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120 Shikogakuen members offer prayers for WWII dead
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Posted on Jun 25 2005
Some 120 Shikogakuen mission members gathered at the Banzai Cliff’s Shikogakuen Peace Monument yesterday morning to honor all those who perished during World War II—two days ahead of the planned visit to the island of the Japanese imperial couple, who are also set to honor the war dead.
The event was attended by ranking local government officials led by Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who provided a brief congratulatory message to the group for its 19th annual peace ceremony.
Pacific Development Inc. president Yoichi Matsumura said the group arrived on the island last Friday and will leave tomorrow, Monday, heading back to Japan. He said the religious group conducts the ceremony every year.
Masatoshi Oishi, Shikogakuen Shizuoka Prefecture Kikukawagunsakikai, opened the memorial service, while Shikogakuen president Masakazu Kawakami led the offering of prayers.
Matsumura said that, each year, the pilgrims would offer bulks of papers brought in from Japan and bury them at the tomb behind at the altar. The papers, he said, are part of the offering and prayers for the souls of those who fought during the war.
Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Vicky Benavente, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, Japanese consul Takeo Saito, Office on Aging director Joseph Palacios, Rep. Benjamin Seman and other government and private sector officials attended the event. Some members of the man’amko also attended the prayer ceremony.
A brief dedication tea ceremony highlighted the event, with kimono-clad members preparing the special tea and offering it to the monument through Kawakami. Guests from Saipan who participated in the ceremony were given flowers that they offered to the souls of the dead.
Shikogakuen Mission is a religious organization that was established on Aug. 15, 1945. The group built the memorial monument on Saipan in October 1988 at Banzai Cliff.
