カテゴリー別アーカイブ: Japanese Culture

PRAYER OFFERING MANNERS AT SHRINES AND TEMPLES

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はてなブックマーク - PRAYER OFFERING MANNERS AT SHRINES AND TEMPLES
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When visiting shrines and temples, I often get confused on the prayer offering manners. It is quite alike at shrines and temples. Below is a quick simple explanation on the two different manners.


SHRINES
   A facility to worship the god of Shinto

神社 神社2

First, bow once facing the main hall before entering the shrine gate, or “TORII”.
torii

The wash basin would be your first stop.
water
Please purify yourself by taking the ladle in your right hand to scoop a cup full of water.
Use one fifth of the water to wash your left hand and the same for your right hand after switching the ladle onto your left hand. Bring the ladle back to your right hand and drip one fifth of the water onto your cupped left palm. Use this water to cleanse your mouth and finally wash your left hand with the remaining water. Finally, place the ladle back so that the cup is facing upward. This way, the remaining water will drip down the handle and clean it.

Once you arrive at the main hall, throw a few coins into the offering box as monetary offerings.
offering box
If there is a bell, you can ring it to before offering your prayer. It is meant to get the god’s attention.
Finally, time to offer your prayers.

神社3 
Bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice and join your palms when offering your prayers. Lastly, bow once.
Before leaving the shrine grounds, bow again to the main hall before exiting the shrine gate.

 

TEMPLE    Originally temples were homes of practicing Buddhists.
( “Oshakasama” is the Japanese name for Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. )

寺3 寺7
Before entering the temple gate or “SANMON”, place your palms together and bow once.
寺4 寺5

The same process for purification at the wash basin applies here and the procedure would be the same as when visiting shrines, as above.
寺6

Although many temples do not allow the general public to ring the bell, if there is a notice permitting this, feel free to do so. It is meant to get the attention of the gods and inform them you have come to visit.

If there are incenses or candles, make offerings using these steps as follows.
寺2 incense
First, purchase incense or candles by paying the designated cost. Some temples do not set a cost and instead, accept the amount you feel fit to pay for these.
If offering candles, only one should be lit. Some sectors designate three for number of incense, but if it is not specified, one should be good enough.

Enter the main hall and throw a few coins in to the offering box as monetary offerings.
寺8 

Place your palms together and bow once at a 45 to 90 degree angle. At this time, offer your prayers. There is no hand clapping at temples as compared to shrines. After you are done with your prayers, bow lightly before leaving the main hall.
寺 
Before exiting the temple gate, face the main hall and bow once.

 

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カテゴリー: Japanese Culture, Tokyo Living Information, Useful Information | コメントをどうぞ

Hamarikyu Gardens (Hamarikyu Onshi Teien)

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はてなブックマーク - Hamarikyu Gardens (Hamarikyu Onshi Teien)
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”Hamarikyu Gardens”, a large Japanese garden, lies in halfway between Hamatsucho Sta. and Shinbashi Sta. on JR Yamanote Line, near Shiodome Sta. on Ooedo Line and facing Tokyo Bay.

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This garden was initially developed as a villa for Tokugawa Shogun family in Edo era (in 17th century). It completed the development to have the present form when Ienari Tokugawa, the 11th Shogun, was in his throne.
After Meiji era, it became an annex for the imperial family and changed the name to “Hamarikyu”. Presently, it is designated as national special place of scenic beauty and historical importance, and is partially opened to public for fees.

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Trees for all seasons are planted in a beautifully organized garden; which harmonize with ponds, a teahouse and flower gardens gracefully.

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The 300 years old pine trees planted in Edo era are worth seeing.

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Hours: 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. (The entrance closes after 4:30 p.m.)

 

Rental Apartments near Hamarikyu Gardens.

Exterior Sky House Hamarikyu
It is a hotel-like tower apartment overlooking Tokyo Bay and large Hamarikyu Onshi Gardens. Access to the Haneda Airport is excellent. The extensive facitlies include a fitness gym and a private lounge.
Exterior Tokyo Twin Parks  Right Wing   
Tokyo Twin Parks Left Wing
Hotel-like reception service and interior quality. Neighboring to the large ‘Hamarikyu’ garden. Top-class residential complex.
La Tour Shiodome La Tour Shiodome
Panoramic view of Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Tower, and Odaiba Area. Hotel-like residential service. Fitness gym available. High-grade tower apartment next to Shiodome Sio-site and Hamarikyu Park.
white tower hamamatsucho

White Tower Hamamatsucho
Accessible to 5 stations of 8 lines. 10 minutes to ‘Shiodome Station’ of Oedo Line and Yurikamome Line. 13 minutes to JR Shimbashi Station. Concierge service available.

 

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カテゴリー: Japanese Culture, Place to go in Tokyo, Tokyo Living Information | コメントをどうぞ

JAPANESE FUNERALS

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はてなブックマーク - JAPANESE FUNERALS
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Funerals are never happy news. We all wish that we do not have to face our beloved ones in such a setting. However, when we do, we want to express our deep condolences by mourning and praying for them. Understanding and knowing the traditional Japanese funeral manners will help us express respect to the deceased as well as to their families and relatives.

Japanese religion lies in Buddhism and although details of practices can vary depending on sects, general practice is shared. Also, even when Buddhism is not regularly practiced in the family, funerals tend to be based on the Buddhist style when held.

FUNERAL WAKES AND MEMORIAL SERVICE
 

OTSUYA (Wake ceremony)
“Otsuya” is a ceremony where close family and relatives regret parting of their loved one by staying up the whole night in the same room with the departed. Originally, only the bereaved and close relatives attended. However, in the recent years, it has become so that persons who are unable to attend the memorial (funeral) ceremony, stop by to show their condolences. Make sure to inform the bereaved of your visit before hand in this case.
Wake ceremonies are therefore announced and usually start from 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. and lasts for 1-2 hours.

SOUGI (Funeral ceremony)
“Sougi/Soshiki” is a ceremony where close relatives gather to pray for repose of the departed soul and peace for its spirit.

KOKUBETSUSHIKI (Memorial ceremony)
“Kokubetsushiki” is a ceremony where friends and acquaintances gather to say their goodbyes.

“Sougi” is to be followed by “Kokubetsushiki”.  However, these ceremonies are often times joined together as one ceremony. At this time, this ceremony would be referred to as “Sougi / Kokubetsushiki”.

*“Osoushiki” (Funeral) refers to the whole funeral process including the above ceremonies and the cremation ceremony.

WHAT TO WEAR
Funeral1
Men
Black formal suit with white business shirt, black ties and no tie pins. Belts, socks, shoes should also be black
Dark navy or grey suits are okay for wakes.

Women 
Black formal one-piece dress suit or a black formal kimono.  Bags, shoes, stockings should also be black.
Shiny material such as enamel, as well as leather and furs are considered improper (Leather bags/shoes are okay). 
No ccessories should be worn except for marriage ring, and a single pearl necklace, if any.  Black or dark colored suits or one-piece dress should be okay for wakes.

OKODEN (Offering/Condolence money)
Okoden started out when incense was offered at funerals to comfort the soul of the deceased. This incense scent worked as a deodorizer after the earth burial. In the past, Okoden has turned into rice or vegetable offerings as well, however, in the present, since the host of the funeral prepares the necessities, the offering turned to cash as a meaning to bear cost of the incense and also, as a show of mutual support towards the bereaved for their unexpected expense.
Crisp new bills should never be used for Okoden. This comes from the thought that preparation of new bills suggests unfortune had been foresaw. The amount varies on your relationship with the deceased.  5,000 yen or 10,000 yen should be appropriate for friend/colleague.  Be careful to avoid the numbers 4 and 9 at funerals. 4 can be read as “shi” in Japanese, which sounds the same as death and 9 can be read as “ku” and this can suggest the word “kurushii” which means suffering.


INCENSE OFFERING
Move to the position in front of the altar and bow to the bereaved relatives. Move to the altar and bow deeply.
Take one step forward to offer incense.  After you have finished offering incense, place the balms of your hands together in prayer and slightly lower your head.
Take one step back facing the altar and bow deeply before returning to your seat.

2 types of incense: MAKKO and SENKO

funeral 3
MAKKO- incense powder
Using the 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) of your right hand, take a pinch of the powder incense.
Lower your head slightly and bring it to your forehead before sprinkling them into the incense burner.
Repeat this 1-3 times. The number of times for this process depends on the religious sect.

funeral 2
SENKO-incense stick
Pick up the incense using your right hand and light it with the candle.  Number of incense here can be 1-3 depending on the religious sect.   Use your left hand to put out the flame. Take caution never to blow out the flame.
Place it in the incense burner. Again, depending on the religious sect, the incense will be either laid down or set up.  If you will be setting up the incense, place it
slightly apart from each other to prevent smoke from clouding together and also place it in the rear section so that following attendees will have enough space to place their incense.

 

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カテゴリー: Japanese Culture, Tokyo Living Information, Useful Information | コメントをどうぞ

NIHON TEIEN – JAPANESE GARDENS

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はてなブックマーク - NIHON TEIEN – JAPANESE GARDENS
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Japanese gardens (Nihon Teien) have their own unique structure.
Unlike Western gardens, which are usually laid out symmetrically, the ponds, hills, rocks, trees and such, of a traditional Japanese garden are scattered unequally, yet produce a curious balance.
There are several types of Japanese garden, one being the Karesansui (dry landscape), made primarily of rocks, without ponds or streams.  Also called Sekitei (stone garden), these terms refer especially to gardens like those of Kyoto’s Ryoan and Daitoku temples.
Such gardens reflect the Zen thought of the Muromachi period.

  

There are some Nihon Teien you can visit in Tokyo:

 

HAMARIKYU ONSHI TEIEN
Address: 1-1, Hamarikyu Teien, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Access: 7 minutes walk from Shiodome Station or Tsukiji-shijo Station on Toei Oedo Line.

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KOISHIKAWA KORAKUEN
Address: 1-6-6, Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minutes walk from Iidabashi Station on Oedo Line,
               8 minutes walk from Iidabashi Station on Sobu /Tozai/Yurakucho/Namboku Line  

 

RIKUGIEN GARDEN
Address: 6-16-3, Hon-Komagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2 minutes from Komagome Station on JR Yamanote Line or Namboku Line.

 

SHINJUKU GYOEN
Address: Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Gyoen Station on Marunouchi Line or 10 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station.

 

KYU SHIBA-RIKYU ONSHI TEIEN
Address: 1-4-1, Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1 minute walk from Hamamatsu-cho Station on JR Line or 5 minutes walk from Daimon Station on Toei Oedo Line.

 

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カテゴリー: Japanese Culture, Place to go in Tokyo, Tokyo Living Information | コメントをどうぞ

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

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はてなブックマーク - HOW OLD ARE YOU?
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How old are you? – Oikutsu desuka?
We get so many questions from expats everyday.

Please see below the answers for the questions we are often asked:

1. License for Motorbikes & Vehicles
 

  Motorbikes over 50cc~under 400cc: age of 16 and over
  Motorbikes over 400cc: age of 18 and over
  Ordinary Vehicles: age of 18 and over
  Heavy Vehicles: age of 20 and over with at least 2-year driving experience of ordinary vehicle.
  About International license, please check our previous blog
here.

2. Drinking and Smoking
 
 

  Must be over 20-year of age to drink alcohol and smoking cigarettes.

3. Voting Age
 

  Age of 20 and over

4. Marriage Age
 

  Male: 18 Female: 16  *Need parents’ permission if they are under the age of 20.

5. Mandatory Education
 
 

  9 years in total. 6 years in Elementary (age 7-12), and 3 years in Junior High School (age 13-15).
  School Grades’ cut off date is the 1st of April, and a new school year starts in April.
*Fees for buses and trains, up to 12-year old (Elementary School) it will be a half price of adults’ fees.
  When they enter Junior High School they must pay the full fee.

 

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カテゴリー: Japanese Culture, Tokyo Living Information, Useful Information | コメントをどうぞ