Genbu's Shrine

[Seiryuu]

In the northern ledge of the University Heights Bridge of the Bronx, Aquarions will discover a glass elevator that seals to descend deep into the Harlem River. Hidden at the bottom of the River is Genbu's Shrine, surrounded in a glass dome that offers a magnificent view of the surrounding waters.

The space is vast, with enough room for twenty clan members standing shoulder width apart. Torches line the circular dome, illuminating the statue of Genbu seated in the middle of the floor. A silver snake wraps around the bronze turtle, Genbu's head lifted regally. Past offerings rest at the turtle's front feet.

[Mateush Tein]

Mateush slowly, carefully, delicately wiped the bronze shell of the Genbu figure in the shrine. Not only was it his job, it had been his life for the last three years. He wasn’t forced to become a priest. He had the choice to accept Genbu’s blessing and become a priest or not. He wanted to become a priest of Genbu, and organize festivals in his name while still living a normal life, even if that normal life became harder. And making sure the Genbu shrine in New York was perfectly clean was just one of his many duties now that he was a priest.

Slowly backing away to inspect his work, he smoothed out the teal robe he wore. It was a dyed silk, with dark blue waves and different symbols meaning water, waves, Genbu, and such on it, forming a truly magnificent fabric. It was woven for him by his own mother, and personally given to him after his first year of being a priest. Ever since than he had worn it to every offering and prayer he made at the Genbu shrine, every festival and event, and whenever he was called for a council meeting. It was a mix of traditional worship on the modern world.

Mateush Tein slowly went back and grabbed a basket with a blanket over it. Slowly lifting the blanket and pulling out a smoked fish, he placed the basket down and wrapped the fish in the blanket, of which he dipped into a bowl of water beside the figure. Placing the fish in front of the figure of Genbu, where all offerings were placed, he muttered the same words he said for all of his offerings. “Please, holy and blessed Genbu, accept my offering as a symbol of thanks, worship, and most importantly, devotion. And may the sea waves sweep me away to be worthy of your blessing.”

Leaning down to sit in a cross legged position, he prayed to Genbu in a way that resembled meditation. It was Mateush’s preferred way to pray to Genbu, even if it appeared a bit strange. He practiced both yoga and martial arts, so he believed that a position of meditation connected mind, soul, and heart, providing connection to the higher world of elements, and the higher world where Genbu resided. Slowly standing after nearly 15 minutes of prayer, he bowed to the figure and slowly walked out of the room.