The sakaki branch is common in Shintō ceremonies. It’s used on altars, and it’s used as an offering to the kami. It’s used too as a vehicle into which the kami descends, and as a wand for purification. Performers hold … Read the rest
Category: Shrine items (Page 12 of 13)
White horses
What is it with white horses? Near my home town of Oxford, there’s one that was scoured into the chalk hill some 2000 years ago. Since ancient times commanders, kings and emperors have liked to ride white … Read the rest
Last week I went to an exhibition of kami statues at Otsu History Museum. The statues came from Shiga prefecture – ‘land of gods and buddhas’ – together with mandala and photographs of Hiyoshi Shrine’s Sanno festival. There were … Read the rest
In his early days in Matsue, Hearn was fascinated by most everything he saw. Here, in Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan (1894), he describes his first encounter with the mirror that stands at the heart of the Shinto shrine. It captures … Read the rest
A visit to Matsuo Taisha today, where to celebrate the national holiday there was a saké festival in full flow. There was live music, high spirits and people in their cups. The shrine is noted for its quality of … Read the rest
There’s an article on torii in this month’s Kansai Scene…
The reference to the Shitennoji torii in Osaka is interesting. Unfortunately I haven’t seen it myself, but it’s worth noting that its founder, Prince Shotoku, while being a
In Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan (1894), Lafcadio Hearn shares his delight at discovering the folk customs of the Matsue region (Shimane prefecture). It was his honeymoon period and he is enchanted by all he sees. The book is available online … Read the rest