Anyone who has seen kami being moved from one place to another will know it’s an occasion of much pomp and mystery. The kami are shrouded with sheets so as to be kept free from impure gaze, there may … Read the rest
Category: Kami (Page 4 of 9)
There’s an interesting interpretation of Shinto as a folk religion on the Japan News website (owned by the conservative-leaning Yomiuri Shimbun). The article is notable for stressing the communal nature of the religion, in contrast to the personal belief systems … Read the rest
The nippon.com site has some useful introductory essays on Japanese culture as a whole, and on Shinto in particular. In the passage below light is shed on the nature of the Japanese concept of kami by contrasting the term … Read the rest
There was a happy Christmas at Ujigami Shrine near Kyoto, for the kami there were restored to their home after being relocated during the extensive repairs carried out. There is often speculation about the nature and location of kami since
Mt Ontake, Japan’s second tallest volcano at 3067 meters (1062 ft), has erupted with dozens stranded or injured. (The Guardian has a short video of the eruption with a statement by prime minister Abe here.)
Unfortunately, because … Read the rest
Green Shinto has featured before the writings of naturalist Kevin Short, who combines his research of Japanese flora and fauna with explorations into folklore. In a recent column for the Japan News, which can be accessed here, … Read the rest
Commenting on his famous picture, Magritte wrote that “Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see. There is an interest in that which is hidden and which the … Read the rest