Open to the World

Facing out into the vast Pacific Ocean, Kumano has a reputation of being open to the world. The Black Current flowing past its shores is said to have brought Kumano much from the outside world including Ragyo Shonin (the Naked Saint) from India who is reputed to have begun the tradition of worshipping the deity of the Nachi Waterfall. Polynesian verses in local festival songs are also evidence of the long history of Kumano being open to the world. This relationship with the world by way of the sea is said to have given rise to the TOKOYO-SHINKO (the belief in the existence of a 'Land of Immortality' across the sea). Even in modern times there are people from all over the world coming to visit the Kumano area in order to touch the spirit of ancient Japan. About 400 people from several different countries come to practice at the Kumano Aikido Dojo each year. In the photo below, Wayne John Nash, is shown here instructing Still and Moving meditations in the Chinese Qigong tradition. He has lived in the Kumano region since 1987. Presently he gives private treatments, counselling, and group instruction in the internal arts of Qigong, Tai Chi, and AcuSomatics. He often feels he may have passed a previous life in the region and feels a deep connection to the place and the people. He sees Kumano as an important and overlooked centre of Japanese traditional culture, a place of healing, and an ideal environment in which to reflect on the meaning of life and death. He highly recommends that anyone wishing to experience something of the indigenous Japanese Shinto culture visit Kumano.