EXPERIENCE

Culture

Hanko seal

Japanese use Hanko seal with signature Although this custom may look old fashioned, use of seals has a long history in Asia. Around the 12th century Zen Buddhist monks started to use them for their writings. In the late 19th century use of hanko seals for legal documents became the law. So Japanese still believe seals are more reliable. Most people have three seals; jitsu-in for important legal matters such as mortgage contract, ginko-in for opening bank account and mitome-in for daily use such as receiving packages from delivery or post office. You can buy custom made seal at hanko store. They will make hanko in hiragana, katakana or romaji […]

EXPERIENCE

Kimono

You may see women dressed up in kimono on New Year’s days and Coming of age day. Kimonos today were originally a kind of underwear called kosode under long robes in the Heian period. At the end of Muromachi period women started to wear kosode without robes. In the middle of Edo period kimono became more decorative and obi sash more wider. The bottom used to drag along the ground until women started to adjust their length by tying at the waist using obi sashes.　We wrap obi around the waist twice and tie in the back with a beautiful bow. Today most women wear kimonos only on special occasions such […]

EXPERIENCE

Shichi Fukujin Seven Gods of good fortune

Seven Gods of good fortune are believed to arrive on a ship full of treasures and bring good fortunes to the people. They are modeled after Indian, Chinese and Japanese gods.  One of them called Daikokuten standing on bags of rice with a lucky hammer and a big sack is the god of agriculture. Benzaiten playing the biwa is the Goddess of Arts and knowledge. Ebisu holding a fishing rod is the god of fishing and commerce. First worshipped in the Muromachi period and became popular in Edo period. Even today during the New Year’s season many people visit shrines and temples housing Shichi Fukujin statues. And it is believed […]

Ceremony & Event

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 […]

EXPERIENCE

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, […]

Ceremony & Event

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.  

Ceremony & Event

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 […]

Tadataka Ino, Tomioka
EXPERIENCE

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 […]