Traditional
I love shisa lions/dogs from Okinawa. At the Tsuboya district in Naha (five minutes walking south from Kokusai-dori) I had the chance to see several artisans creating these figures that are usually seen at the entrance of houses or on rooftops to protect them against evil spirits and dragons. Legend has it that an envoy [...]
Rakugo (落語, literally “fallen words”) is a form of entertainment based on monologues. The rakugoka (the person who does monologues) sits in a seiza position on a zabuton in front of the public and tells funny short stories. Normally the stories/jokes follow a similar patter in which two main characters go through an experience together [...]
Yesterday, February 3rd, it was setsubun day here in Japan, which supposedly marks the end of the winter (a little bit early) and the entrance of spring. According to tradition, on setsubun day you have to scare the demon spirits away and eliminate all the bad things that happened the former year. One of the [...]
For many Japanese people the most interesting thing about the beginning of a new year is not the last seconds of the former year but to enjoy a first beautiful dawn in the new year. Here, the night of the 31st of December is quite quiet compared to other places in the world; the most [...]
In Buddhist temples you can usually find Buddhist bells that are played by striking them with a tree trunk that hangs horizontally from ropes. In New Year’s eve the bells are played 108 times. According to Buddhist tradition humans only have 108 desires and passions, and each bell stroke helps us release the burden of [...]
Maneki Neko is a traditional Japanese figure, if you have a Maneki Neko it will give you good luck. Restaurants and shops and companies usually have a Maneki Nekos at the entrance, this way the business will do well. Continue reading… This is a real cat imitating the position of a maneki neko figure. Found [...]
The first lightning technologies in Japan arrived from China during the 6th century. The commerce and exchange of technologies with China during that time was very intense. The first kind of lanterns that arrived from China were made of stone and they started being used in Buddhist temples to honor Buddha. This kind of lanterns [...]
The other day we went to visit Okunoin, the largest cemetery in Japan. It is dedicated to Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism and the supposed creator (it hasn’t been proved) of the hiragana alphabet of the Japanese language. The funny thing is that you can’t find Kukai’s grave at the cemetery, because he is [...]
