Traditional
Kyudo (弓道: “the way of the bow”), on of the most ancient Japanese martial arts, searches for spiritual development through archery. The way of holding the bow and all the steps to follow when shooting are very strict and many years of strict training are required to be able to dominate them. Yabusame uses some [...]
The Seven Gods of Fortune (七福神 – Shichifukujin) are a group of very popular gods in Japan. But just one of them, Ebisu, actually originated from the Land of the Rising Sun. Daikokuten, Bishamonten and Benzaiten are native to India; and Hotei, Jurojin and Fukurokuju from China. All of them come from Taoist and Shintoist [...]
Noren are the short curtains that you can usually find at the entrance of restaurants and shops in Japan. They are used to avoid dust from entering the place and as a means of protection from sun and wind. Sometimes they’re divided into different parts so people can enter more easily. That’s a noren. They [...]
Two weekends ago we were in Sanja Matsuri (三社祭: festival of the three temples), one of the most important Shinto festivals in Tokyo which takes place in Asakusa every year. The main attraction of most of Japanese festivals are mikoshis, some kind of “small temple” that are carried by men and are taken out “for [...]
If you have never taken a bath in a Japanese onsen (public baths) you will find the following videos interesting. The water used in onsens is of volcanic origin and depending on the location of the onsen the water has different proprieties; in general having a bath in an onsen is good for the skin. [...]
Lately I’ve been enjoying “traditional Japanese festivals” (matsuris 祭り) more than ever. Matsuris are usually held next to a temple and one of the main activities is to eat. Omikoshi processions and traditional dances are common activities as well; but somehow I have the feeling that what is really important and brings people to the [...]
Yabusame is considered as one of the most divine martial arts practiced in Japan. The Japanese government DOESN’T consider it a sport but a traditional ritual that consists of shooting with a bow to different targets while riding a horse. Yabusame is practiced in a 255 meter long track where there are three targets that [...]
Yesterday, February 3rd, was the setsubun day here in Japan; which supposedly marks the end of the winter season (a little bit early) and the beginning of spring. According to tradition, in setsubun day you have to scare demons away and eliminate everything bad that happened the previous year; to achieve this you have to [...]
