Monthly Archives: November 2011

Suwa Taisha in wonderful Nagano

Posted on November 29, 2011 by John D.

  Nagano in the middle of Japan is fast becoming one of my favourite places. With its mountain scenery, unspoilt landscapes and ancient traditions, what’s not to like? You’ve got to fall for a place where flautists play music for … Continue reading →

Posted in Nagano, Shrine visits | Leave a comment

Yaegaki Shrine and fertility symbols

Posted on November 26, 2011 by John D.

Entrance to Yaegaki Shrine with characteristic Izumo-style rice rope Japan is a land of pilgrimages, and wherever you go there’s some kind of ‘course’ to follow.  In former times this would have involved walking; nowadays it’s done for the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Fertility, Izumo, Shrine visits | 1 Comment

Shinzo (Shinto statues)

Posted on November 24, 2011 by John D.

  Last week I went to an exhibition of kami statues at Otsu History Museum.  The statues came from Shiga prefecture – ‘land of gods and buddhas’ –  together with mandala and photographs of Hiyoshi Shrine’s Sanno festival.  There were … Continue reading →

Posted in Shrine items, Syncretism | 1 Comment

The Tao of Green

Posted on November 22, 2011 by John D.

This extract is taken from an article by William Horden in The Huffington Post last Friday (Nov 18): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-horden/the-tao-of-green-part-2_b_1070108.html?ref=religion  ************************************************************************************************************************************** The inevitable fully green society is not simply waiting for the reformation of social institutions that have vested interest in … Continue reading →

Posted in Green issues | Leave a comment

Caitlin Stronell: Shinto priest

Posted on November 20, 2011 by John D.

1) Previously we had an interview with your friend, Pat Ormsby.  I believe you also trained at Asakawa Konpira, as well as doing the residential course at Kotohira.  How did you find it? I loved it. From the basic routine … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Interviews | Leave a comment

Izumo no Okuni: kagura to kabuki

Posted on November 20, 2011 by John D.

Izumo no okuni was the daughter of a blacksmith who started out as a miko (shrine maiden) at Izumo Shrine. She was known for her beauty and her skill at performing sacred dance (kagura). She was therefore chosen to be … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Izumo | 1 Comment

Hearn and the mirror

Posted on November 17, 2011 by John D.

In his early days in Matsue, Hearn was fascinated by most everything he saw.  Here, in Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan (1894), he describes his first encounter with the mirror that stands at the heart of the Shinto shrine. “Then I … Continue reading →

Posted in Shrine items | 1 Comment

Lafcadio Hearn at Matsue

Posted on November 17, 2011 by John D.

Honeymoon period On my recent visit to Izumo, where the kami of Japan are presently gathered, I took the opportunity to make a literary pilgrimage to the home of Lafcadio Hearn. Though not well-known abroad, he is treasured in Japan … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancestor worship, General, Izumo | 2 Comments

The Wonder of Alan Watts

Posted on November 16, 2011 by John D.

Alan Watts professed not to be a guru.  Well, guess what, Alan…  you are a guru to me!  Actually, you’re more like a kami, for you still talk to me once a week from beyond the grave, courtesy of ipod… … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Green issues | Leave a comment

Izumo Taisha Part 3: Kamiari sai

Posted on November 15, 2011 by John D.

  Kami visitors The best time to visit Izumo is when all the kami of Japan go.  That’s in the tenth month of the old lunar calendar (the dates vary in the modern calendar but are around this time of … Continue reading →

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Posted in Festivals, Izumo, Shrine visits | 2 Comments