Author Archives: John D.

Florian Wiltschko

Posted on May 22, 2013 by John D.

Details are emerging now of the breakthrough Austrian priest, who has been appointed through Jinja Honcho to a position at a shrine in Shibuya. The 25 year old is from Linz in Austria, and first became interested in Japan and … Continue reading →

Posted in International | Leave a comment

Yoshida – a hidden jewel

Posted on May 16, 2013 by John D.

  Yoshida Shrine is alluring, attractive and one of the reasons I came to live in Kyoto. It also happens to be one of the most significant shrines in history, for it was from here that Yoshida Shinto was propagated … Continue reading →

Posted in Kyoto shrines, Shrine visits | Leave a comment

Tokyo National Museum exhibition

Posted on May 16, 2013 by John D.

MAY 16, 2013 Japan Times “The number of Shinto shrines in Japan has changed over centuries due to various political and social changes. There were about 190,000 shrines during the early Meiji Era (1867-1912), before a drastic change came about … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Japanese culture, Social values | Leave a comment

Aoi parade report

Posted on May 16, 2013 by John D.

  Aoi Festival Grand Procession: Ancient Capital Shines under Clear Skies adapted from the Kyoto Shimbun The Aoi Festival, the first of Kyoto’s three major festivals, stretched out through Kyoto City today. A total of 511 participants dressed in noble … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, Kyoto shrines | Leave a comment

Mikage-sai (Pre-Aoi)

Posted on May 15, 2013 by John D.

  This is the second part of the entry about Mikage-sai, which takes place on May 12.  A previous post covered the morning ritual at Shimogamo Shrine, when participants partake in purification rites prior to taking buses up to Mikage … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, Kyoto shrines | Leave a comment

Alternative to Yasukuni

Posted on May 15, 2013 by John D.

The Japan Times carries a short piece today noting PM Abe’s lukewarm response about the need for an alternative to Yasukuni… ************************************************************** Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sounded a cautious note Tuesday about a proposal to establish a new state-managed war … Continue reading →

Posted in Nationalism | Leave a comment

Mikage-sai (Pre-Aoi)

Posted on May 12, 2013 by John D.

  May 12 is a big day for Kyoto.  An awesome day, you might say.  This is the day when the two co-hosts of the Aoi Matsuri, Shimogamo and Kamigamo, receive the kami from their sacred hills and renew the … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, Kyoto shrines | 1 Comment

Japan and beauty

Posted on May 12, 2013 by John D.

One of my favourite writers about Japan, Michael Hoffman, has brought out a long article in the Japan Times today on Japan and notions of beauty, prompted by the current right-wing prime minister’s declaration that he wants to promote a … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Japanese culture | 2 Comments

Nature poetry and worship

Posted on May 12, 2013 by John D.

  In a Japan Times article on Beauty in Japan today, one of my favourite writers on Japan, Michael Hoffman, puts forward some interesting thoughts about early Japanese poetry and the attitudes to nature that it reflects. ********************************************* In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Poetry | 1 Comment

Aoi parade

Posted on May 10, 2013 by John D.

  On May 15 the oldest of Kyoto’s Big Three Festivals takes place.  The Aoi Matsuri is the city’s big spring event; the Gion Matsuri is the summer bonanza; and the Jidai Matsuri is the autumnal offering.  In winter we … Continue reading →

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Posted in Festivals, Kyoto shrines | 1 Comment