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Category: Culture
Forest of the Seven Deities of Fortune
The Forest of the Seven Deities of Fortune (Hida Kaiun-no-Mori Shichi-fuku-jin, in Japanese) consists of seven huge statues of Shinto deities carved from wood that once belonged to trees that were over 1,000 years old, near Takayama, Japan. The sacred septet are important figures in Japanese legend and mythology , each with unique attributes resembling… Read more
Hachimaki – Origin and meaning – JAPAN
The hachimaki has become well known in the West, just seeing it is associated with Japan. A hachimaki (鉢巻) is a ribbon, usually made of white cloth with a red circle in the center and one or two kanji written in black, that the Japanese wear on their heads as a symbol of effort, perseverance… Read more
Myouryuji – The Ninja Temple
Myōryū-ji (妙立寺) commonly known as Ninja-dera (“Ninja Temple”) is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan . Although not actually associated with the ninja , the temple earned its nickname due to its many somewhat misleading defenses. Originally established in 1583 as a small prayer hall by the samurai lord Maeda… Read more
‘Imaginary Elephants’ – Toshogu Shrine
The Toshogu Shrine complex in Nikko , Japan , is famous for its architectural and sculptural beauty, most notably the Three Wise Monkeys and the ” Sleeping Cat “. These are two of the so-called Three Sculptures of Nikkō . The final sculpture is the least known of these, commonly known as ” Sōzō-no-Zō ”… Read more
The Three Wise Monkeys of Toshogu Shrine
You’ve probably heard the proverb “see no evil” or some variation of it. But few know the origin of this phrase or proverb and the fact why it is also associated with monkeys. This “see no evil” phrase is thought to date back to ancient times specifically during China’s Warring States Period , when Confucius… Read more
Gion Matsuri – The Most Famous Festival in Japan
Gion Matsuri (祇園祭), the Yasaka Shrine festival in Kyoto, is the most famous festival in Japan taking place throughout the month of July . There are many different events, but the grand float procession ( Yamaboko Junko ) on July 17 is the star show at the Festival. In the Matsuri people usually wear Yukata… Read more
Buddha’s Nose at Todaiji Temple
Inside the beautiful Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan, there are a myriad of wonders including the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue where the most memorable feature is the Buddha’s nose, more specifically: his nostrils. The Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan A small square hole at the base of one of the temple’s large wooden pillars,… Read more
Mount Fuji – Symbol of Japan
Mount Fuji is located in Japan between Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures , on Honsu , which is the main island. It has a height of 3,776.24 m and is the highest peak in all of Japan . We Japanese people usually remember the height of this mountain, 3776 meters, as ” minanaro” : where “mi”… Read more
What is Seppuku?
Often called “harakiri” in the West, “seppuku” is a form of ritual suicide that originated in Japan’s ancient samurai class. This act normally involved burying a short sword in the lower abdomen, cutting horizontally into the stomach, and finally directing the blade of the sword upwards to ensure a fatal wound. Sometimes they gave themselves… Read more
Hinomaru: National Flag of Japan
Japan is also known as ” the Land of the Rising Sun” , but do you know why? The sun is an important symbol of the nation’s origin story. Its importance is reflected in its national flag, the Hinomaru , which has a red “sun” on a white background. A national flag is usually designed… Read more