Wow.

[sareth]

Reverend Koichi Barrish is really a marvelous man. I called him to order an omamori as a home warming gift for a friend, I didn't even get half way through my name before he remembered who I was. He also remembered who I was ordering it for the moment I mentioned her name. This, in spite of the fact he has met me only once, and I don't believe

Comments

[irish_brigid]

Shinto priests are called reverend? I thought it was shinshoku or kannushi.

He sounds like a great guy, by the way. ^_^

[sareth]

You are correct. However, as the shrine is in the U.S. and specifically catering to American converts, many of whom don't speak Nihongo, he goes by "reverend" for convenience sake. And for some reason, every time I have spoken with him, "Kannushi" has managed to escape my brain completely. So I've gotten used to just calling him "Reverend."

He's a very nice man. I expect you'd like him. He made my children feel very comfortable and welcome even though they are VERY Christian, and find Shinto to be false.

[irish_brigid]

I probably would. Now if he could survive the barrage of questions I'm likely to ask, that's another question entirely. :P Just because I don't agree with a religion doesn't mean I don't want to know more about it.

[chiave_trust]

You can always find out more through the Shinto ML on Yahoo - it is somewhat sponsored by Tsubaki Jinja and Rev. Barrish does answer questions, as well as the other list members.

[chiave_trust]

'Reverend' is also the default American title for a clergy member, unless there is another recognized one with legal force (example, 'Father' in the Catholic traditions).