Wood Wall

This is a photo of the walls of Asama Shrine.

I love seeing the knots and growth rings in the wood. I actually just learned that growth rings are called Nenrin (年輪) in Japanese. It literally means "year rings."

I think this is a perfect time to quickly give a shout out to my friend Kenichi's blog NENRIN. He's heading out to Morocco at the moment and his photos are really fantastic. So if you can read Japanese or just want to see the photo's, hope you'll take the time to go see his blog (http://nenrin.blogspot.com/)!

See other wonderful reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

Pray and Bow

There were a group of kids gathered in front of Asama Shrine the other day.

From their matching uniforms, I'd guess they're a part of a local soccer team. The kids were all very energetic and calling out to each other to hurry up and fall in line!

When they were all in a row, several of the kids shook the rope connected to the bell and after ringing it a few times, fell back into the line. And after a "Say-no (せいの)!" call from their coach, they all said a big "Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shima su (今年もよろしくお願いします)!!!" This means something like "please let this be a good year," a prayer to the gods, and can also be used as a greeting when we meet people at the start of the year.

Oh, and of course, the kids bowed after that to seal their wish!

Beauty of a Roof

Here is a close up photo of the Jimyoin Temple roof.

I love the way the old buildings in Japan were traditionally built, the wooden structure and the Kawara roofs. Many of the temples and shrines are built using a traditional wood joinery technique, which were nail-less or used few nails. This technique is not written down on any manual but passed down as a craft from generation to generation.

The roof made from tile is also a very important part of the structure. I read somewhere that the beauty of Japanese architecture lies in the varieties of its roof. I tend to agree.

Take a look at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

Sound the Bells

This is the rope attached to the shrine bell of Kume Suitengu (see yesterday's post). Many people who come to pray here use this rope to ring the bell. It's a way to announce their presence before their time in prayer.

You can see in the photo bellow that many people have swung this rope around to ring the bell.

There is usually a offering box under the bell, where people toss in their coins. At the shrine the method of prayer after ringing the bell is: toss coin, two bows, two claps, pray, then one last bow.

Kume Suitengu

These stairs lead up to Kume Suitengu (久米水天宮) Shrine.

This shrine is what we call Sessha (摂社), a shrine that is located within another main shrine's domain. But unlike other sessha, Kume Suitengu has its own entrance and stairs. 

I love how it's located in the woods and surrounded by nature. The god of safe birth is known to be here in Kume Suitengu and many families with expecting mothers come to be blessed. 

 

A Thousand Prayers

Have you ever seen a Senbazuru (千羽鶴) before?

Senbazuru means "a thousand cranes," which is what it really is. They are paper cranes made from origami, strung together with string. It's traditional to make this Senbazuru for people who we want to wish good luck to or to get better. Every crane we make is like a prayer.

I found this Senbazuru at a shrine, which is one of the places people bring it to, to pray for the well-being of others. It even had beads at the end of the strings. I hope their prayer was answered.

Ji-Myo-In

This gorgeous building can be found in Jimyoin Temple, which is a part of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism.

I happened to stumble upon this temple the other day, just as the chants inside the main temple started. The voices in perfect rhythm with the sound of drums was beautiful. I stood there for a few minutes just listening to their rich deep voices.

There were flowers placed at the foot of a statue, which I'm pretty sure the monks change everyday. These are various types of chrysanthemums, which is a flower traditionally given as offerings to temples. They are also common flowers seen in cemeteries, too.

It was such a beautiful day outside, I ended up taking tons of photos of this main temple.

Hit It, Guys!

There's nothing like the sound of the Wadaiko (Japanese Drums) outside, mixing with the sound of the breeze ruffling the leaves, and an occasional chirping of the birds.


It's not everyday we get a chance to see a Wadaiko performance. This was at the Tiger Festival at Tamon Temple. And the amazing perfomance was done by the monks as part of the festival!

Tiger Festival

Little little tigers, lined up along the main temple at Tamon Temple.

These tigers (Tora in Japanese) are placed here in our stead, with our prayers, so that no harm will fall on us. Bishamonten, the Buddhist god that is enshrined at Tamon Temple, personified as a tiger. The reason there are so many tigers.

Can you see all the different expressions on their faces? All the tigers are handmade!

Red Overhead

Nodate Parasol is a outdoor parasol commonly seen in temples and shrines. This particular type is called Tsumaore, which uses these colorful threads to weave the middle part.

This was used at Tamon Temple to shade people sitting on the benches outside.

Pink Peony

Today is Constitution Memorial Day in Japan. One of the many holidays during Golden Week.

It's interesting how people here are very passionate about Matsuri (festivals) but don't seem to embrace holidays in the same manner. We're happy about getting a day off from work or school, but can't quite remember what holiday it is. On the other hand, when it comes to Matsuri, we're all set and ready to celebrate the night away weeks in advance.

Well, it could be just me! Today is a holiday to celebrate the promulgation of the Constitution of Japan in 1947. And yes, I'm embarrassed to say, I did have to look up the year.

I thought I'd post this Peony flower today. It was growing in the garden of Tamon Temple. The temple is called 'Temple of Peony' because they have over 300 peony plants growing in the garden.

Offering Coins and Rice

The coins and rice are offerings for the stone images of Buddha. These stone images are set inside the grounds of Yakumo Shrine. It's been here since 1778, the Anei Era.

Usually the rice is offered first, because rice is the source of life for us. Many people also offer coins, especially the 5yen coin (the one with the hole). The Japanese word for '5yen' is 'Go-yen,' which is similar to the word 'Go-en,' which means 'fate' or 'luck.' So because of this play on words, many people offer a 5yen coin at shrines.

Jitsugetsu Shrine

This is the entrance to Jitsu-getsu Shrine (日月神社).

The stone stairs lead up toward the main shrine. I noticed a lot of people just walking around or little children playing in the lower area.

I'm sure the fierce creature guarding the shrine enjoys having people come by.

Bringing In the Luck

Setsubun(節分) is celebrated on February 3rd here in Japan.

Setsubun means the 'start of a new season' so it would mean the day before the start of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But as spring is considered the 'start of the new year,' Setsubun now refers to the day before spring and many shrines and temples have a Setsubun Festival on the 3rd or the closest weekend.


This is at Tokorozawa Shrine. One of the events at the Setsubun Festival is the 'Mame Maki' which means 'Bean Throwing.' This is a tradition that is said to have come from China during the Heian Era.

What happens is, at a shrine, certain people would throw roasted soybeans or peanuts out at the crowd shouting 'Fuku Wa Uchi!' meaning 'Luck Come In!' as the crowd of people gathered there would try to catch the beans. Some different shrines would also shout 'Oni Wa Soto!' which means 'Demons Out!' but, although I'm not sure of the reason, we don't say that here at the Tokorozawa Shrine.



Catching the beans brings luck to your home, so as you can see, these people are pretty serious about catching those beans. But they're also having fun out there. It was really funny seeing all the old grandpa's and grandma's pushing and shoving their way to the front. I'm sure even if they don't catch very many, just participating in this event gives them the energy to live long and prosper!

I was snapping away on my camera but still managed to catch one. Yay!

Guardian of Children

This stone statue is commonly referred to as Ojizo-sama. He is considered to be the guardian of children's souls, especially children who've passed away before their parents. Most Ojizo-sama wear bibs and/or other baby accessories. They can often be found along side roads and near cemeteries.

Many people who pass by offer flowers and toys as gifts.

What Do You Wish?

Another trip down to Tokorozawa Shrine. This is called an 'Ema (絵馬),' which translates to something like 'Picture of Horse.' It's a wooden plate you can get at a shrine to write your wish or prayer.

People tell me this tradition started in the olden days when the Shinto believers would offer a horse to their god. But as horses were hard to come by, and also expensive to raise, the offerings gradually changed to horse sculptures made of clay and other horse related offerings, and somtime during the Heian Era they became what we use now, a wooden plate with a drawing of a horse on it.

As you can see, the drawing on the wooden plates have changed, too. Some are of foxes or birds, depending on the shrine. This particular one in the photo is of an arrow hitting the target. Can you guess what this person is wishing for?

Fortunate Fortune

I went to Tokorozawa Shrine last week for the 'Hatsu-mode(初詣),' the first visit of the year.

Like many people who go to the shrine, I got an 'Omikuji(おみくじ).' It is a small piece of paper with a fortune written on it. You can find it in most temples and shrines, especially at the start of the year.


All the Omikuji are in a box like this, where you pay 100yen, and pick one out.


Inside the box, there are many (well, not so much in this one...) Omikuji.


When people open it, everyone always looks for the main fortune that tells you how lucky or unlucky you are. It has many levels ranging from 'Dai-kichi(大吉),' the best of luck, to 'Dai-kyo(大凶),' unbelievably bad luck.

I got Dai-kichi this year for the very first time! Yay! But the Omikuji not only tells you your fortune but gives you advise as well. Like mine said that my year would be full of wonderful experiences but that things could go downhill if I don't appreciate it. Good advice.


So what can you do when you get 'Kyo(凶),' a bad luck Omikuji? Well, you can tie your Omikuji as high as you can on branches of trees within the shrine. I'm not quite sure why, because there are so many different traditions regarding what to do with an Omikuji, but I think part of the reason is that some believe by tying it to a tree, you can leave the bad luck there with the tree.

Very interesting, this Omikuji business! I hear there are special Omikuji to tell your fortune in love or money.

I'm curious if there's something like this in other countries?

And There Was Light

I was randomly snapping away on my camera last night on my way home. And when I really looked at this photo on my computer, at first I thought I'd caught something supernatural! You know how sometimes people find 'something' floating around or hiding behind a tree in the photos they take?

But it was only the spotlight behind the shrine...whew!

Kumano Shrine

This is the Chozuya (手水舎) at the Kumano Shrine.

This is where they have the water you can use, to wash your hands and mouth, to purify yourself before offering a prayer at the main shrine. The water of this Chozuya comes out of the mouth of a fierce-looking dragon.

Mikajima Inari Shrine

This is the entrance to the Mikajima Inari Shrine.

I think they just re-painted the torii because the red paint was really shiny.