Monthly Archives: December 2011

New Year

Posted on December 24, 2011 by John D.

A merry festive season You could say that New Year is Japan’s equivalent to Christmas. It’s family-orientated, involves eating special food, and celebrates birth of a kind.  The decorations feature an evergreen tree, and instead of midnight mass, there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, New Year, Rites and celebrations | 2 Comments

Happy Solstice! (Rock Cave myth)

Posted on December 22, 2011 by John D.

Japan’s central myth is that Amaterasu, the sun-goddess, retired to a Rock Cave after the upsetting antics of her brother, Susanoo. As a result the world was deprived of her radiant light. Some have interpreted this as a reference to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Mythology | Leave a comment

Animism trumps Ancestor Worship

Posted on December 20, 2011 by John D.

Animism versus ancestors Is Shinto a nature religion? It’s often referred to that way, but the truth is that it’s much more complicated. Animism is married to ancestor worship and tribalism. If you look at the major shrines, nature spirits … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancestor worship, Animism, Green issues | 1 Comment

Manyoshu (Part Two)

Posted on December 19, 2011 by John D.

A previous posting noted how the eighth-century poetry compilation, Manyoshu is permeated with a proto-Shinto sentiment.  I’ve now come across another article on the subject by Furukawa Teishi.  It’s entitled ‘The Tradition of Sei-mei-shin’ and was included in the Proceedings of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Leave a comment

Waterfall misogi (takigyo)

Posted on December 17, 2011 by John D.

It seems there’s a boom in mountain asceticism.  This month’s Kansai Scene had a piece on experiencing shugendo (see here).  This morning Japan Today writes of a three-day programme on Mount Mitake, about an hour from Tokyo by train.  Cold … Continue reading →

Posted in Practical, Shugendo | Leave a comment

Experiencing shugendo (mountain asceticism)

Posted on December 14, 2011 by John D.

There’s a short article on shugendo in this month’s Kansai Scene, which can be read online here.  It’s of particular interest because it describes an opportunity for foreigners to experience this Shinto-Buddhist blend of mountain asceticism for themselves. Shugendo dates … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountains, Practical, Shugendo | Leave a comment

“Sickening Age-uma shinji”

Posted on December 12, 2011 by John D.

The animal welfare society to which I belong (JAWS) has an article in its latest newsletter which contains details of a shocking Shinto event involving cruelty to horses. It calls into question the whole ethos of Shinto as a religion … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, Green issues | 5 Comments

Sakaki

Posted on December 12, 2011 by John D.

The sakaki branch is common in Shintō ceremonies.  It’s used on altars, and it’s used as an offering to the kami. It’s used too as a vehicle into which the kami descends, and as a wand for purification. Performers hold sprigs in … Continue reading →

Posted in Shrine items | 1 Comment

Nonomiya Shrine (Kyoto)

Posted on December 11, 2011 by John D.

Those of us who live in Kyoto are spoilt.  As soon as the glorious autumn colour light-ups finish, we get the Hanatouro light-up in Arashiyama.  The area was once a pleasure-ground for the Heian aristocracy, when boats plied languidly across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Kyoto shrines, Shrine visits | 1 Comment

The six shrines of Ou

Posted on December 10, 2011 by John D.

Ou, what a relief Ancient Izumo is a land of legends, associated with Susanoo and the slaying of the eight-headed monster (Yamata no Orochi).  it’s also said to be the burial place of the mythological Izanami, who together with her … Continue reading →

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Posted in Izumo, Shrine visits | Leave a comment