…and Japan is no exception.
Preparations for the Chujo-Hime Kuyo Eshiki in Taimadera.
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A ceremony commemorating pious Princess Chujo was held today in Taimadera, Nara Pref.
In addition to Buddhist rites, a procession of Boddhisatvas took place on a narrow catwalk inside the temple grounds.
The masks severely limited vision of the performers, and amateur saints were accompanied by seeing-eye helpers. But two “professional” saints performed a unique dance all the way on an elevated walkway.
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Long time no see, but straight to Show Me Japan by BudgetTrouble blog.
Charms in shrines and temples have their “best before” date. And much like cheese or meat, if charms pass that mark, they might start to stink. Not literally, but they might turn into the source of bad luck.
So you have to dispose them somehow. Both, shrines and temples collect them and claim to burn. Seeing piles of wood, paper, and plastic charms left by followers at the beginning of a new year, I was wondering if, maybe even hoped, they are utilized in a more ecological way.
But it seems not, and here is a proof…
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On the day of Setsubun in Todaiji Temple in Nara, monks chanting Buddhist sutras set fire to a pile of “used” charms brought by visitors to the temple. The ceremony called “Kosatsu Hatsuken” (古札揆遣) takes place behind Nigatsu-do Pavillon.
There is a hill in Nara, where a nice grove could grow. It might give shelter to the deers, birds, and human beings in hot summer days.
It might… if not some crazy Buddhist monks and Shinto priests burning it to the ground every year in January.
As a result, only grass grows on the hill, and that’s why it is called Wakakusa-yama (若草山) – a Young Grass Mountain.
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