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Connecting to Culture: Jichinsai Ceremonies Mark Groundbreakings in Japan

March 28, 2023
Tiffany Campion
As construction professionals, we have been to many groundbreaking ceremonies for various projects. These exciting events are typically attended by key project stakeholders, local dignitaries, A/E/C professionals, and media. Groundbreakings are an opportunity to get everyone together and often signal the “official start” to a project. In Japan, groundbreakings are a unique and sacred ritual called “Jichinsai” (Ji Chin Sai) performed by a Shinto priest. Japanese culture places great emphasis on holding these ceremonies, finding it an essential moment in the life of a project.

Jichinsai (地鎮祭) Ceremony

 width=The colorful Jichinsai ceremony holds great significance in Japan and is held before construction begins on a new building to pay respect to the land and kami (gods or spirits), to pray for safe and smooth construction, and for the future prosperity of the users of the new building. As with most Shinto rituals, the purpose is also to keep away evil spirits by purification, prayers, and offerings.

Four bamboo poles typically mark off the sacred space. There is a beautiful altar set for the kami to include offerings of land and sea, rice, and intricate paper strips. Donning traditional clothing, the Shinto priest begins the ceremony by calling down the kami and then begins the purification ritual. Water, sake, and salt or a combination thereof is used to cleanse the construction site. Following the purification ritual, there is a groundbreaking with traditional wooden tools and everyone present is offered sake before the kami are dismissed.

Gilbane Participates in Jinchinsai

 width=Last October, Gilbane representatives participated in a Jinchinsai for the groundbreaking of the new Kinnick High School at Yokota AB located in Yokusuka, Japan along with active-duty U.S. Navy and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) dignitaries. Dustin Notarianni, Project Executive, spoke during the ceremony expressing his thanks for the opportunity to work together on this important project to build a new high school on base that fosters creativity and collaboration. Click here to see photos from the ceremony. Gilbane representatives have participated in other Jinchinsai ceremonies, including events held for Kadena Elementary School (Okinawa) and the Kelly Slater Wave Pool.

About the Project – Kinnick High School Replacement

In July 2022, Gilbane was awarded a ¥16.7B (~$133M USD) contract to construct a new, four-story, 158,000 SF replacement Kinnick High School located at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), Japan. CFAY is the largest, strategically important U.S. Naval installation in the Western Pacific.

The new Kinnick High School will include community instructional spaces, staff collaboration spaces, commons area, performance space, an information center, physical education facilities, an art room, music room, science laboratories, career technical education laboratories, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) spaces, an administration suite, health suite, guidance counseling suite, special education suite, food service, a janitorial workroom, maintenance support spaces, school supply/storage areas, and a technology service center.

This is the largest project ever to be performed by Gilbane in Japan. The high school is currently estimated to be completed prior to fall of 2026.

 

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.



About Authors
Tiffany Campion is a Sales and Marketing Specialist supporting Gilbane’s Federal Programs. In this role, she works with Gilbane’s Federal business development team and operations team to develop winning proposals for our Federal clients. As a military spouse, Tiffany brings a unique understanding of the market to Gilbane projects and pursuits.
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