Blog - The Spirit of Japan Tours

Wabi-Sabi, the Zen Philosophy of Life

Since pottery is one of my passions, I love looking at photos of ceramics. The cup here caught my eye right away. It is old and faded and has cracks, yet all these imperfections seem to add to its beauty instead of taking away from it. The cracks on the back are highlighted and not hidden, as if to celebrate and bring forward the richness of the cup’s long life...

The Spirit of Japan Tours

The Seven Gods Of Fortune

The image of the sea and ocean waves can be seen on various forms of Japanese art: ukiyo-e paintings, kimono and Sometimes what you are looking for is right in front of you and you don’t even know.” John Hall. In the last two months, with the pandemic changing our daily routines and restricting our activities, one of the things I have been enjoying greatly is hopping on my cross-bike and exploring the area where I live...

The Spirit of Japan Tours

The Sacred Fire Goma Ceremony

The Goma Ritual of consecrated fire is unique to Esoteric Buddhism and is the most recognizable ritual of the esoteric Shingon sect in Japan. The ceremony is performed with the purpose of destroying negative energies and detrimental thoughts and desires. In the ceremony, a priest burns wooden sticks in the scared fire...

Wave Pattern Bowl, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Spirit of Japan Tours

Understanding Zen Through The Arts

The image of the sea and ocean waves can be seen on various forms of Japanese art: ukiyo-e paintings, kimono and other textile patterns, pottery etc. What many do not know however, is that there is a deeper, spiritual meaning that the pattern represents - Zen Buddhism’s concept of Ku or emptiness...

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Wabi-Sabi, the Zen Philosophy of Life

The Seven Gods Of Fortune

The Sacred Fire Goma Ceremony

Understanding Zen Through The Arts

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