{"id":10266,"date":"2026-08-15T13:45:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T04:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=10266"},"modified":"2026-08-27T09:22:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T00:22:48","slug":"2026-childrens-pilgrimage-to-jiba-164669-return-during-the-eight-day-summer-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=10266","title":{"rendered":"2026 Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba: 164,669 Return during the Eight-Day Summer Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The 2026 Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba, sponsored by Church Headquarters, opened on July 27 and ended on August 3, drawing a total of 164,669 participants, about 5,000 more than last year\u2019s pilgrimage. Among them were 868 overseas pilgrims\u2014about 400 more than last year\u2014from 20 countries and regions such as the United States, Brazil, and South Korea. This significant increase occurred in the year of the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama. The children who returned to the Home of the Parent during the pilgrimage became familiar with the teachings, engaged in hinokishin<\/em>, and cultivated the mind \"\"of helping one another.<\/p>\n

The Boys and Girls Association Headquarters, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this milestone year, made special efforts to promote participation in the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba by highlighting one of the association\u2019s concrete goals \u201cLet\u2019s invite many children to the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the first day, the young pilgrims who returned to Jiba from around the world made their way to the Main Sanctuary under clear blue skies.<\/p>\n

At 8:30 A.M., the \u201cMorning Service,\u201d one of the educational and training activities, was conducted in the East, West, and North Worship Halls of the Main Sanctuary. After performing the service while feeling joy at having returned to Jiba, the children recited the \u201cthree promises\u201d for the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba and the Boys and Girls Association Pledge. Pledging to savor the joy of living, take good care of things, and help one another during the pilgrimage, they then sang the \u201cBoys and Girls Association Song\u201d together.<\/p>\n

Following this, seen off by the staff members, the participants proceeded to attractions and other activities around the Home of the Parent. Many enjoyed the attractions with their friends while others energetically engaged in corridor-cleaning hino\u00adkishin<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, congestion levels at each attraction venue were displayed on the \u201cChildren\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba Official Site.\u201d The limited-capacity events\u2014\u201cVariety Show 189\u201d and \u201cPikky\u2019s Stage\u201d\u2014were filled to capacity for every performance.<\/p>\n

Many children from overseas joined the Boys and Girls Hinokishin Corps, enthusiastically serving ice-cold tea to fellow participants. It is worth noting that approximately 300 people from Brazil returned to Jiba. The Brazil Fife and Drum Band demonstrated the results of their hard work and practice in unity of mind on the first day of the \u201cFife and Drum Bands on Parade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"As the western sky began to glow red, members of the fife and drum bands marched in a parade from the East Center Wing of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex to the area in front of the East Worship Hall. There, the \u201cFife and Drum Bands\u2019 Dedicatory Performance\u201d was held, featuring 22 groups totaling 329 members playing the pilgrimage\u2019s theme song, \u201cSparkling Children of the Path,\u201d in unison.<\/p>\n

After soaking up the atmosphere of the Home of the Parent in summer and participating in the evening service at the Main Sanctuary, the\"\"children enjoyed the illuminations along the South Approach as they returned to their respective followers dormitories.<\/p>\n

On the afternoon of July 28, the second day of the pilgrimage, the \u201c2026 Kumamoto Earthquake\u201d occurred. Children who had returned from across the world performed the seated service at the Main Sanctuary, offering prayers for the affected areas to recover as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

Throughout the pilgrimage, all attractions and activities were carried out smoothly, despite occasional unstable weather. With heatstroke alerts issued across Nara Prefecture on several days and temperatures consistently exceeding 35\u00b0C (95\u00b0F), group leaders and venue staff took proactive measures against heatstroke and kept a close watch on the children.<\/p>\n

On the evening of August 3, the final day of the pilgrimage, the final round of the \u201cFife and Drum Bands\u2019 Dedicatory Performance\u201d was held in front of the East Worship Hall. The members of the bands played the pilgrimage\u2019s theme song, \u201cSparkling Children of the Path,\u201d in unison, concluding the 2026 Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba.<\/p>\n

Shortly after the final performance ended, the \u201cGathering for Appreciation\u201d took place at the East Worship Hall of the Main Sanctuary before the evening service. This gathering brought together those involved including members of Church Headquarters\u2019 resident staff and event staff, as well as people who engaged in behind-the-scenes hinokishin<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Director-in-Chief of Religious Affairs Yoichiro Miyamori addressed the gathering, offering heartfelt thanks to all those who carried out hinokishin<\/em> activities during the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage.<\/p>\n

He also touched on the \u201c2026 Kuma\u00admoto Earthquake,\u201d highlighting both the churches that were unable to send pilgrims to Jiba and those that were able to make the pilgrimage. He then urged: \u201cI would like us to express our gratitude for having been safely guided throughout the pilgrimage and to pray that, next year, people from every part of the world may return to Jiba safely and with peace of mind. Furthermore, let us perform the service here today with a pledge to devote ourselves to engaging in hinokishin<\/em>, spreading the fragrance of the teachings, helping to save others, and performing the service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, everyone participated in the evening service at the Main Sanctuary.<\/p>\n

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The 2026 Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba, sponsored by Church Headquarters, opened on July 27 and ended on August 3, drawing a total of 164,669 participants, about 5,000 more than last year\u2019s pilgrimage. Among them were 868 overseas pilgrims\u2014about 400 more than last year\u2014from 20 countries and regions such as the\u2026<\/p>\n

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