Hello readers, A while back, I talked about something in Japanese culture called a goshuinchō (ご朱印帳), or pilgrimage book. This is a tradition that started in the late-medieval Edo period, when life in Japan finally stabilized and people could afford to travel the countryside on Buddhist pilgrimages, or just sight-seeing. People would get a “seal”Continue reading “New Pilgrimage Books”
Tag Archives: Japan
The Shōshinge Hymn
While in Japan, my wife, kids and I attended the 49-day memorial service (details here) for my mother in law. This service was held at a neighborhood Jodo Shinshu-sect temple which my mother in law frequently volunteered, and our kids have grown up together for generations. 😌 This was the first Jodo Shinshu Buddhist serviceContinue reading “The Shōshinge Hymn”
Awesome Historical Totebag
Speaking of the famous “nun warlord” Hojo no Masako, I wanted to share something really great that I picked up in Japan in Kamakura (still uploading pics from that trip, blog post coming later): This totebag features the famous speech by Hojo no Masako shortly before the Jokyu War of 1221, when the retainers ofContinue reading “Awesome Historical Totebag”
The Eternal Light of the Dharma
Something cool I wanted to share with readers: the Japanese Buddhist temple of Enryakuji (mentioned in a previous post) on Mount Hiei has a 24-hour livestream video of a special oil lamp called the fumetsu no hōtō (不滅の法灯) which means something like the “eternal Dharma lamp” : According to tradition, this small oil lamp hasContinue reading “The Eternal Light of the Dharma”
Goodbye to the Heisei Period and Hello to the Reiwa Period
As of today the Heisei (平成) Period in Japan has officially ended, and the Reiwa (令和) Period has officially begun. Personally, having seen the Heisei Emperor on TV and such, I will definitely miss him. He really seemed like a cool guy, and really cared about people. I saw one clip on Japanese TV whereContinue reading “Goodbye to the Heisei Period and Hello to the Reiwa Period”
Part Three: Learning Hiragana Ain’t Hard!
In lesson one we covered basic concepts of Japanese hiragana writing and in lesson two we covered some more advanced features. Today, we’ll focus more on how to learn hiragana. If you’re studying Japanese, hiragana is a “learn once, learn early, use often” feature of the language. The sooner you make the leap, the better. Continue reading “Part Three: Learning Hiragana Ain’t Hard!”
Spring Drowsiness
Recently, my wife and I were talking about how lately we’ve been feeling extra drowsy and lethargic, and she reminded me of a famous Chinese poem from the Tang Dynasty that is often quoted in Japanese culture as a figure of speech: 春眠暁を覚えず shunmin akatsuki wo oboezu This phrase can be loosely translated as “whileContinue reading “Spring Drowsiness”
Even Cherry Blossoms Get Old
Recently, I found this post on Twitter: The sakura sure have lasted a long time this year😬🌸 there comes a timeeven in blossoming Kyoto…sick of it或時は花の都にも倦にけり Kobayashi Issa (小林 一茶), 1795.Translation by David G. Lanoue.#Kyoto #Sakura #Japan #Chionin #小林一茶 #cherryblossom #知恩院 pic.twitter.com/sOjHZntnb5 — Adventures in Kyoto (@KyotoDailyPhoto) April 14, 2019 The haiku in question, writtenContinue reading “Even Cherry Blossoms Get Old”
Gone Before You Know It
Now that the miserable long winter here in the Pacific Northwest is becoming a faded memory (not to mention unusually persistent this year), Spring is finally here! At times like these I love to go back and re-read poems from the famous Japanese anthology, the Hyakunin Isshu. In particular, one of my favorite is thisContinue reading “Gone Before You Know It”
Spring Fever
Warm weather has finally arrived! I wanted to post an old poem from my other blog here to celebrate: 久方の Hisakata no 光のどけき hikari no dokeki 春の日に haru no hi ni しづ心なく shizu gokoro naku 花のちるらむ hana no chiruran Porter’s translation is: THE spring has come, and once again The sun shines in the sky; So gentlyContinue reading “Spring Fever”
Gleanings in Buddha-Fields 