Source: The Japan Times

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?appURL=nn20060209f2.html

On February 9, 2006 The Japan Times reported, "Dutch former actor Paul de Leeuw is recognized as the only Shinto master in Europe. Dutch Shinto priest Paul de Leeuw offers a prayer at the Dutch Yamakage Shinto Shrine in Amsterdam. An actor before becoming a Shinto priest, he now gives classes and lectures about meditation... His house, which includes the Dutch Yamakage Shinto Shrine, incorporates a 'kami-dana' household Shinto shrine and a 'shime-nawa' (sacred rope). It is also home to the Dutch Shinto Association. 'When I was approved as a Shinto priest by the Rev. Yamakage, I was told to apply Shinto to Dutch society,' de Leeuw said. 'So in that sense I decided to change the interior of the shrine a little bit from the interior I knew from Japan. As Holland has for ages been a maritime country, this is integrated here. Unlike shrines in Japan, the kami-dana is to be found at the north side. For Dutch seamen, the north was of vital importance as they navigated by the North Star. You can say that placing the kami-dana to the north is to honor the seamen.'"