During my time in Mie prefecture, I visited Shitennoji Temple on the morning of Friday, June 30th. When I arrived at the temple, I walked the grounds and was introduced to the site’s building. Next, I participated in a Zazen … Read More
On Friday, June 30th, I stayed at the Waqoo Horyuji Hotel in Nara prefecture. Located on the approach to the World Heritage Site of Horyuji Temple, Waqoo Horyuji is a hotel that is a modern interpretation of a shukubo (temple … Read More
On Monday, June 19th, 2023, I participated in a wadaiko lesson in Shinjuku City, Tokyo prefecture. Wadaiko is a traditional Japanese drum also referred to as taiko. Wadaiko dates back to the 6th century and is very important to Japanese … Read More
On Friday, June 2, 2023, I visited the National Archives of Japan and the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. Located next to each other, both museums can easily be seen in the same morning or afternoon. Both are located … Read More
Yushima Tenjin Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Bunkyo City, Tokyo prefecture originally established in 458 A.D. The shrine was rebuilt in 1948, and after numerous reconstructions and restorations, a new all-cypress shrine pavilion was constructed in 1995. Located near … Read More
Sitting cross-legged on the ground and looking down, half focusing on the black line that runs across the floor, I catch out of the corner of my eye the Buddhist priest’s movement. His barefoot feet make muted sound on the … Read More
We were welcomed at the Nichirenshu Saichuzan Joshoji by Itou-sensei, who was the head priest of the temple as well as master of the aikido dojo connected to the temple and shown to the main prayer hall. As we entered … Read More
Martial arts: the popular image that this phrase conjures is one of sage masters, fast striking action heroes, and disciplined training. Aikido falls into this nebulous and often misunderstood category. One might expect (as I did) that aikido training would … Read More
We’ve all seen it in movies: the Buddhist monk sitting still in the Lotus position, legs crossed, and their hands joined in a specific formation, their eyes closed in concentration. This is how mainstream media has simplified Buddhism, but there … Read More
Twice a year on the last day of June and December, Shinto shrines participate in a ceremony called Oharae. During the Oharae, the Torii pathway leading to the shrine is transformed with hundreds of people attending this ritual. The … Read More
What is Sendazuru?-The most beautiful Origami: Senbazuru Have you ever heard of the story of Sadako Sasaki? The 12-year-old Sadako Sasako developed leukemia right after the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima. She tried to make 1,000 Origami cranes in order to … Read More
There are many factors that go along with becoming a Buddhist monk. It is generally understood that monks live drastically different lifestyles than most people, however, people rarely consider their diets. Along with the other unique aspects of their lives, … Read More