From May 3 to May 10, many people from the U.S.A., Europe, The Philippines, Turkey, Australia, and Brazil, participated in the International Grand Sampai1 of 2006 and toured Misono and Kishima Island, two of Shumei’s most sacred places. They also visited the Miho Museum, the Kominka (traditional Japanese farmhouses) on the grounds of a Natural Agriculture site near Misono and the Miho Museum, and were given the opportunity to learn more about Jyorei, the arts, and Natural agricultural, which are Shumei’s three major activities. Participants also were given the opportunity to encounter Japanese traditional culture by visiting the ancient cities of Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima. Many of them had a first hand experience of Japanese hospitality by staying with Shumei families.
For Vilma Watanabe, a member of Shumei Brazil, this was her first trip to Japan. She participated in the Ancestors Sampai in Misono where she dedicated her special prayers to her father who passed away this last March.
