tagged w/ Shinto
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Every year on January 6th, to celebrate the coming year, the current sumo champion(s), Yokozuna, come to Meiji Shrine and perform a Dohyo-iri or ring-entering ceremony. For Yokozuna there are two styles - Unryu the more common is seen as a defensive stance and Shiranui is a more offensive stance. They are named after Yokozuna by those names - though there is debate that there was a mix up and that each wrestler actually performed the other's style.
Anyway, Hakuho performs the less common Shiranui style dohyo-iri and wears a Shiranui style rope which has two loops in the bow. I read somewhere there is a superstition that Shiranui has brought bad luck to previous Yokozuna who performed that style. It remains to be seen if Hakuho will escape such a fate.Every year on January 6th, to celebrate the coming year, the current sumo champion(s),... more
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Joma Shinji is a Japanese archery ritual performed on Jan 5th for the new year to drive away evil spirits. A large target is set up with the kanji character of "oni" (devil) placed upside on the backside of it. Hitting the target is believed to drive evil away and bring good luck in the coming year.Joma Shinji is a Japanese archery ritual performed on Jan 5th for the new year to... more
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Akademi Fantasia Travel » Blog Archive » Hadaka Matsuri “Naked” Festival Photos
Yepper,. . . . that about sums it up ; a bunch of "naked" dudes running around in Japan in loin cloths,...with at least ONE actual butt-naked dude involved ! Huzzah ! ( Uhm,....BANZAI !?! )
There IS of course some actual history and cultural back-story associated with this,......but frak IT,....wikipediaphile THAT for yourself !
( note - - -this it tagged "NOT boobies" - - -go figure )
http://www.akademifantasia.org/?p=2230&utm_source=wahoha.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wahohaAkademi Fantasia Travel » Blog Archive » Hadaka Matsuri... more
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Sorta weird how this became the globe-trotter episode. I’d seen BABIES a few weeks ago and was going to go with it as the sole focus of the show, then late last week I stumbled onto BEETLE QUEEN CONQUERS TOKYO and — despite the little voice whispering ever so delicately in the back of my head, “YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO BACK OFF THE WORKLOAD, M*TH*F***A!” — I realized I had to cover it as well. Hence, another double-up ep for ya (and just so you’re braced, we’ll be doing it again the week following next).
What changed my mind about BEETLE QUEEN was debuting director Jessica Oreck’s approach to the subject of Japan’s seemingly nationwide fascination for insects. Oreck, who’s also an animal keeper and docent at New York’s American Museum of Natural History, lays the motivations out neatly — turns out much of Japanese culture is rooted historically in the observation and appreciation of creepy, crawly things — and examines how that veneration plays out in contemporary society through a healthy collector’s subculture; commercially marketed supplies for both the support and preservation of pet bugs; and vending machines that dispense live creatures into the eager clutches of the nation’s children (Japan, remember?). But then she takes it further, absorbing the animistic outlook of Shinto and such concepts as mono no aware and using them to model the film as a meta-presentation of the philosophies that drive the country’s appreciation of the natural world. More than just simple nature film or an anthropological examination, BEETLE QUEEN becomes the attitude itself, and a fascinating immersion into another society’s vision of the world.
Director Thomas Balmès has a much simpler mission in BABIES, but with a somewhat similar goal: Travel the world, capture on film the first year-or-so of four babies from markedly different corners of the world, and let the viewer examine what in those initial months are universal, and what is markedly different. The four societies Balmès selects — a tribal group in Namibia; a farming family in Mongolia; and parents in urbane San Francisco and two-minutes-into-the-future Tokyo (again) — all form distinctive incubators for their newest residents. Yet for all that the environments leave their marks on these kids (in one particularly indelible moment, the overstimulated Japanese baby suffers a grand mal meltdown within a nest of playthings), what stands out most is how closely the recently arrived experience their entry into the world. That may not be a revolutionary concept, but it does make for a viewing experience that extends beyond just the obligatory, “Awwwwww.” (But you will probably go, “Awwwwww,” at least once.)
Click on the link to hear the interviews:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-persons/mighty-movie-podcast-emba_b_568738.htmlSorta weird how this became the globe-trotter episode. I’d seen BABIES a few... more
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What's the hottest tourist attraction in Japan this time of year? It's not Mt. Fuji - it's the log riders! In Suwa City, north of Tokyo, people flocked Friday for "Onbashira Matsuri" or "holly pillar festival". The most popular event is the logride which involves five to six men tumbling over a mountain top on a fir log.
Organizers said the festival goes back to over 1,200 years, and is deeply rooted in Japan's indigenous religion Shinto. Its beginnings, shrouded in mystery, are believed to be a ritualized rebuilding of the city's main shrine. Shinto shrines are regularly torn down and rebuilt to symbolize rebirth and renewal.
The person who manages to stay on top of the log for the entire trip down the hill is called "Hana-nori," or splendid rider, and hailed by other participants. Locals say the honour and talismanic protection offered by being Hana-nori is enough to last a life time.What's the hottest tourist attraction in Japan this time of year? It's not... more
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Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri in Nagoya is a Japanese naked festival which could possibly be one of the oldest. This year it was certainly one of the wettest (with the exception of Dairokuten in Chiba where the participants directly jump in a muddy pond and start wrestling).
The original purpose of the festival was to drive away a plague. Today it is performed to get rid of bad luck and bring about good luck and good harvests.
One person is chosen to be the lucky symbol of the festival, the Shinotoko. The Shinotoko is completely shaven and unlike his fundoshi (loincloth) brethren, he is completely naked. The other participants chase him in an attempt to touch him in order to receive good luck.Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri in Nagoya is a Japanese naked festival which could possibly be... more
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The Hadaka Matsuri or Naked Festival in Chiba, Japan where participants in loinclothes fling mud about in a cold pond for the sake of good harvests and good fortune. In actuality they wear loincloths and headbands but nothing much else around the end of February.The Hadaka Matsuri or Naked Festival in Chiba, Japan where participants in loinclothes... more
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Yabusame is a Japanese Shinto ritual involving mounted archery. Archers ride at a full gallop and shoot at three targets set up at certain intervals. Hitting all three, an archer is considered to be very skillful. The ritual is purpose is to bring prosperity and peace.
The video is a complilation of Yabusame events I have been to over the last two years. There are two different schools of Yabusame - Ogasawara Ryu who perform at Asakusa (here 2007&2008) and Takeda Ryu who perform at Meiji Shrine (2006), Miura (2007), and Kamakura (Spring 2007 & Fall 2008)
The song is called "Gunslinger Man" and it fits with the old tradition of samurai on horseback using bows rather than spears and swords as they did later. The Yabusame costume looks rather cowboy-ish.
The music is by the Exotic Ones:
http://www.myspace.com/exoticones
This also a tribute to the memory of a firend of mine who passed away a few years ago:
Jack Hunter Dave, Jr who wrote and sung the song "Gunslinger Man."
http://my.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=87&subpageid=150399&ck=Yabusame is a Japanese Shinto ritual involving mounted archery. Archers ride at a full... more
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Here's a look into a Shinto ritual which uses mounted archery to attain blessings from the gods. Archers ride down a single track and shoot at 3 targets set up on the left at certain intervals. It may look like a sport but it is actually a religious ritual.
The bow once was the chief weapon of the samurai long before the sword. Early samurai referred to their profession as "The Way of the Horse and Bow."Here's a look into a Shinto ritual which uses mounted archery to attain blessings... more
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Mt. Kurama in northern Kyoto comes alive with the fires of hundreds of torches some of them over 15 feet long requiring 4-5 men to carry them. It's a very old tradition going back to the late 8th Century. The torches are used to guide spirits through the human world to their own world so they don't stray and cause mischief. It's a great festival with lots of energy!Mt. Kurama in northern Kyoto comes alive with the fires of hundreds of torches some of... more
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I did not write this although I do agree with it.
SPIRITUALITY vs. RELIGION:
Spirituality says that God is within us, and that we do not need anyone else to make this particular divine connection for us.
Religion says that we are separated from God, and that we need to communicate with and worship this ascended entity in order to make the divine connection.
Spirituality says that we are free to make choices on our own, and that we must accept personal responsibility for our actions.
Religion says that we must make their choices and act their way, depending upon a given religious denomination's belief systems.
The theme of spirituality is fellowship through the employment of unconditional love.
The theme of religion is fellowship through fear and guilt.
Spirituality does not require us to make donations.
Religion has become a big business.
Spirituality says there is no Hell, no judgment, no angry God, and that we are loved unconditionally.
Religion says there is a Hell, God gets angry and judges us. Therefore, we are not loved unconditionally.
Spirituality says we are free to choose our own path to God.
Religion commands us to do it their way, depending upon a particular religious denomination's beliefs.
Spirituality says we go to God to lighten our burden.
Religion has taught us to fear their God, depending upon a particular religious demonination's beliefs.
Spirituality says we should not be ashamed of our sexuality. Rather, it should be a sacred celebration of love.
Religion has taught us to feel ashamed, guilty and dirty about our sexualty.
Spirituality teaches us to honor and respect Mother Earth.
Religion has told us to "Be thou fruitful, multiply and subdue the Earth." I repeat, "... subdue the Earth."
Spirituality reminds us that we are one with God and one with each other.
Religion teaches disunity and separation which is the opposite of God.
Spirituality says God is within everyone and everything.
Religion says God and His messengers reside in Heaven and that "they" are the only intermediaries for us.
Spirituality says we are born in innocence and purity.
Religion says we are born with sin.
Spirituality teaches that we are on a long spiritual adventure and journey which will ultimately end by reuniting with our Source.
Religion says we have got one life to get it all right, and there is nothing but Heaven or Hell after that.
Spirituality says we are free to express.
Religion, over time, fostered the dreaded inquisition.
Spirituality teaches unconditional love for all.
Religion, over time, fostered the Crusades in which many were killed and slaughtered in the name of God.
Spirituality teaches that we should love one another unconditionally and always honor the rights and choices of others.
Religion treated Native Americans, the Mayans and other indigenous cultures as savage primitives who "must be saved."
Spirituality teaches peace and harmony.
Religion has caused more wars and more killing than any other reason.
Spirituality says respect all living things.
I have never once heard any religion say stop slaughtering millions of trees every year for Christ's birthday.
Spirituality teaches us to have faith in ourselves.
Religion teaches us to have faith in them.
Spirituality says we have all the answers, that we can find them by "going within."
Religion teaches us that it has all the answers and only its answers are the right ones.
Spirituality teaches us to search for the Universal Truths, wherefrom our hearts will tell us when we have found them.
Religion teaches we have no choice but to accept their version of the Truth.
Which one feels better to you? Spirituality or religion?
Go to the depths of your heart for the answer for, indeed, it will never lie to you, my friend.I did not write this although I do agree with it.
SPIRITUALITY vs. RELIGION:... more
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“We use Cannabis religiously and you can, too.”
Cultivation and enjoyment of Cannabis sacrament is a fundamental human right provided by God and protected by the first Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It is our opinion that Cannabis is the original sacrament of Hebrew, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Shinto, Buddhist, Rasta and more, and fulfills the prophesies to ‘raise up for them a plant of renown…’
Like the stone of the Bible that the builders rejected, the sacramental use of Cannabis is the cornerstone of the THC Ministry. Our Ministry helps to build your mana by providing a real education in practical Cannabis spirituality. Among other wonderful things, our Ministry helps to protect you from arrest, prosecution and/or conviction of ‘marijuana’ charges - wherever you live - starting as soon as you sign-up, become ordained and receive your ministry documents. We provide a legitimate religious ‘defense to prosecution‘ for sincere practitioners over 21 years old. As in Revelations 22-14, our Mission is to protect your God-given Right to “the tree of life.” If you are under 21-years old, you can still join the ministry if you (1) live independent of your parents, or (2) have your parent’s written permission.
We give thanks to all those in law enforcement who honor their sworn oath of office to defend the Constitutional right to practice our religion as our conscience dictates.
Some day Cannabis and hemp will be legal again in the U.S.A. and all over the world for everyone.
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” - Isaiah 10:27
“We use Cannabis religiously and you can, too.”
Cultivation and... more
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In February, half-naked men in loinclothes and headbands gather in the cold water of a sacred pond to wrestle and sling mud at a shrine on the outskirts of Tokyo. The Dairokuten-no-Hadaka Matsuri is just one of many "naked" festivals in Japan. Hadaka means naked but in actuality the partipants wear a loincloth called a fundoshi. The mudslinging is to ensure good harvest for the year.In February, half-naked men in loinclothes and headbands gather in the cold water of a... more
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Festival in Chiba, Japan where half-naked participants in loinclothes fling mud about in a cold pond in February for the sake of good harvests and good fortune.
Festival in Chiba, Japan where half-naked participants in loinclothes fling mud about... more
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Here's a video on the Japanese Archery Ritual known as Momote Shiki which is held on Seijin-no-Hi/Coming of Age Day in Tokyo, Japan.Here's a video on the Japanese Archery Ritual known as Momote Shiki which is held... more
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On Seijin-no-Hi (Coming-of-Day Day) in Tokyo an archery ritual is held in honor of the new adults to ensure them good fortune. The ritual pre-dates Seijin-no-Hi actually by several centuries. Archers wear a style of kimono worn by samurai 800 years ago.On Seijin-no-Hi (Coming-of-Day Day) in Tokyo an archery ritual is held in honor of the... more
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Last year the weather in Japan particularly Tokyo was so abnormally warm that when I went to this traditional Japanese ritual where participants stand in ice cold water and douse themselves with it, it actually looked refreshing. Al Gore incidentally was in Japan around the same time promoting "An Inconvenient Truth."Last year the weather in Japan particularly Tokyo was so abnormally warm that when I... more
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