Emperor Jimmu: The Wind of Beginnings, the Light that Illuminates the Country

Emperor Jimmu: The Wind of Beginnings, the Light that Illuminates the Nation

Far away in time, between myth and history, there was a young king.
His name was Kamuyamato Iwarehiko.
This man, who would later become known as "Emperor Jimmu," was a descendant of Amaterasu Omikami and was tasked with standing between heaven and earth and leading the country.

His journey began in the west, in the land of Takachiho.
They crossed misty mountains, crossed rivers, and overcame many difficulties as they headed east.
The journey was not just one of conquest.
It was like a prayerful pilgrimage to seek harmony between heaven and earth and to reflect the will of the gods on earth.

Eventually, he arrives in Kashihara.
It was a place where mountains and water lived in harmony, the wind blew gently through, and it felt as if the gods were smiling upon it.
When he stood on this land, Kamu Yamato Iwarehiko became the first emperor, Emperor Jimmu, as one who "knew the country" - that is, one who nurtured the country together with the people and passed it on to the future.

The name "Jinmu" contains the meaning of "divine bravery."
However, this "martial arts" does not refer to the sharpness of the sword or the display of strength.
It is as gentle as the wind, as quiet as the rain, and as warm as the light.
It was a symbol of inner strength that united people's hearts, calmed conflicts, and illuminated the path to living together.

During his journey, Emperor Jimmu was guided by the Yatagarasu.
The three-legged divine bird, conveying the will of heaven, illuminated the path he should take.
Jimmu walked in harmony with nature, praying to the mountain gods, conversing with the sea gods, and listening carefully to the voice of the earth.
Its appearance embodied the ideal of "Yawaragi," where nature and people live together in harmony.

"Let's create a nation where people from all over the country live under one roof like a family."

These words are the ideals that Emperor Jimmu included in his founding edict, and they still live deep in the hearts of the Japanese people today.
This is the core of the Japanese spirit, which transcends blood ties and values ​​living together and caring for one another.

The reign of Emperor Jimmu is shrouded in the mist of myth.
However, the fact that this story has been passed down is itself an important "memory" and "prayer" for us.
Beyond historical facts, the existence of Emperor Jimmu asks us questions such as "What is a beginning?", "What is a country?", and "What does it mean to live together?"

Standing at Kashihara Shrine in Nara, the wind quietly speaks to you.
"This is where it all began, but it's not the end."
The wind caresses our cheeks, tracing the path of Emperor Jimmu's journey.
The mountains he would have seen, the sky he would have prayed to, the murmuring of the river he would have listened to.
They remain unchanged to this day, spreading out beneath our feet.

The story of Emperor Jimmu is not something of the past.
It continues to exist within us today.
The heart that cares for others in daily life.
An attitude of avoiding conflict and respecting harmony.
The feeling of living with nature.
All of these are proof that we have inherited the "wind of origin" of Emperor Jimmu.

A beautiful country is not just a country with beautiful scenery.
It is a country that harbors the seeds of harmony deep in its heart.
A country where people resonate with each other, resonate with nature, and connect prayers to the future.
The seeds sown by Emperor Jimmu have continued to sprout quietly to this day, transcending time.

We are the ones who nurture these seeds and pass them on to the next generation.
Knowing the story of Emperor Jimmu is not just about learning history.
It also means looking back at one's own "beginnings" and illuminating the "path" ahead.

The place where we stand now may also be a new "place of beginning."
Every time the wind blows, I can hear the voice of Jinmu.
"Let's make our country known through harmony"
We continue to move forward today, listening carefully to that voice.