My local station (Demachiyanagi in Kyoto) has put up this attractive looking arrangement next to its information rack. What’s that all about your may wonder? Well, thereby hangs a tale of star-crossed lovers…
Seven is a magic number, and double … Read the rest
One bright Saturday afternoon in the fresh green of spring, priests led a bride and groom toward a wedding hall at Meiji Jingu, a renowned … Read the rest
May 5 is Children’s Day, a national holiday established in 1948 to promote their happiness and well-being. At this time of year in ancient times people suffered from disease during this season due to high temperature and humidity. The fragrance … Read the rest
The spring equinox is celebrated in Japan with Shunbun no hi, a national holiday. It was established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things. Prior to 1948, the vernal equinox was
March 3 is Doll’s Day in Japan, and the stores are full of amazake (sweet sake) and sweets called arare, traditional fare which are consumed along with chirashizushi (fish on a bed of rice etc) in front of the … Read the rest
The magical symbolism of seven, five and three is derived from China, thanks largely to the teachings of Daoism with its favouring of odd numbers and distaste for static symmetry. According to Chinese tradition, the world was created with 1 … Read the rest
7/7 (July 7) might be considered lucky indeed. And in Japan it’s closely associated with stars and lovers. How come?
Stars and constellations had a close connection with the spirituality of early Man. ‘It’s written in the stars,’ goes the … Read the rest
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