Every New Year’s Eve, Buddhist temples across Japan ring their bells exactly 108 times. The ringing starts late into the evening and continues on into the first day of the year. The most common and popular theory as to why … Read More
Cana feudal era General and famed military strategist act as a modern day Cupid?(Episode One: Setting the scene) Can a feudal era General and famed military strategist act as a modern day Cupid? Episode Four: Still in the hole. … Read More
Have you ever heard the Japanese word “Hatsumode”? Visiting to shrines and temples at the beginning of the year is called “Hatsumotode” and it is a traditional part of Japanese culture. Japanese have tutelary god in their communities at the … Read More
Cana feudal era General and famed military strategist act as a modern day Cupid?(Episode One: Setting the scene) Can a feudal era General and famed military strategist act as a modern day Cupid? Episode Three: Winter sets in. A … Read More
NEWS FLASH! We interrupt the regularly scheduled programming to bring you this special bulletin. On December 14th, crowds of history fans will descend upon Sengakuji Temple in Takanawa! Here’s why: SENGAKUJI TEMPLE AND THE AKOU INCIDENT The 14th of … Read More
Cana feudal era General and famed military strategist act as a modern day Cupid?(Episode One: Setting the scene) Can a feudal era General and famed military strategist act as a modern day Cupid? Episode Two: Enter Ushiwakamaru During late … Read More
One of the most famous names in Japanese history is Sugawara no Michizane. This name is known all over Japan and is considered as much of a household name as Ieyasu Tokugawa. Sugawara no Michizane is enshrined in hundreds of … Read More
An “onsen” is a Japanese hot spring, including the bathing facilities and inns frequently situated around them. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsens scattered throughout its length and breadth. While earthquakes occur often in Japan, it … Read More
ZENDOUJI Temple, Tarui town, Gifu Prefecture Can a feudal era General and famed military strategist act as a modern day Cupid? Episode One: Setting the scene Since the beginning is always a good place to start, let me start with … Read More
The Kencho-ji Temple is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan, and ranks first out of five temples that are called “Kamakura’s Five Mountain Zen Temples.” This temple was built in 1253, which was the fifth year of the Kencho … 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
11 Yokote Snow Festival Every year on February 15th, beginning 450 years ago, there is a traditional event in honor of the Japanese water deity. The word “kamakura” means “igloo.” During the Kamakura festival, you can see many big Kamakura … Read More