Category Archives: Shrines

On Obon: Japan’s Homecoming Game, with Ghosts.

Posted on August 10, 2011 by

There’s an old Buddhist story about a monk named Mahamaudgalyayana – let’s call him Mokuren, for short – who was doing alright, as monks go, and had finally developed the skill of peering into the world of the dead.

Posted in Fun, Shrines, Thinking, Tradition, Uncategorized, Zen | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

On Walking On Fire in Japan

Posted on June 1, 2011 by

The most difficult part of walking on burning coals during a typhoon was finding the right train.

Posted in Shinto, Shrines, Thinking, Tradition, Uncategorized, Video, Zen | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

On Japanese Funerals

Posted on March 28, 2011 by

My first conversation about the earthquake was a week and three days after it struck. In the office, we talked about the peripheries of disaster: Blood donations, fundraisers, TV coverage. We didn’t talk about victims. When the media focused on … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquake, Photography, Shinto, Shrines, Temples and Ruins, Thinking, Tradition, Uncategorized, Zen | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

On Taking a Bath in Japan | お風呂

Posted on October 29, 2010 by

If you are hot, or cold, go soak in a tub. Sitting in a cold bath with a 2 liter of Polcari Sweat after days of suits, airports and 92-degree humidity is euphoric. Now, the cicadas are all dead, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Shinto, Shrines | 6 Comments

Audio: Dazaifu Jinko-Shiki Ceremony

Posted on September 28, 2010 by

A downloadable/streaming audio recording from Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu, Japan. Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Shrines, Temples and Ruins, Zen | 1 Comment