USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship.

Welcome to the Rabbit Shrine in Calgary

"The Little Shrine On the Prairie"

USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship.

Usagi Jinja!

One More Day!

丙午 Hinoe-Uma “The Fire Horse is upon us.”

This is the flame that illuminates the unseen and the sun at its zenith.

This next year is a year that can challenge us to stand tall and to cultivate our intention and to let purity of thought and purpose exude from our intention.

In these closing days of the 12th month of the year our thoughts are in releasing the old and setting openness for the new month and new year.

In these last few days of 2025 the TAKIAGESAI is a mechanical way of releasing the old and purifying the path to a knew.

焚き上げ Takiagé is litterally to raise by fire-element the sacred bonfire of purification. Which in turn the fire element transforms and releases used 授与品 Juyohin, sacred amulets.

Takiage-sai is a ritual of purification, completion, and gratitude. All old yearly amulets, talismans, honour plaques in home, and ritual items arrows pieces of paper with fortune description etc. Even old Yashiro of old documents and things of the last year that represent entrapment to the past year. By releasing the old we dedicate the existence of the old to protect and support us a-new with out holding us back. Naturally we are very grateful for the energy, love and support that the amulets intentions bestowed to us. Everything is born to an existence of entropy and will eventually perish following a lifespan. Amulets are no different in that they are intended to impart goodwill with in a working life-span. These periapts are not simply discarded as objects and should never be thrown in the trash bin. Instead these are respected, honoured and returned once they have fulfilled their role of protection and prayer. The return should be to the Shrine they were received from or to a Shrine locally as they will be dealt with most aptly.

Through sacred fire, their accumulated intention and Life Force are released and raised back to the realm of the kami.

The flame of the sacred bonfire does not destroy; it liberates, this energy, carrying gratitude upward and clearing away stagnation so that both the giver and receiver may enter the next cycle renewed. Takiage-sai affirms a central life truth: spiritual protection is living and cyclical, sustained through sincerity, thankfulness, and mindful actions.

By beginning the year with 歳旦祭 Saitan-sai (beginning new month new year prayers) and th 招福祈願祭 Shōfuku Kigansai (encouragement prayer blessing) we set the tone for a year of determination, insight, and auspicious transformation.

Blessings Kan’Nushi Jay

命 Inochi

December 1st is 師走一日 Shiwasu Tsuitachi, or the 1st day of the final month of 2025. December is an important month as it marks the end of the year and the beginning of another year of our lives. Another chapter in our lives, and another year of our lives chronologically. It is also a wonderful time to reflect the last year and let go of energies that have bound us in what ever way and conscientiously move towards the new phase with the open honest heart of letting go. Our seeking an open truthful heart is called Magokoro 真心.

As we move towards the 師走大祓式 Shiwasu Ōharahishiki, the Great Year-End Purification which is designated as December 30 and 31. This powerful time is a reminder of just how powerfully freeing a truthful heart is especially as we approach month end. It is also a reminder of allowing this transitional power to be ours more often as we weave it into each month of the year and the transformational significance that is “the letting go.”

As I’ve said: in these days of purification leading up too and including the penultimate and ultimate days of December, which mark the closing of the year, it is advised that we be honestly searching for letting go of those things that bind.

The ending of 2025 is a great time to be reflective and willing to "let go" of entrapping energies of the last year and reflect on what has brought us closer to the threshold of ourselves.

It is time to remind everyone to conscientiously use and return your katashiro to be purified by fire. 形代 katashiro are any sacred objects, cloth, paper, wood, or other objects that signify energies we no longer need and that no longer suit us.

Please take a moment when sorting through such objects to settle yourself and breathe deeply.

Then allow the katashiro to receive the residual cares, fatigues, impurities, and emotional burdens of 2025.

When we gather these together and return them to the infinite sea of potentialities in the year end Great Purification, we allow the old year’s heaviness to dissolve and create space for renewed 気 Ki- Life force and clear our space, our hearts, our minds of all-stagnate. The invitation to our selves for this shift truly allows our core essence to breathe.

If you are at distance and need to send things to the Shrine remember mail-delivery tends to be delayed at this time of year. I know how preoccupied by world events and holiday concerns we can all be at this time. Just take a few moments to let go of things and breathe into the new beginnings.

Please be sure to return your katashiro soon as they will be included in the ceremony of purification and renewal.

Happy Letting Go Jay Kan’nushi

兎神社では、季節毎に様々な行事を通して自然の神々に敬意を払い、感謝の気持ちを伝えています。ご参列され、御神徳とご加護を受けられますようご案内します。神々を「お祀り」して感謝と願いをするイベントだから「お祭り」と言います。感謝と祈願の神事があってこそ「お祭り」。そして、「お祭り」は、自然への畏敬と感謝を再確認する（思い出すきっかけ）という役割もあると言えます。　遙か昔から日本人が代々受け継いできた伝統文化・習慣が急速に失われつつある昨今。私達の世代で消滅させてしまうのか、次の世代に伝えていくかの選択の時期が来ているのではないでしょうか。自然の力に感謝し、次の世代に伝えるきっかけにしてくだ

竹神主

Natural Faith

Welcome to Usagi Jinja, your ultimate destination for exploring the power of spirituality through the Great Nature of Shinto. We believe that faith can be a transformative force in our lives. Shinto helps us find meaning, purpose, respect and peace with the strength of nature.

On this site, you'll find a wealth of information concerning life and the pursuit of Shinto as an attribute to our unfolding lives. The Spiritual Practices of Shinto are held in the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly sacred observances and preyers.

Join us on this amazing journey of self discovery and the power in the admonishing of Nature.

Kan'nushi Jay

地域社会での活動 Chi'iki shakai denokatsudo Community Outreach

Kan'nushi Jay is an accomplished public speaker. He has done many speaking engagements for schools, organizations, and in leadership conventions. He has been called to do this work all across Canada and in many parts of the world. If you would like to book him to speak for your organization or school please reach out and contact us.

Kan'nushi Jay Creasy

Jay “Také” Creasy is currently a Kan’nushi (Shinto priest) studying with

Ito Chihiro of Japan.
A Kan’nushi , also called shinshoku, is the person responsible for the maintenance of a Shinto shrine as well as for leading worship of a given kami. The characters for Kan’nushi are sometimes also read jinshu with the same meaning. Originally the Kan’nushi were intermediaries between kami and could transmit their will to all mankind.
Founded 25 years ago by Kan’nushi Jay Creasy, the Usagi Jinja shrine is one of the few true Japanese Shinto shrines outside of Japan, and the only Shinto shrine in Alberta.

Usagi Jinja (Rabbit Shrine) offers spiritual services as well as operates three yearly festivals. Please visit our writings section to learn more about Shinto.

The picture here depicts Kan'nushi Také with his teacher Gūji Ito Chihiro honoring Také for his continued shinto practice abroad.

USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship.

USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship.

O'ShoGatsu New Year Gathering Celebration and Prayer