Chinowa-Kuguri, passing through a hoop ceremony

Chinowa, large hoop made of kaya grass,  is placed in front of the shrine sanctuary two times a year, early in summer and around end or beginning of the year (different depending on the shrine). People can be purified and protected from illness and evil by passing through three times in such a way as to draw a number of 8.  This is an old shrine tradition with roots in a very old Japanese legend: “Once upon a time the man called Susanoo-no-Mikoto asked one night’s shelter to the villagers during his trip. While the rich man named Tanshorai wouldn’t give even a night’s shelter, his elder brother named Somin […]

EMA, Wooden votive tablets

Visitors offer up prayers for fortune through use of votive tablets known as “Ema” at temple or shrine. We write wishes on tablet and hang them on the designated rack. Many students write the name of university or high school they want to pass. Ema 絵馬 means picture and horse. In ancient Japan people dedicated horses alive to temples and shrines. Today ema designs are not limited to horses, and often have a picture of the year’s eto or zodiacal animal. The system of associating a different animal with each year is a 12 year cycle came from China. In Japan the animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, […]

Omikuji

What is Omikuji ? Omikuji is a fortune telling paper. On hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the year Japanese often draw lots called omikuji and forecast good or bad fortune in the year ahead. But don’t worry !!　Even if you draw a bad luck omikuji you can leave your bad luck by tying it to designated trees. Try one !! Kinds of Omikuji : Daikichi ; Best Luck Chukichi ; Medium luck Suekichi ; Small luck Kyo ;  Bad luck Dai-kyo ; Worst luck    

Kadomatsu

December is the busiest month of the year for most Japanese. Soon after X’mas we take away Christmas tree and decoration and place New Year’s Kadomatsu at the entrance of house, apartment or the office building. Decorated with auspicious items like orange, daidai translated as “from generation to generation”, green pine twigs, symbol of power and longevity because of its greenness all the time, fern leaves, symbol of hope and desire to have a family, and the bamboo, a symbol of strength and prosperity to Kadomatsu welcomes Kami.  

Shimenawa & Shimekazari

  Shimenawa, sacred rope made of rice straw at Shinto shrines, Torii gates, trees and landmarks rock with ”Shide”, a kind of paper streamers are thought to be the boundary between the sacred and this world and to ward off diseases and evils. When you see it around a tree or a rock, don’t cut down the tree because the spirit is believed to inhabit it. The highest rank of Sumo wrestlers are allowed to ware Yokozuna, shimenawa because Sumo was originally practiced as Shinto ritual for agricultural fertility in ancient times.   You may see Shime-kazari placed on the porch or the entrance door on the New Year’s days. […]

Daruma

A Daruma doll 達磨, good luck doll, typically red and is depicted a bearded man. The color and design vary depending on region and artist. When sold, the eyes are both blank white. When Japanese set a goal or wish we paint in one of the eyes. Once our wish is answered we fill the second eye. A Daruma doll 達磨 is modeled after Bodhidhama, the founder of the Zen of Buddhism. It is said Bodhidhama sat in meditation for 9 years then his legs and arms fell off. Daruma 達磨 usually made of papier marche is round and hollow and weighted at the bottom so as to always return […]

Beckoning Cat, Maneki neko

  Cute Manekineko is popular as souvenir among travelers.Manekineko, a beckoning cat raising right paw attracts money.Left paw attracts good luck. Which do you like?! Surely Both. Recently some Maneki neko raising both hands.

A man holding cane : Tadataka INO

The statue of Tadataka Ino stands at entrance of Tomioka Hachimangu shrine, Tokyo. Who is he ? Hints are a cane he holds and Map of Japan behind him. During Edo period Tadataka INO surveyed all over Japan and completed the first Map of Japan. Born in Kujukuri town, Chiba pref., he engaged in sake brewery as his family business in Sawara. At the age of 50, he retired and moved to Fukagawa, Edo (now Tokyo) where he learned about astronomy and surveying. From the age of 55 to 71 he traveled all of Japan on foot to perform his surveys. As a result he completed the first map of […]

toothpick

“Why is a toothpick shaped like this?” asked by Holland tourists I answered “It’s designed like Japanese Kokeshi doll”. As I heard from my mother. But some say “ Cut it at its head and place the body on its head to avoid rolling over”, as you see below photo. I’m not quite sure which is correct, but both might be true.  

Japanese vending machine

Japanese vending machines sell everything from hot & cold drink to news-paper. I found a rare Oden vending machine in a cold winter day. Oden is a Japanese winter pot dish with daikon, eggs, konjacm octopus and fish balls in a flavorful dashi broth. Usually family and friends gather and eat one pot dish.