Monthly Archives: October 2011

The spirituality of haiku

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Green Shinto

On Saturday I went to see a renku (linked verse) session, held at a subshrine of Kitano Tenmangu as an offering to the kami. This being Japan, and Shinto being Shinto, ritual was of the essence throughout. There was even … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 3 Comments

Proto-Shinto in Manyoshu Poems

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Green Shinto

The convivial discussion group I belong to meets monthly and discusses Japanese poetry in translation. Recently we’ve been looking at the eighth-century collection of poetry called Manyoshu, first of the great imperial anthologies.  There are 4516 poems in all, some … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Leave a comment

Getting into the spirit of rock

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Green Shinto

The island of Shiraishi in the Inland Sea is studded with rocks of so many sorts and sizes that you can’t help being ‘struck’ by them.  Small wonder it’s called White Rock Island, and that sacred rocks are numerous.  Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Rocks | 7 Comments

Shiraishi re-bound (Autumn Leaves)

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Green Shinto

I’m back from a brief visit to the wonderful island of Shiraishi.  I don’t know how many times I’ve been round the island, but I do know that each time I wander about I always find something new and intriguing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 2 Comments

Shiraishi bound (Spring Buds)

Posted on October 22, 2011 by John D.

In 2006 I spent four months on the island of Shiraishi in the Inland Sea and fell in love with it. I’ve often been back and I’m heading off there again tomorrow. Following my sojourn on the island, I wrote … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 3 Comments

Haiku and Shinto

Posted on October 22, 2011 by John D.

The haiku group I belong to published a small volume in 2007 entitled Seasons of the Gods on the theme of Shinto. It contained an afterword by Toji Kamata, who has described himself as a freelance Shinto priest. He’s written some great … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 3 Comments

The Cult of the Cute

Posted on October 20, 2011 by John D.

Cuteness is highly treasured in Japan.  ’Kawaii,’ is one of the country’s catch-phrases, along with gaman (endurance), gambatte (do your best) and shikata ga nai (it can’t be helped). You come across cuteness in daily life, on tv, and in … Continue reading →

Posted in Social values | 1 Comment

Shin-Buddhism in action

Posted on October 19, 2011 by John D.

Today I witnessed a fully fledged Shin-buddhist ritual.  It was carried out by priests of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism at a small shrine in the woods dedicated to the kami, Shichimen Daimyojin.  Fascinating! If, like me, you love the … Continue reading →

Posted in Kyoto shrines, Shrine visits, Syncretism | 1 Comment

Himukai Daijingu (The Kyoto Ise)

Posted on October 18, 2011 by John D.

Last weekend was the Kannamesai at Ise Jingu, often called its harvest festival.  It’s their major event of the year, and I thought about going but found everything was booked.  Then I heard that if you couldn’t visit Ise itself, … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, Kanto, Kyoto shrines, Shrine visits | Leave a comment

Matsuo Taisha (Kyoto)

Posted on October 17, 2011 by John D.

1) Origins Kyoto’s oldest shrine?  It’s been battling that out with Kamigamo Jinja for some time now. The Matsuo area was a stronghold of the Hata clan, the Kamigamo area that of the Kamo.  The two clans were settled in … Continue reading →

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Posted in Kyoto shrines, Shrine visits | 3 Comments