japanese Archives

Learn the ninja way and meditate like a monk with an official Japanese live stream

October 4, 2021 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Discover Japan and the iconic Odawara Castle are running two sets of online experiences for visitors around the internet to take part in.

“Japanese Castle and Ninja Culture” and “Mindfulness Meditation with Japanese Monk” start in October and will carry on until March. Neither of the events is free.

Japanese Castle and Ninja Culture

You can find more about this event at the officially run Discover Japan site. That’s also how you can reserve your online spot.

Using Zoom, you’ll meet a ninja scholar and historian for a walk around tour of Odawara Castle. During the session, you’ll learn about the role the castle played in Ninja Culture, the techniques used hundreds of years ago and see some traditional tools.

The session is hosted by Hiroshi Jinkawa, a sensei with years of experience. You can book online.

Mindfulness Experience at Odawara Castle

This 90-minute online meditation takes place with a monk at the top of Odawara Castle, outside of the usual hours, so quiet there.

A chance to forget about your daily burdens, you will spend time together with Tomoni Iwayama, a priest from the Ganshuji Temple. You’ll be with people from different backgrounds and all walks of life, virtually.

With Iwayama’s teachings, you may be able to clear your mind and rediscover human potential. Sign-ups are open at Discover Japan.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think about this use of technology and tours of historic Japanese life? A clever way to support the Castle and its courses through a troubled period, or does it feel wrong?

600 year old Japanese Tsunami warning stone

December 23, 2014 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Hundreds of these centuries-old Tsunami warning stones can be found on the Japanese coastline. The carvings warn readers to head up hills and move to the high ground after any earthquake because of the risk of Tsunami. Some of the carved warning stones have been placed at the high water marks to write down how bad it could be.

As important as these carved stones are I can’t but help to pause and note their beauty too. They look like something you might find in Middle Earth.

In Pure Spirit

Can you think of any other examples where ancient wisdom – like these stones – are as relevant today as they were hundreds of years ago?

I suppose one example might be those herbs which scientists now back as helpful? Sites like HerbsPro in the States, or Home Herbs in the UK along with the cooking centric Pukka Herbs come to mind.

(Via Austin Brown.)

An introduction to five Feng Shui schools

January 9, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Research suggests that Feng Shui is around 6,000 years old, it started in China, then became popular in surrounding countries and latterly the world. It is perhaps not surprising that there are different schools and techniques within Feng Shui. This post looks at five of the most popular Feng Shui schools still used today.

The Eight Directions School

The Eight Directions School uses the Bagua map to calculate and orientate the eight directions over the home’s floor plan. Each direction carries a different energy variant which can either be calmed or enhanced depending on the need. This Japanese technique suggests that both your sleeping and sitting position can influence how much energy you absorb.

The Eight Mansions School

Your date of birth is used to calculate your Kua number (the amount of chi you were born with) and whether you belong to the east or west-life group. Homes facing in one of four directions are a benefit to people belonging to the east-life group and ones homes facing in one of four different directions are beneficial to people from the west-life group. Furthermore, the Eight Mansions School suggests that one half of your home can be positive to you but the other half can actually be negative.

The Flying Star School

This Feng Shui school works in close conjunction with an astrology chart and the date in which the building was constructed. The Bagua map is orientated by the building’s structure and surroundings. A special lo pan compass is then used to help interpret readings.

The Form School

There are four mystic animals in Feng Shui; the dragon, phoenix, tiger and tortoise. The Form School studies the surroundings and landscape to identify the presence of these animals. An ideal home would be able to position some low, solid protection or wall on the right (the tiger) and a lighter but taller structure on the left (the dragon). There should be an open area at the front (the phoenix) and a sturdy area, mountains, trees or hills (the tortoise) behind.

The Three-gate School

The Three-gate School makes significant use of the Bagua map. The Three-gate school uses the front door to centre the Bagua map and uses the life areas on the map to study how chi will flow around the home. The Three-gate school is a relatively new technique and was developed in the 1970s in New York.

Compass and non-compass schools

Feng Shui schools traditionally fit into two different types; compass and non-compass. Compass schools originate from flat plains of China and focus on the movement of the sun. Non-compass schools originate from the mountainous regions of China and focus more on surroundings and shape.

The Eight Directions School is a compass Feng Shui school.
The Eight Mansions School is a compass school.
The Flying Star School is a compass-based school.
The Form School is a non-compass school.
The Three-gate School is a compass Feng Shui school.

In Pure Spirit

Have you any experience in the different schools in Feng Shui? Which of the schools has worked best for you?

Mu and Wu – the question is wrong

November 24, 2008 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

Wu is the Chinese word which equates to Mu in Japanese or Korean. It means ‘none’, ‘not-being’ or ‘without’.

The Mu koan

In Zen Buddhism Mu is used to imply that the question being asked is wrong. The most studied Mu koan has a monk ask Zhaozhou, the Chinese Zen master, “Has a dog Buddha-nature or not?”. Zhaozhou’s answer to the question was “Wu” (or, in Japanese, Mu).

Early Buddhist academiccs debated whether dogs and other animals had a Buddha-nature or not. By answering “Mu” to the question Zhaozhou not only avoided taking sides in the debate, he also avoided following the wisdom of others without denying them. It could also be interpreated that Zhaozhou’s answer implies that yes and no are both right and wrong.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Is Mu ever a valid answer or it is the only valid answer?