Deities and Buddhas Pray Together: An Ancient Japanese Form of Memorial Service. Perpetual Ritual 'Mitama Matsuri' Held at Osaka Memorial Park Kofunbo
At Osaka Memorial Park Kofunbo, the 'Mitama Matsuri,' an ancient Japanese perpetual memorial service fusing Shinto and Buddhism, was held. This unique form of memorial, rare nationwide, is based on the spirit of Shinbutsu-shūgō inherent in kofun burial mounds, aiming to eternally preserve the dignity of the deceased.
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Osaka Memorial Park Sales Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Daito City, Osaka; Representative Director: Koichi Higuchi; hereinafter 'the Company'), in collaboration with Kofun Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Tsuneyasu Takeda), held the spring perpetual ritual 'Mitama Matsuri' at the 'Osaka Memorial Park Kofunbo,' an ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound (kofun) style tree burial service that they plan and sell.
This event is an extremely rare perpetual memorial service nationwide, where Shinto priests perform rituals and temples offer memorial prayers simultaneously, based on Japan's unique spirit of 'Shinbutsu-shūgō' (the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism). On the occasion of this ritual, we report on the 'essence of prayer' that we advocate and its details.
## ■ The Unique 'Shinbutsu-shūgō' Achieved Only by Kofun Burial Mounds
Why can shrines and temples work together at our kofun burial mounds? It is because kofun are inherently ancient Japanese burial styles with a Shinto character.
This 'form,' which has continued since before the introduction of Buddhism, is the origin of Japanese prayer. While possessing the aspect of a Shinto sacred site, it also has the 'tolerance' to accept the Buddhist compassion that overlapped in later eras.
In general cemeteries and graveyards, it is extremely rare for Shinto priests and Buddhist monks to perform together due to religious barriers. However, only on the stage of the 'kofun burial mound,' an ancient Japanese burial style, can Shinto 'rituals (to appease spirits)' and Buddhist 'memorial services (to pray for the repose of souls)' naturally merge into one without contradiction. This is the perfect form of prayer unique to kofun burial mounds, which cannot be imitated by others.
## ■ Perpetual Ritual 'Mitama Matsuri': Calling Out Real Names to Eternally Protect Individual Dignity
At this kofun burial mound, the 'Mitama Matsuri' is held twice a year (on the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes). It is not merely a joint memorial service but continues the following strict rituals perpetually.
**1. The Completion of Prayer through Both Shinto and Buddhist Forms**
During the ritual, chanting is performed by the chief priest of Daikozan Fudoin Temple, followed by Shinto priests offering prayers (norito) to appease the spirits. The solemn sight of experts from both Shinto and Buddhism praying together has earned deep trust from our clients, who describe it as 'the most thorough memorial service possible.'
**2. 'Shikinen-sai': Names Continue to Be Called for 100 Years and Beyond**
Perpetual memorial service at a kofun burial mound is not 'just about interment and done.' At the milestone Shikinen-sai (1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 years after death, and every 100 years thereafter), the real name of each deceased person is carefully read aloud.
This ritual will continue for 100 years and even beyond to future generations.
Individual dignity is protected perpetually, and names continue to be called without being forgotten by society. This system provides the greatest peace of mind in an era where people do not want to burden the next generation.
This event is an extremely rare perpetual memorial service nationwide, where Shinto priests perform rituals and temples offer memorial prayers simultaneously, based on Japan's unique spirit of 'Shinbutsu-shūgō' (the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism). On the occasion of this ritual, we report on the 'essence of prayer' that we advocate and its details.
## ■ The Unique 'Shinbutsu-shūgō' Achieved Only by Kofun Burial Mounds
Why can shrines and temples work together at our kofun burial mounds? It is because kofun are inherently ancient Japanese burial styles with a Shinto character.
This 'form,' which has continued since before the introduction of Buddhism, is the origin of Japanese prayer. While possessing the aspect of a Shinto sacred site, it also has the 'tolerance' to accept the Buddhist compassion that overlapped in later eras.
In general cemeteries and graveyards, it is extremely rare for Shinto priests and Buddhist monks to perform together due to religious barriers. However, only on the stage of the 'kofun burial mound,' an ancient Japanese burial style, can Shinto 'rituals (to appease spirits)' and Buddhist 'memorial services (to pray for the repose of souls)' naturally merge into one without contradiction. This is the perfect form of prayer unique to kofun burial mounds, which cannot be imitated by others.
## ■ Perpetual Ritual 'Mitama Matsuri': Calling Out Real Names to Eternally Protect Individual Dignity
At this kofun burial mound, the 'Mitama Matsuri' is held twice a year (on the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes). It is not merely a joint memorial service but continues the following strict rituals perpetually.
**1. The Completion of Prayer through Both Shinto and Buddhist Forms**
During the ritual, chanting is performed by the chief priest of Daikozan Fudoin Temple, followed by Shinto priests offering prayers (norito) to appease the spirits. The solemn sight of experts from both Shinto and Buddhism praying together has earned deep trust from our clients, who describe it as 'the most thorough memorial service possible.'
**2. 'Shikinen-sai': Names Continue to Be Called for 100 Years and Beyond**
Perpetual memorial service at a kofun burial mound is not 'just about interment and done.' At the milestone Shikinen-sai (1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 years after death, and every 100 years thereafter), the real name of each deceased person is carefully read aloud.
This ritual will continue for 100 years and even beyond to future generations.
Individual dignity is protected perpetually, and names continue to be called without being forgotten by society. This system provides the greatest peace of mind in an era where people do not want to burden the next generation.