by Alex Fujimoto
Hello my name is Alex Fujimoto I’m 15 years old and this year, I had the opportunity to participate in the International Hinokishin Corps in Tenri, Japan. It was my first time participating, and I stayed for one week. I was also surprised to find out that I was the youngest participant there at 15 years old. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the experience ended up being much more meaningful and enjoyable than I imagined.
Before going to Tenri, I expected the Hinokishin Corps to mostly be about working and helping with different tasks. During the week, I did many different kinds of work. One of the main activities was pulling grass(weeds). I also went to factories (warehouses) where we helped stack chairs. Another memorable activity was going to the Jyatani Yama mountain, where we helped put water guides in place so the rain water won't stream through the road. Even though some of the work was tiring, it felt good knowing that I was helping and working together with other people.
All hinokishin made me feel that we are all in one with the intentions of God the parent.
What surprised me the most was that the experience wasn’t just about working. After hinokishin, there were often gatherings, parties, and activities at night. These became some of my favorite memories from the entire week. I got to spend time with people outside of the work environment, which made it much easier to become friends with them.
One of the biggest things I took away from the experience was how many people I was able to meet from different countries. I didn’t expect to make so many friends, especially since everyone came from different backgrounds. I became especially close with some of the participants from Brazil. Talking with them allowed me to learn more about their country, culture, and everyday lives. It was interesting to realize that even though we came from different countries, we could still have fun together and become close friends and share our faith with each other.
Being the youngest participant also made the experience special for me. At first, I felt a little amazed that I was the youngest among everyone there. However, I never felt left out. Instead, people welcomed me, talked with me, and included me in the activities. That made me feel I am a part of the team and helped me enjoy the experience even more.
The most memorable part of the week was definitely the nights after hinokishin. Going to parties, gathering with everyone, and going out with the other participants created memories that I know I will remember for a long time. Those moments helped me realize that hinokishin wasn’t only about the work we were doing. It was also about meeting people, building friendships, and sharing experiences with people from around the world.
On the last day, I honestly felt emotional. I didn’t want the activities to end, and wished I could go back to the first day and experience everything again and continue doing hinokishin. I went into the International Hinokishin Corps expecting a week of work, but I came away with new friendships, new experiences, and memories that I will always remember. My first International Hinokishin Corps experience was not only fun, but it also showed me how people from different countries can come together, work together, become friends, and share our faith in Tenrikyo.
[See more photos of the International Hinokishin Corps in our photo gallery. ]