Stories, festivals, and reflections on the culture, seasons, and quiet corners of Japan.
Living in a land constantly shaped by earthquakes, volcanoes, and battered by typhoons, the people of these islands have learned to respect the formidable forces of nature. The misty mountains covered with dense forests…
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This hike was enchanting and romantic – a wonderful blend of natural beauty, history, and delicious local treats. Although our journey continued for two more days, exploring Kiso-Fukushima and Narai-Juku, even a day hike…
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The first thing that grabs the attention when you enter Nara Park, where the historical sites are is the deer. Nothing can prepare you for the sight of more than 1,000 of them freely…
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Summers in Japan are generally hot and humid. There is, however one place that enjoys a very different climate from the rest of the country and that is Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. a few…
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In the following couple of months, almost daily I would get on my bicycle and head to a temple on my list. These little adventures gave me a great sense of freedom and enjoyment…
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Sakura trees are different from ordinary cherry trees as they don’t produce fruit but instead have been cultivated over the centuries for their beautiful flowers. The cherry blossoms are considered the unofficial icon of…
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There are several fun traditions associated with Setsubun with the most popular one being mame-maki, which means throwing beans in Japanese. The period of time surrounding the Setsubun, was thought to bring the spirit…
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A wonderful aspect of living in an old farming community was that they still faithfully observed their traditions. On the 7th day of January of our first new year there, a Dondo Yaki hut…
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The Daruma dolls are named after Bodhidharma, the Buddhist monk who is traditionally credited for bringing Zen Buddhism to China. The legend says that Bodhidharma was famous among other things for his practice of…
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The New Year, or O-Shogatsu in Japanese is Japan's most important holiday that comes with its own customs and traditions. Many of these customs have Shinto, Buddhist, or even Feng Shui roots. They are…
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In the following couple of months, almost daily I would get on my bicycle and head to a temple on my list. These little adventures gave me a great sense of freedom and enjoyment…
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I loved seeing the arhat statues because of their expressive faces – each of had its own character. Some looked lost in meditation, some were serious and others had a dream-like expression. And then…
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I found the Moon window mesmerizing. It was like an opening into another world and its scenery, ever changing with the seasons to be like a magical kaleidoscope offering a different view every time…
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Today, August 13th marks the beginning of O-bon, one of the most important spiritual and secular events in Japan. The festival traces its origin in ancient Buddhist and Confucian beliefs according to which the…
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"Of all the plants in the world, the lotus flower is the most unique.” - Cao Zhi (192-232). In Japan the beginning of July falls in the middle of the rainy season and rivers,…
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One of my favorite festivals is Tanabata, also known as the star festival that is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month, just a couple of days from today. According to a…
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Many years ago, when I first started on my spiritual path, a friend suggested that since I lived in Japan I should go to a temple and try Zazen meditation. He said it would…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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