One of the functions of the shaman in ancient societies was as guardian of the tribe’s identity. This often meant memorising great chunks of mythology and history. Keeping a record of the past not only tells you who you are, … Read the rest
Category: Shamanic connections (Page 4 of 8)
This post follows up the previous post on mirrors in Zen and Shinto. It consists of an article adapted from the latest issue of Sacred Hoop (no. 91), a magazine about shamanism. The article is useful in placing the context … Read the rest
Much about the Hata is shrouded in mystery and lost in time. In which century did they arrive into Japan? Did they come from Korea, from China – or somewhere far beyond that along the Silk Road? What belief systems … Read the rest
BlueSky is a Mongolian shaman, author and director of The Institute for the Study of Mongolian Shamanism, living in Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. In the latest edition of the Sacred Hoop magazine (Issue 87, spring 2015, p.42) he writes about an … Read the rest
I was once shown round a shrine by a Shinto priest, who claimed the concern with cleanliness and purity was because the high humidity in Japan fostered disease and germs. It struck me as a typical Japanese way of seeing … Read the rest
A Hollywood production; a living scroll; an eye-popping kaleidoscope of costumes; a celebration of heritage – Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages) is all this and more. It takes place on Oct 22, and such is the enormity of the … Read the rest
Mt Ontake, Japan’s second tallest volcano at 3067 meters (1062 ft), has erupted with dozens stranded or injured. (The Guardian has a short video of the eruption with a statement by prime minister Abe here.)
Unfortunately, because … Read the rest