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Member Profiles
Chief Priest of the Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine
Akira Ueno
May 25, 1953 Akira Ueno is born in Wakayama Prefecture
1976 Graduates from the Department of Economics in the Kogakuin University Faculty of Economics
1977 Completes a non-degree course in the Kogakuin University Faculty of Shinto Studies
1978 Appointed to the position of Gonnegi (clerical worker) of Kashihara Shrine
1982 Appointed to the position of Negi (assistant to the chief priest) of Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine
1988 Appointed to the position of Gonguji (deputy chief priest) of Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine
2000 Appointed to the position of Guji (chief priest) of Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine
2003 Receives the Shingu City Cultural Achievement Award
President of the Conference of Kii Mountain Sacred Place
Chairman of the National Kumano Association
Councilor of the Jinja Honcho (administrative authority for shrines)
Councilor for Shrines Councilor of the Jingu Sukei-kai (Shrine Veneration Society)
Deputy Director of the Wakayama Prefecture Jinja-cho (local administrative authority for shrines)
Training Instructor for the Wakayama Prefecture Jinja-cho Training Institute
Representative for the Wakayama Prefectural Office of the Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership
Advisor for the Shingu City Tourist Association
Chairman of the Kumano Sanzan Council
Member of the Kokugakuin University and Kogakkan University Council
Member of the Wakayama Prefectural Museum Association
Managing Director for the Society for the Preservation of Wakayama Prefectural Cultural Property
Member of the Council for Wakayama Prefecture World Heritages of the Kumano Region
A prayer for Japan’s future
Nature is both a source of abundant life as well as a source of violent destruction. When ancient people saw the blessings and marvels of nature, they felt fear and reverence in response, and a sense of the gods’ presence was awakened in their hearts. Such primeval, natural landscape, capable of conveying an overwhelming sense of the gods, still remains in the Kumano, attracting worshipers to its noble and majestic holy sites.
It is my hope and intention that these sites, which embody a cultural landscape recognized by UNESCO as deserving of protection and as well as a faith which is timeless, will be preserved and passed on as a prayer for Japan’s future.
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