In my opinion, one of the best expressions of real traditional Japanese culture are the festivals. Every year there are thousands of festivals that take place in different locations all across Japan, and all for different purposes. This particular picture was taken at the Fushimi-inari Taisha shrine (a popular location for Shinto worship) in Kyoto during the annual fire festival. Because this is the largest Shinto shrine in all of Japan, many festivals take place here and most of them have to do with the worship of some aspect of nature (such as rice harvesting or moon viewing). What is particularly amazing about this shrine is the large number of red torii gates which line the paths running behind the buildings. The word 'Inari' signifies that this particular temple is sacred to a deity named Ukano Mitama no Okami; the divinity of Fushimi-Inari Shrine is said to bring prosperous business and large harvests. Therefore, many people visit this shrine every year to pay their tributes.
These two photographs represent some of the traditional aspects of Japanese culture that will undoubtably be found at any festival you visit in Japan. In this case, the first picture shows some of the items that are thrown into the fires at the fire festival: rice, salt and leaves from the surrounding area. These items are used because they represent purity (as both salt and rice are white in color, which match the ceremonial garbs worn by the Shinto priests. The second photo shows some Japanese women singing some traditional Japanese songs while being accompanied by the beautiful sound of the Koto- a traditional Japanese instrument which was derived from the Chinese zither. It is the national instrument of Japan and so has obviously played a large part in traditional Japanese culture.
So, if you want to experience some really good traditional Japanese culture, visit any festival and you are sure to find something new and exciting.
**If you want to learn more about Shinto in Japan, check out this informative website:
1 comment:
Shinto is certainly an appropriate subject to discuss when considering traditional Japanese culture. Is Shinto custom or religion? Or both?
Fushimi Inari is the largest shrine in Japan? Really? In terms of what?
The instrument you have pictured is the koto, not the biwa.
It seems as though you could have found a more academic and informative link/source on Shinto.
What is the source of the information your provide?
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