The Place of Peace
Furman University, 5 September 2008*
At Furman University, here in Greenville, South Carolina, one can find a structure that is unlike any other in our area. It is an inter-generational Japanese temple, built in 1984. Belonging to the Tsuzuki family in Japan, it was originally located on a piece of property that was slated to be sold, leaving the future of the temple in doubt. However, as it was never assigned a Buddhist priest to serve the local community, it was possible to move the structure for preservation purposes. In 2004, the Hei-Sei-Ji (hey-say-gee) temple was dismantled into 2400 pieces and brought the Panama Canal to Charleston. Reconstruction was begun in early 2008 by the Aichiken Construction Company, with completion in June. All the work was done by Japanese craftsmen, masters in their fields, who came from Japan for this precise purpose. With the completion of the project, this is the first authentic Japanese cultural artifact to be reconstructed in South Carolina. It is also the first complete Japanese temple to be moved to the United States. For pictures of the structure in various stages of completion, please go to one of the following links:
On Friday, September 5th, was the date of the Blessing and Formal Dedication. It was a very moving ceremony, which began with an introduction by Furman University president, Dr. David E Shi.
David Shi making the opening address.
Further introductions were made by Seiji Tsuzuki and his sister, Yuri Tsuzuki. They are the children of Chigusa and Kiyohiro Tsuzuki, the original owners. Seiji recounted his experiences as a boy, when he had the task of cleaning the leaves from the front of the temple.
Seiji and Yuri Tsuzuki.
Brief statements were also made by other people instrumental in the reconstruction. Below are pictures of the participants.
Satoshi Yamamoto, Director of Honmachi Taisyokan; and Masao Nakajima, President Aichiken Construction.
Hiroshi Sato, Construction Supervisor; and Consul Masahiro Katomoto, from the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta.
These statements revolved around the effort involved to bring the temple to Furman, as well as details of the temple itself. The wood is unique as it is resistant to mold and decay. Also, as was traditional with the Japanese craftsmen, and as true artists, they left their signatures hidden within the framework of the building.
Dr. David Shaner, with the assistance of Shi Yong Xiang, Jim Eubanks, Abbot, OPB St Louis, performed the formal blessing ceremony.
Dr. Shaner and the Abbot during the ceremony.
The blessing called on the elements of water, earth – in the form of salt, and air – in the form in incense and breath.
Dr. David Shaner – working with the water and the incense.
During the ceremony, clouds began to push up. Just as he performed the official blessing of the building, the sun, which was starting to set, broke through the clouds and shown into the temple entrance, giving it a soft golden glow.
After the traditional blessing was a Kagamiwari Ceremony. This was more light hearted, with David Shi, Masahiro Katomoto, Seiji Tsuzuki, and Masao Nakajima symbolically breaking the top of a sake barrel.
Kagamiwari Ceremony, and a barrel of sake.
At this point, small cedar boxes containing sake were passed out to those in attendance and a toast was made.
Cedar sake “cup” with date and the Tsuzuki family crest.
David Shi then reminded David Shaner that he needed to tell the story relating to the building’s location on the site. Traditionally, all Buddhist temples are situated so to face south, east, or south-east. When David Shaner first met with the Japanese contingent to review the site, he offered his suggestion for the building's placement. In his vision, the front of the building would be situated so to face the small waterfall located in the adjacent Asian Garden. However, it was noted that to do so, the temple would be facing north. The Japanese weren’t sure – this wasn’t traditional. To which Dr. Shaner pointed out that to face the temple toward the south would have it overlooking the art department car park. That was enough to convince the Japanese that the temple could face in the opposite direction. Apart from this difference, the temple is completely authentic.
After the dedication, a rainbow, captured below, was seen.
Rainbow seen after the blessing of the temple.
For more photos, associated with the building and with the ceremony, please go to one of the following links:
The Place of Peace – Building Features
* We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Dr. David Shaner for reviewing the information here and providing additional insight on the Temple and its history.