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“Goshuin” (stamp given at shrines or temples) collecting

2016.03.01

Charms of Japan

First of all, “Goshuin” is a stamp that is given to the visitors at shrines or temples.
In addition, monks in charge write with a brush dynamically the name of the temple
and the date of visit.
The price is only 300 yen.
The more you get “Goshuin”, the more you have fun to look back at them.
Also, it would be a good record of travels.
There are differences in the designs and brushwork depending on temples or shrines,
so each individuality is interesting.
Recently, “Goshuin Girls” have increased but some people are critical of the boom.
However, I think that this boom actually made me realize unexpected pleasures such as
an attraction of calligraphy as art and shrines or temples, fun of collecting something etc.
On the other hand, at shrines, Shinto priests in charge are looking forward to
talking with visitors who come to get “Goshuin”, I guess. (H.S)


“Goshuin” of Shariden/The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto

“Goshuin” of Kinpukuji Temple related to Basho MATSUO in Kyoto

Original Goshuin Note of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, which has a quite girlish design

Japanese Traditional Snacks for Bean-Throwing Ceremony, Setsubun

2016.01.28

Charms of Japan

roasted soybeans and dry sweets

As I was thinking that I finally got out of the mood of the New Year holidays, they started to display already assorted roasted soybeans and cute dry sweets at a nearby Japanese sweets shop.
The assorted snacks' name is “Setsubun”. ( The word “Setsubun” literally means “division of the seasons”. We usually have bean-throwing ceremony.)

 

A smiling woman’s (represents good fortune) mask and devil (Oni in Japanese) one, a wooden measure and rolled sushi is called “Ehomaki”...

 

They are very fine works. Above all, on the wooden measure, even beans and a word are engraved.

Just by looking at the assorted sweets, it is very enjoyable because there is a mixture of homespun roasted soybeans and flawless dry sweets in a small box.

 

Setsubun Box

This "Setsubun" box is palm size (9 cm square), it lasts long and inexpensive. So it will be good souvenirs around this season for any visitors, especially from foreign countries.

 

Setsubun display

A Display during a heavy snow storm the other day.

 

T.S

Decoration for the New Year Celebration

2016.01.17

Charms of Japan

Shime Kazari (Scred Straw Festoon)

A little while ago, as I was walking in the neighborhood of our office, I took photographs of decorations for the New Year celebration.

This is a Shime Kazari (a sacred straw festoon) put up on the entrance of a sushi restaurant.

　

 

Shime Kazari (Sacred Straw Fewtoon) at a bar

There is also a Japanese traditional decoration, Shime Kazari was hung next on the entrance of a bar where they serve western alcohol beverages.

 

Shime Kazari (Sacred festoon) on the entrance of a building

A large Shime Kazari which is fitted to the size of the building entrance width.

 

Kadomatsu (New Year's pine and bamboo decoration角松

I found a decent Kadomatsu ( a New Year’s pine and bamboo decoration ) at the entrance of a construction company building.

 

Display of Japanese traditional sweets especially for the new year

Although these are not the decorations for the New Year, there are Japanese traditional sweets displayed especially for the New Year at a Japanese cake shop which bring up the Japanese New Year's sprit.

 

Sagicho bon fire at Shinmei Shrine神明神社の左義長

By the way, today at Shinmei Shrine in the neighborhood of our office, they are having Dondo Yaki (New Year’s bon fire).

Maybe the decorations for the New Year above will be burned here. (The photograph of Sagicho bon fire was taken last year at Shinmei Shrine)

T.S

Japanese New Year Holidays

2016.01.13

Charms of Japan

New Year, especially from January 1st to the 3rd,

those three days are very special in Japan.

 

We celebrate the new year

 by putting a"Shimenawa"(a New Year festoon made of sacred straw ) on the upper part of the entrance ,

going on a "Hatsumode" (visiting shrines to wish for another good year),

drawing "Omikuji" ( a fortune slip ) to see how the year will be

(they are available through out a year as well),

if the slip does not tell a good thing, tying the fortune slip to a tree in precincts of the shrine after reading it,

buying good-luck charms for health, love, business, studying and so on.

 

At home, we usually have special food called "Osechi" (traditional Japanese New Year foods that are usually in special lunch boxes called "Jyubako")

and enjoy our winter vacation with family.

 

New Years are very important parts of Japanese culture.

Its importance is similar to Thanksgiving day and or Christmas in western culture.

 

T.F

Cute heart shape at Japanese Toka Ebisu Festival [movie]

2016.01.12

Charms of Japan

On January 10th, I found "Hearts" at the precincts of Hokoku shrine in Nagahama city, Shiga prefecture during Toka Ebisu festival.

 

Although they look like nothing but western heart shape, they are respectable traditional Japanese design called “Inome” (the word “Ino “ is a short name for wild boars and “me” means eyes in Japanese). As its name suggests, the name comes from a shape of boars’ eye and it has a wish for the magic of the beast’s eye to protect us.

 

From now on, every time I visit old buildings, I am pretty sure that I will look for hearts…

 

“Inome” which I found at a building (I am not sure of its official name) located by the side of the entrance gate (called "Torii") to the main hall.

 

The same as above

 

There was an inome on a lantern at the side of the main hall.
Furthermore, the board that is attached to under the roof has an interesting name, "Gegyo".

 

T.S

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