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Jichinsai — The “Natural” Culture That Still Lives in Japan

 

When building a house in Japan, a ceremony called Jichinsai is often performed. A Shinto priest is invited to purify the land and pray for construction safety and the prosperity of the building.

 

To people outside Japan, this may look like a religious event. But in Japan, it’s a bit different. It’s not so much about belief—it’s simply one of the “natural steps” in the process.

 

What’s interesting is that even companies building state-of-the-art facilities still perform this ceremony. IT companies, data centers—it doesn’t matter. No matter how advanced things become, the idea of showing respect to the land does not change.

 

I believe this reflects the essence of Japan.

 

It’s not just about efficiency. It’s about respecting even what cannot be seen. Because risks can never be reduced to zero, you do everything you can. That’s the Japanese way.

 

I once worked in a computer room that housed an IBM mainframe. When problems kept occurring, a kamidana (Shinto altar) was placed in the room.

 

A Shinto altar right next to cutting-edge computers.

 

At first glance, it may seem irrational. But in Japan, this is accepted naturally.

 

To me, this is what makes Japan, Japan.

 

Jichinsai is the same.
It’s not just a ritual—it’s a reflection of a culture that believes in being prepared.