Every August Japan celebrates o-bon, the time of year when ancestors return to the world of the living. People celebrate by lighting fires, holding special dances in the town square, and visiting their family graves.
Tag Archives: Japanese history
関 (kan) “barrier, connection, boundary”
This kanji character is rarely used on its own, but is often found combined with other characters. One meaning is “barrier”. There used to be many post stations along the road from Tokyo to Kyoto. At the mid-way point there was a large gate. This led to people thinking of towns in Japan as beingContinueContinue reading “関 (kan) “barrier, connection, boundary””
和 (wa) “peace”
This kanji also means “Japanese style” (opposed to “Western style”) as it is an ancient name for Japan. It can also be pronounced “Yamato”.
仁 (jin) “benevolence”
One of the 7 virtues of bushido. “Jin” is also one of the most fundamental virtues of Confucianism (from which much of traditional Japanese morality was based), which could be defined as to treat each other with tenderness; to love each other. Samurai were expected to be benevolent. However, this was not the blind benevolenceContinueContinue reading “仁 (jin) “benevolence””
Excerpt from the Heart Sutra
是諸法空相 = All phenomena bear the mark of Emptiness 不生不滅 = no Birth no Death 不垢不浄 = no Defilement no Purity 不増不減 = no Increasing no Decreasing (Translation by Thich Nhat Hanh) The Heart Sutra is one of the most important sutras (religious texts) in Buddhism. It celebrates the idea that all things of theContinueContinue reading “Excerpt from the Heart Sutra”
礼 (rei) “courtesy”
One of the 7 virtues of bushido, the samurai code of chivalry.
勇 (i-sa-mu) bravery
One of the 7 virtues of bushido, the samurai code of chivalry.
武士道 (bushido) “The Way of the Warrior”
The samurai moral code, guiding attitude, behaviour and lifestyle.
Calligraphy by Vicky 