Green Shinto reader, Quin Arbeitman, has written in about the just published new translation of Kojiki (712), Japan’s oldest writing. As he says, it’s “A much needed development, as the Basil Hall Chamberlain translation is generally considered a needlessly … Read the rest
Today being 9/9, it’s the day of the Crow Sumo Festival at Kamigamo Jinja. (Green Shinto has carried a report on this unique event before; see here.)
Three has been a magic number with spiritual import since … Read the rest
A fascinating post on the Japanese Mythology website, which can be found here, reaches back into Jomon times to posit the existence of a ‘soul tree’ on which magatama beads were hung. How far modern Shinto can be … Read the rest
Bamboo flute musician Tosha borrows from the modern to teach traditional tranquility
BY SEI DICKINSON Japan Times JUL 15, 2014
Music changes from generation to generation, which is as true in Japan as it is everywhere else. But … Read the rest
Today’s Busha Shinji ceremony at Shimogamo Jinja is a pre-Aoi Festival purification rite to clear the air of evil spirits. In this way it serves to prepare suitable conditions for the procession on May 15 which lies at the heart … Read the rest
Meoto (husband-wife) rocks can be found around Japan, but the most famous pair are at Futami near Ise, as pictured above. The rocks are usually taken to represent the primal pair of Izanagi and Izanami. Meoto rocks are invariably located … Read the rest
One thing I’ve noticed on my visits to shrines and temples is the number of times one comes across the phoenix (ho-o). It’s a popular item on mikoshi (portable shrine), and it stands famously on the top … Read the rest
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