Category Archives: General

This news item seemed so unlikely I had to re-post it… English and Japanese share a common linguistic origin?!! It certainly didn’t strike me that way when trying to learn the language.  But according to British scientists it seems they … Continue reading →

Many of Shinto’s 22,000 priests work in straightened circumstances.  Their income from Shinto is not enough, and they are forced to do part-time jobs to survive.  Some get by as best they can. Britain’s Guardian newspaper carries a piece today … Continue reading →

Here is a sad update on the poisoning of sacred trees, which featured in an earlier entry.  The poisoners have not yet been caught, but the number of their crimes has grown considerably.  In the passage below, there is a … Continue reading →

  There was another short quiz on an entertainment show ast night on television. It may be that competition with all the Christmas publicity is bringing up thoughts of Hatsumode… There were only two questions on the show last night. … Continue reading →

One of the items in the morning’s news on television concerned the death of a sacred tree in Ehime prefecture in Shikoku.  Because it had withered, it was due to be cut down at considerable expense to the shrine.  However, … Continue reading →

Here are the quiz questions again, followed by the answers: 1) What is the correct way to pass through a torii at the entrance to a shrine? Before passing through the torii, one should bow towards the shrine in respect … Continue reading →