Even as fellow nationalist Hashimoto Toru is creating an international storm about remarks regarding comfort women, prime minister Abe shows that Japan has a way of honouring its dead without insulting other nations. One might think the lesson would be … Read the rest
Category: Japanese culture (Page 17 of 19)
Britain’s Independent newspaper carries an article today about the fashion for ‘kawaii’ which has arrived from Japan (click here.)
I’ve written before of how the phenomenon of ‘kawaii’ might link to notions in Shinto (click here). There … Read the rest
“The number of Shinto shrines in Japan has changed over centuries due to various political and social changes. There were about 190,000 shrines during the early Meiji Era (1867-1912), before a drastic change came about … Read the rest
One of my favourite writers about Japan, Michael Hoffman, has brought out a long article in the Japan Times today on Japan and notions of beauty, prompted by the current right-wing prime minister’s declaration that he wants to promote a … Read the rest
With the return of self-avowed nationalists to power in the Abe-led LDP government, Yasukuni has once again become a political football to be kicked with gleeful relish into the faces of those who suffered Japan’s war crimes in WW2. … Read the rest
Green Shinto is vehemently opposed to whaling on the grounds of cruelty. Moreover, there’s a nasty ‘stink’ about every aspect of the Japanese whaling industry. The downright deceit. The hidden political subsidies. The ties to the yakuza. The nationalist subterfuge. … Read the rest
The cherry blossom by my house are in full bloom at the moment, a reminder of the joys of spring. Celebrating the yearly round is an important part of pagan traditions, which signifies our connection with the seasonal cycle … Read the rest