divine Founder himself made six pilgrimages to Ise Jingu, we have continually received both tangible and intangible bonds with Ise Jingu. Yet it was only from the previous Shikinen Sengū that we came to be deeply connected with the ceremony itself.
In 1986, we were first granted the opportunity to serve in the Okihiki procession お木曳行事, carrying the sacred timber for the shrine buildings. I myself, together with many seniors symbolized by my mother, gratefully shared in the sweat of service again in 1987.
For the present Sengū, we were given the chance to serve in May 2006 and June 2007. Especially in the second year, we were honored to take the role of the grand finale among the prefectures and groups. That time, with younger generations symbolized by my grandchildren, the service became all the more meaningful.

　２０年前のお白石持行事奉仕も千名の枠（わく）をもらって、用意された「お白石」を一人ひとりが、まるで宝物を持つようにして内宮（ないくう）奥深く御正宮の足元に祈りを込めて置き鎮めました。今回は顔ぶれは大きく変わるでしょうが、先輩方にならって皆様方おつとめ下さることと楽しみにしています。

Twenty years ago, in serving at the Oshiraishi-mochi ceremony, we were given a place for one thousand participants. Each person carried the prepared oshiraishi (white stones) as if they were treasures, placing them with prayer at the foot of the Main Sanctuary deep within Naikū (the Inner Shrine). This time the faces will be quite different, but I look forward to seeing everyone follow the example of our seniors in fulfilling this service.

　それにしましても、式年遷宮で私たちが忘れ難いのは、前々回すなわち第６０回のご遷宮で古殿となった御正宮の御神木を大量に拝戴して、折から建築中の神道山・大教殿の御神殿ご造営に使わせていただけたことです。

What we cannot forget about the Shikinen Sengū is that in the 60th ceremony, two cycles ago, we were granted a large amount of sacred timber from the old Main Sanctuary. At that very time, it was used in the construction of Daikyōden 大教殿 (the Main Shrine) at Shintōzan 神道山, for the building of its sanctuary.

　実は、昭和４８年５月１３日に昇天された父五代教主の跡を継いで、その年、私は教団の掟（おきて）定めるところにより六代教主に就任いたしました。翌昭和４９年の秋、１０月２７日は、かねて取り進められていました神道山・大教殿が竣工なって霊地大元からのご遷座祭が執り行われる日と決まっていました。

On May 13, 1973 (Shōwa 48), my father, the Fifth Chief Patriarch, passed away. In accordance with the rules of our organization, I succeeded him that same year as the Sixth Chief Patriarch. The following autumn, on October 27, 1974 (Shōwa 49), it was decided that the dedication ceremony would be held for the newly completed Daikyōden at Shintōzan, with the sacred transfer from Ōmoto.

　この年の春、３月１２日、私は教主就任奉告のために参宮し、お迎え下さった櫻井勝之進神宮総務部長（当時）のご案内のもと大御前に額(ぬか)ずきました。そして、教主就任祝いの席を持って下さった場で、まず御礼言上(ごんじょう）いたしますとともに、前年の昭和４８年１０月に第６０回式年遷宮が終わって古殿となった内宮の古材を、表札（ひょうさつ）板一枚の大きさでもよいから下賜されたい、建築中の新大教殿の御神殿御内陣に使わせていただきたい旨（むね）お願い申し上げました。

That spring, on March 12, I made a pilgrimage to Ise Jingu to report my succession. Guided by Rev. Sakurai Katsunosuke, then Director of the General Affairs Department of Ise Jingu, I bowed before the Great Sanctuary. At the celebratory gathering held for my succession, after offering thanks, I respectfully requested that some of the old timber from Naikū—made available after the 60th Shikinen Sengū in October 1973 (Shōwa 48)—be granted to us, even if only a single plaque‑sized board, so that it might be used in the inner sanctuary of the new Daikyōden then under construction.

　式年遷宮で古殿となった御社（おやしろ）の建築材は、程なく解（と）かれて全国の神社の新築や改築に使われるのが常で、極端に申しますと“つまようじ”一本ほどの小さな木片に至るまで無駄にせず生かして使われるということを聞いていました。しかも、各地の神社の方々が御神木の拝戴をお待ちになっていることも承知の上で、教祖神以来のお伊勢様とのご神縁に甘えてご無理申し上げたことでした。

In the Shikinen Sengū, the timber from the old shrine is soon dismantled and used for the construction or renovation of shrines throughout Japan. I had heard that nothing is wasted—not even a splinter as small as a toothpick. Knowing also that shrines across the country were waiting to receive this sacred wood, I still dared to make my request, relying on the divine bond with Ise that has existed since the Founder.

　櫻井部長からは、承知した、会議で諮（はか）って連絡する、とのお言葉でした。それからの一日いちにちは、大教殿建築中の工事関係者からの期待と相俟（あいま）って、まさに一日千秋の思いでお返事を待ちました。１カ月過ぎて２カ月目の５月の初め、かかってきた櫻井部長のお電話は、できるだけ大きいトラックでもって来るようにとのことでした。天に昇る思いとはこのことで、青年教師たちが折から新車を購入したばかりの青年連盟員のトラック提供を得て、勇躍して伊勢に向かいました。

Director Sakurai told me he understood and would consult the council and inform me. Each day thereafter, with the expectations of those involved in Daikyōden’s construction, I waited with a longing that felt like a thousand autumns. Then, at the beginning of May, two months later, Director Sakurai telephoned: we should bring the largest truck possible. Truly, this was the feeling of ascending to heaven. With great joy, the young teachers secured the newly purchased truck of a Youth League member and set out for Ise.

　帰ってきたトラックの荷台に山積みされた古材の中に、白布に包まれたひときわ大きな角材がありました。それは、内宮御正宮の御内陣で棟を支えていた梲（うだつ）のひとつで、巾（はば）一尺六寸（約50センチ）長さ七尺（約２メートル）の無節（むぶし）の檜（ひのき）の角材でした。今切り出したかのような白い肌と薫りが今も忘れられません。

Among the old timbers piled high on the returning truck bed was one especially large beam wrapped in white cloth. It was one of the udatsu (ridge beam support) that had supported the ridge within the Main Shrine of Naikū—an unknotted cypress beam, about 50 centimeters wide and 2 meters long. I will never forget its fresh white surface and fragrance, as if newly cut.

　おかげで、大教殿の御神殿部分はほとんど賜った御神木で設（しつら）えることができ、特にこの角材は分厚い板状に切って御神殿の御扉（みとびら）となり、現在も、毎朝の御日拝後に昇殿してまずこの御扉を開くことから御神前のおつとめを重ねさせていただいていることです。

Thanks to this gift, almost the entire sanctuary section of Daikyōden could be furnished with sacred timber. In particular, this beam was cut into thick boards to form the doors of the sanctuary. Even now, each morning after the daily worship of the sun, we ascend and begin our service before the divine presence by opening these very doors.

　なお、この櫻井勝之進先生は、昭和５１年１０月、神道山ご遷座２周年の記念祝祭にお参りになり、満場の皆様の前に感動に満ちたご挨拶（あいさつ）を賜りました。しかも、この日に数えて１５歳の立志式をつとめた長男宗道（現副教主）に熱い激励の言葉を頂戴いたしました。櫻井先生はその後、神社本庁総長もおつとめになるなど神社界の重鎮としてあられました。御神木によって生まれた本教とのまさにご神縁を大切にされ、平成１６年の教祖大祭に斎行してもらった孫の八代宗芳の立志式の時も祝歌を詠んで贈って下さり、宗道宗芳親子二代にわたってその「立志」をお祝いいただきました。先生は、１００歳近いご長寿を全うされましたが、私たちの毎年の参宮に際して度々お迎え下さるなどご生涯の最後まで本教に熱い御心をお寄せ下さいました。

In October 1976 (Shōwa 51), at the second anniversary festival of the transfer to Shintōzan, Rev. Sakurai Katsunoshin honored us with his presence and delivered a deeply moving address before the entire assembly. On that same day, my eldest son, Munemichi (now Vice Chief Patriarch), performed his coming-of-age ceremony at age fifteen, and Professor Sakurai gave him words of warm encouragement.
Later, Rev. Sakurai served as Secretary General of Jinja Honcho 神社本庁 (the Association of Shint? Shrines), becoming a leading figure in the Shint? world. He cherished the divine bond with our faith born through the sacred timber, and at the Grand Festival of the Divine Founder’s Ascension in 2004, when my grandson Muneyoshi performed his coming-of-age ceremony, he composed and presented a celebratory poem. Thus, he honored two generations—Munemichi and Muneyoshi—in their “rites of resolve.”
Rev. Sakurai lived nearly a full century, and until the very end of his life he continued to show heartfelt care to Kurozumikyō, often welcoming us during our annual pilgrimages to Ise.

　一昨年の新春恒例の参宮の折、いつもお迎え下さっていた神宮幹部の方が定年ということで、バトンタッチするような形で若い神職の方をご紹介下さいました。かつての櫻井先生を彷彿（ほうふつ）させるような品のある学識の高い方とお見受けしましたが、この方が開口一番、言われるのに、かつて明治天皇のご信頼厚く神道の事はこの人に聞けとまで陛下から言われていた方の著書に、「黒住教の宗忠教祖は伊勢の杜（もり）にお鎮まりになっている」との一条があるとのことでした。内宮参拝を終えてまだ緑深い伊勢の杜の中でのこの一言に、私は胸熱くなりながら教祖神の次の御神詠をお伝えしました。

During our customary New Year’s pilgrimage two years ago, one of the senior officials of Ise Jingu who had always welcomed us was retiring, and in a kind of handover he introduced a younger priest. I perceived him to be a man of refinement and deep learning, reminiscent of Rev. Sakurai. His very first words were to tell me that in the writings of a man once so trusted by Emperor Meiji that His Majesty said, “Ask him about Shint?,” there is a passage stating: “The Founder Munetada of Kurozumikyō abides within the sacred forest of Ise.”
After completing worship at Naik?, hearing this remark in the still-green depths of Ise’s forest moved me profoundly. I then shared the following divine poem of the Divine Founder:

神風や伊勢とこことはへだつれど心は宮の内にこそ在れ

Though Ise where the vine wind blows and here are far apart,
The heart abides within the sanctuary of Ise Jingu.

若き伊勢の神職と心通い合った一瞬でした。同時に

　心在宮内

の四文字が頭の中を駆け巡りました。
　備前の中野（現在の岡山の大元）にあられて、お伊勢様に対する俗に言えば恋焦がれるような教祖神の御心が再び三度蘇（よみがえ）ってまいりました。ひたすら天照大御神の御開運を祈り奉るの祈りのために、江戸時代、ご生涯六度もの参宮をつとめられた教祖神の御心です。
　実に「伊勢の杜にお鎮まりになっている」は、大きな感動の一言でした。

It was a fleeting moment of heartfelt communion with the young priest of Ise. At the same time, the four characters 心在宮内 kokoro miya no uchi ni ari (“Heart Within the Sanctuary”) raced through my mind.
In Nakano of Bizen (today’s Ōmoto in Okayama), the Divine Founder’s heart—burning with what might be called a yearning love for Ise?came alive once more. It was the very heart that, in the Edo period, led him to make six pilgrimages to Ise, praying solely for the prosperity of Amaterasu Ōmikami.
Indeed, the words “abides within the sacred forest of Ise” were profoundly moving.