Kujukuri beach, one of the longest beaches in JAPAN

Our town is located in the "Kujukuri" beach, one of the longest beaches in Japan.

"Kujuku" means ninety nine in Japanese.
"ri" is a unit of length in old Japanese system of weights and measures.

It's the nearest beach from Tokyo.

Minamoto no Yoritomo (Japanese warrior and established a new government, the Kamakura Bakufu) ordered the measurement of the beach, and "99" arrows were stuck on the sand.

It's said people started living in this area about 500 years ago.

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Traditional Japanese Kimono - Pongee

Oshima Tsumugi is a traditional Kimono of Amami-oshima (the main island of the Amami-shoto on the southern side of Kagoshima prefecture), one of the highest quality silk pongee Kimono in JAPAN. 

It is the oldest dyed fabric with a tradition of more than 1300 years, made from hand-woven, and is dyed with a special mud and with fluid extracts taken from trees and plants.

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Zen word, "拈華微笑" Nenge misho

It's 10:45am Thursday, 33 degrees here! 

Zen word, 拈華微笑 (ねんげみしょう / Nenge misho / holding a flower and subtly smiling) 


One day, the Sakyamuni Buddha gathered his disciples to give a lecture as he often would do when he had messages to share with them.
While the disciples were watching the Sakyamuni Buddha, he silently held up a flower.
Although the disciples tried to capture the meaning of his message, they couldn't find the answer.
However, one of the disciples, Mahakasyapa, gazed at the flower and broke into a smile.
Sakyamuni Buddha realized that Mahakasyapa had understood the meaning of his action.


"I possess the true Dharma eye, the marvelous mind of Nirvana, the true form of the formless, the subtle Dharma gate that does not communicate with words or letters but is a special transmission outside of the scriptures.
This I entrust to Mahakasyapa."

The Dharma gate in Buddha's words is thought to be the origin of Zen.




Flower: Campanula punctata
Japanese Sweets: Kohaku Jelly

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Kadō, The Japanese Way of Flowers

Japanese flower arrangement is thought to have developed from the practice of making offerings of flowers at Shinto and Buddhist rites.

Among traditional Japanese cultural practices, it is the only art that involves the cutting of life, namely that of the flowers.

The placing of flowers in the tokonoma, or alcove of the main room, is an articulation of Japanese spirituality that is distinctly different from other forms of artistic expression.

http://www.japancultureagency.com/en_japan_culture_01.html

Have a beautiful day!!

Flowers:
Deutzia gracilis (ひめうつぎ / 姫空木 / himeutsugi)
Japanese gentian (りんどう / 竜胆 / rindou)
Hypericum (ヒペリクム / hiperikumu)

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Japanese manner - How to use Fukusa, Part.2 (Mourning event)

The differences between Buddhist and Shinto funeral are subtle in Japan.

御佛前: "ご ぶつ ぜん / Gobutsuzen" is used at Buddhist memorial after the forty-ninth day after the death. You can used to older or superior people.
御仏前: "ご ぶつ ぜん / Gobutsuzen" is used at Buddhist memorial after the forty-ninth day after the death. You can used to younger or inferior people.
御霊前: "ご れい ぜん / Goreizen" is used at Buddhist and Shinto memorial before completion of the funeral.
御香奠: "お こう でん / Okouden" is used at Buddhist memorial.
御香典: "お こう でん / Okouden" is used at Buddhist memorial.
御玉串料: "おん たま ぐし りょう / Ontamagushiryō" is used at Shinto memorial.
御榊料: "お さかき りょう / Osakakiryou" is used at Shinto memorial.

These are written on the cover of the envelope for condolence monetary gifts upon Shinto and Buddhist memorial ceremonies in JAPAN.

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Formal mourning kimono for the funeral

Formal mourning kimono called Mofuku is black with five kamon (family crest) on the sleeves and shoulders, and is usually worn by family and others who are close to the deceased. 

The formal crest is the resist-dyed crest called "Somenuki hinata mon" that is represented by white and black. The five crest can be worn for the mourning in JAPAN.

Have a beautiful week!!

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Japanese manner - How to use Fukusa, Part.1 (Happy events)

Japanese manner - How to use Fukusa (Japanese textile used for funerals, weddings, and other ceremonial occasions). It is a Japanese etiquette to use for celebration gratuities. 

There is no distinction of sex for shapes or colors. 

Priority: "左右地天" (Left-Right-Ground-Sky or Heaven). 

If you have a question about Japanese manner, please contact us.

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