Ise Jingu

strong>Izumo Taishi may be one of the most frequented and popular Shinto shrines in Japan, but so is Ise Jingu. The official name of this Shinto shrine is actually Jingu (translated into The Shrine). However, many tourists refer to it as Ise Jingu, perhaps due to the fact that it is located in the city of Ise, which is in the Mie prefecture, about 2 hours from Nagoya.

So why is Ise Jingu worthy of a visit? This shrine is arguably the most significant of all the Shinto shrines in Japan. It is considered the most sacred shrine in the country. It is important to note, however, that Ise Jingu is actually a large complex composed of countless other shrines. It has two major shrines, the Naiku (or Inner Shrine) and Geku (or Outer Shrine).

Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and supposed ancestor of the Japanese Imperial family, is housed in the Inner Shrine. This is precisely why the Emperor of Japan ceremoniously pays a visit to this shrine on special occasions, such as when he ascends to office. Just how old is this shrine? Just about 2000 years old. The Outer Shrine, on the other hand, houses Toyouke no Omikami, the goddess of harvest. It is newer than the Inner Shrine and is normally visited first.

Ise Jingu is a large complex and in between these two major shrines, you can visit hundreds of other shrines. That is why it is highly suggested that you allot time for a visit to this special place.

Izumo Taishi

In the previous post, we had a brief overview of the Shinto religion, which is considered to be Japan’s indigenous religion. One of the most important aspects of this religion is the shrine, the place where the gods are ensconced and where those who practice the religion go to worship. In Japan, there are countless Shinto shrines, some of which are considered World Heritage Sites. Among these shrines, one of the most famous is Izumo Taishi, or Izumo Grand Shrine in English.

Izumo Taishi is actually considered to be the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan today and is frequently visited by those who practice Shinto and tourists (local and foreign) alike. Aside from being the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan, Izumo Taishi also has the distinction of following a purely Japanese architectural style. This style is called Taisha-tsukuri.

The Grand Shrine is located in Taisha in the Shimane Prefecture. It hosts two major festivals – the Imperial Festival held on the 14th of May and the Grand Festival on the 14th and 15th of May. Izumo Taishi is dedicated to the nephew of the Sun Goddess, whose name is Okuninushi no Mikoto. Okuninushi is actually considered to be the god of marriage and because of this, visitors to the shrine are supposed to clap four times (instead of the usual two that is required when visiting shrines) – the first two are for the person doing the action while the second two are for that person’s partner.

Izumo Taishi was renovated some months ago and visitors were given the chance to visit the most sacred of places – something that is not normally done. After the renovations are done, however, the usual closed sections will go back to being barred from the public.

The Shinto Religion

Just like in many other countries, the Japanese people have many different religions. At the same time, there is one major religion that can be called indigenous to the country. In Japan, this is the Shinto religion. An interesting thing about the Japanese is that many do not think that one has to practice a single religion. In fact, there are some Japanese who may practice Shintoism but at the same time be Christian.

So what is the Shinto religion all about? Historians say that the Shinto religion dates back to 500 BCE. Their main belief is that objects in nature have spirits in them and that they have their own powers. These spirits, also considered gods, are called kami. When people and other natural objects such as rocks and trees exhibit greatness, they can become gods themselves and are called kami-kaza.

One focal point in the Shinto religion are the Shinto shrines. Currently, there are about 1,400 Shinto shrines in Japan. Those who practice the Shinto religion frequent the Shinto shrines for a variety of purposes. Just like with other religions, these shrines are considered to be places of worship. They are also visited when people want to celebrate something in their lives. They can also serve as places where people can seek guidance.

Although the principal worship is conducted in public shrines, many families in Japan have their own small Shinto shrines at home. These are usually basically high shelves which contain the objects of worship.

Melamine Scare Hits Japan

Weeks after the initial fracas about the tainted milk products from China hit the world, things have died down a bit. I still see milk and other dairy products on sale in supermarkets today. Though they most probably do NOT contain melamine, it is imperative for the sellers to lower their prices in order to attract people who might otherwise stay away from these products due to the scare.

In Japan, however, a recent discovery has reawakened the fears of a lot of people. A popular pizza chain, Saizeriya, discovered that the dough they have been using contained traces of melamine. This was because they used milk powder to make the dough. Apparently, the milk powder was imported from China.

If you remember, melamine is known to have made countless babies sick in China. Melamine is a chemical that is used to manufacture various industrial products, most of which is plastic. You can just imagine what this kind of chemical can do to one’ health.

In any case, the pizza chain is reported to have stated that the tainted ingredient was imported way before the Japanese government put high restrictions on goods imported from China. If there is a good side to this story, it is that the amount of powdered milk used in the pizza dough is not enough to make the melamine amounts toxic. In fact, not a single person has been reported to be affected by the contaminated pizza dough.

Bleach The Movie: Memories Of Nobody

Anime and manga lovers rejoice – especially if you live near the DC area. On the 24th of October, the DC Anime Club and the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan are presenting Bleach The Movie: Memories Of Nobody. If you want to see this movie, you just have to go to the Japanese Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan at 6:30 pm of that day.

So what is the movie about? Active Anime describes it as:

In Karakura Town, there has been a sudden outbreak of unidentifiable spirits called “blanks” (vacant souls) while in the skies of Soul Society, the real world has been reflected. A mysterious female shinigami called Senna has appeared before Ichigo along with a man named Ganryu, leading a group called the “Dark Ones”.

If you are an anime fan and you have not heard of the DC Anime Club before, then it is about time that you did. They have been around since 2003 and their primary aim is to make use of anime and manga to make people aware of the Japanese culture. They hold a wide variety of activities including the following:

An Annual Art Show, an Annual Costume fundraising event, and visits local schools to do presentations on anime. The club also works with the Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings, and has helped locally promote performances for Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi and Pine am.

Japanese Car Makers And The F1

As I write this post, people in Japan are eagerly awaiting the start of the Japanese Grand Prix. In twenty minutes or so, the green lights will light up and the F1 cars will be revving up their engines, F1 drivers totally focused on finishing first. Though not many might be aware of it, Japan has a considerable role in the F1. I have already written a post on Nakajima, the sole Japanese driver. Then there is the Japanese Grand Prix. But there are also other Japanese players, namely two car manufacturers.

I just read a feature article on how Honda and Toyota play their own roles in the F1. I never really paid much attention to them, to be honest, but this article has changed my perspective.

Today, both teams are on the threshold of change. Which one surfaces victorious will help determine their programs for the future, for they each approach Formula One in fundamentally different ways.

“We all know that the Japanese culture is non-confrontational,” said Ross Brawn, the director of the Honda team. “Racing European culture is often confrontational. It’s finding the balance in all those different elements that to me is the fascinating thing of being part of this team.”

Blending the Japanese culture into how they perceive the racing world puts a whole new perspective. Honda and Toyota may not be as high profile as Ferrari and McLaren but the F1 will not be the same without them.

Japanese Night Race In The Books?

We’ve all experienced the hype about the first ever Singapore F1 night race. Some of you might even have experienced it yourselves. We had planned on going to watch it but certain things came up that disallowed that possibility. We had to content ourselves on watching the events unfold on TV.

Here’s another bit of news to you F1 enthusiasts out there, though. It is rumored that the big boss of F1, Bernie Ecclestone, is planning on making the Japanese Grand Prix into a night race as well. BBC
has this report:

And asked if more floodlit races were planned, Ecclestone told BBC Radio 5 Live: “If we have more races in this part of the world, yes.

“We’re going to try to get Japan to do it. I hope when people see Singapore they realise it wasn’t a stupid idea.”

I am quite happy to hear this piece of news due to several things. For one, I know that a lot of people have always had this fascination for the country and its culture. For people who are interested in both the country and F1 racing, this turn of events is definitely a cause for celebration! Another reason is that we all know how technologically advanced Japan is. Perhaps it is even safe to say that they are the best when it comes to technology. If the Singapore night race was a success in many areas – including technology – can you just imagine how much better a night race in Japan would be?

The Passion For Ferris Wheels

If you have ever been to Osaka, you would know about one of the first things that people notice upon arrival – a gigantic red ferris wheel. Dubbed the Hep Five Ferris Wheel, this structure is at the roots of the Japanese people’s passion for this ride. Come to think of it, not too many people would probably know about this passion. That’s why I thought to share excerpts from a feature article in Yomiuri Shimbun:

The Hep Five Ferris wheel is one of the first such rides in the nation to be installed not in an amusement park but in the heart of a city.

The advertisement was carried on a guide map for an exposition held from April to June 1906 at Tennoji Park in Tennoji Ward to commemorate victory in the war. The ride was one of the expo’s featured attractions.

Today, this ride is an ubiquitous part of amusement parts and fairs – in Japan and other parts of the world.

Millbrae’s Third Annual Japanese Culture Festival

If you live around the Bay Area, get ready to discover and enjoy a celebration of the Japanese culture tomorrow, October 5, as it is Millbrae’s Third Annual Japanese Culture Festival. Every year, for three years now, the people of Milbrae have been gathering to share everything Japanese. From dances to food to other performances – you can find it all in this festival.

The Daily Journal has this report:

The festival shares the opportunity to learn more about the Japanese culture through a whole day of performances. Alyse Goni, Millbrae Recreation liaison to the Japanese Cultural Center, defines the festival’s mission to be the acknowledging of the Bay Area Japanese community that is here and to showcase the culture for the surrounding communities.

“We think that it is important to invite people of all cultural backgrounds to discover and enjoy ancient traditions, as well as the modern and reflect on the changes,” Goni said.

The day will begin with a short concert showcasing Japan’s national instrument, the Koto. The Koto is approximately 6 feet in length and offers 13 strings to pluck. Giving two performances, Japanese dancers have flown across the Pacific Ocean from Japan to present beautiful traditional dances. Following will be folk songs and a 15-minute Japanese comedic play.

To cap off the afternoon, there will be an energetic, heart-pounding Taiko presentation. Taiko is a Japanese word that means drum and it is an art form not to miss.

This festival is very important to Japanese-Americans in the area as it is their chance to get in touch with their roots once again. For us who are not of Japanese descent, it is still something to experience.

Japanese Lacquer Art

I have recently embarked on a home improvement project – well, actually, I am moving to another unit in my building. I have never been good at interior design and my apartments have always looked like the typical single’s pad – cozy and lived-in, as I like to put it. This time, however, I have this urge to decorate even before I move in. As such, I have engaged the services of a carpenter and painter to work on the unit weeks before I move. I am also actively looking for art pieces that I can use for the house. That’s when I discovered the art of Japanese lacquer.

If you are at a loss, think about cabinets, boxes, and similar items which are covered in fine lacquer. Think intricate designs and the colors of black and red. These are the most common visuals that come to mind when lacquer is mentioned. The fact is that there are many kinds of Japanese lacquer. They differ in the manufacturing process as well as the visual result.

Some experts say that lacquer started in China although evidence shows that this art was used in ancient Japan, as early as 10,000 to 250 BC. The purpose of lacquer application back then was not only for aesthetics but also in order to protect wood and leather. And while the original color schemes used were red and black, the art evolved and the color use expanded to other hues such as gold and silver.

Today, we can still see a lot of lacquer pieces and they certainly add character to a room.