I explain questions of Japanese culture easily.

  It is said that, after we die, we cross the Sanzunokawa (the Sanzu River, the Buddhist equivalent of the River Styx) to go to the other world. They say that we need rokumonsen, six coins of one-mon (a unit …

  There are many people who saw komainu (lion- dog, 狛犬) at the entrance of Shinto Shrine in Japan. Do you know what it is? Also, there is a Japanese idiom, “A n (un) no kokyuu (阿吽の呼吸)”. This idiom describes …

  Shishi-mai (獅子舞) or lion dance is performed on various occasions such as New Year celebrations, festivals, and other celebrations, but probably not many of you know what is the meaning and origin of shishi-mai. Shishi-mai lions bite heads of …

  Among the many new year decorations, there is the “kadomatsu”. As you prepare for the new year, there might be questions such as “when shall the kadomatsu be put out?” or “how should it been done away with?”. We …

There are many torii (鳥居) gates in Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) shrine in Kyoto. The highlight of Fushimi Inari Taisha is its famous “senbon torii (千本鳥居)”, the row of countless torii, and it is a big tourist attraction. But do …

  When we think about “hinomaru”, literally meaning is “rising sun”, it is the Japanese national flag. The Japanese flag, the red in white, is very simply design compared with other nations’ flag. However, each element such as color and …

    You see Jizo statues called “Ojizo-san” all over Japan. Although you can see them at various places including along streets or near waterfalls, why do they stand there? Let’s look into the derivation and meaning of Jizo this …

  When it gets cold, we miss kotatsu, don’t we?  (A kotatsu is a traditional Japanese table with an electric heater attached to the underside.) Many of you may have an experience of eating mandarin oranges in kotatsu and, there …

  Although there is a lot of shrines in Japan, the ones which represent Japanese shrine the most are Ise Jingu and Izumo Taisha. What is the difference between these two shrines? I will tell you the origin and the …

Among the imperial court rituals performed in autumn (rituals performed by the Emperor, who is at the center of Shinto rituals, to pray for the peace, security, and prosperity of the nation and people and enshrine spirits and ancestors) are …

  Kokeshi dolls are one of traditional wooden crafts that have been made since ancient times in Japan. They are especially popular among young women. Many people from abroad display these dolls as a home ornament. Therefore, it is said …

  Have you ever made 1,000 cranes with origami paper before? I think some made them together with their classmates for their friend who were in hospital and other did with their team members to achieve good results. In the …