Ketsueki Blood Type

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Ketsuekigata O-mamori 血液型お守り Blood Type Amulets quote Blood types in Japanese culture There exists a common, popular belief in Japan and other East Asian countries that a person's ABO blood type or ketsueki-gata (血液型) is predictive of his or her personality, temperament, and compatibility with others, similar to how astrological signs are used in other countries throughout the world, although blood type plays a much more prominent role in Japanese and the societies of other East Asian countries than astrology does in other countries' societies. Ultimately deriving from ideas of historical scientific racism, the popular belief originates with publications by Masahiko Nomi in the 1970s. The scientific community dismisses such beliefs as superstition or pseudoscience. Current popularity Discussion of blood types is widely popular in women's magazines as a way of gauging relationship compatibility with a potential or current partner. Morning television shows feature blood type horoscopes, and similar horoscopes are published daily in newspapers. The blood types of celebrities are listed in their infoboxes on Japanese Wikipedia. A series of four books that describe people's character by blood type ranked third, fourth, fifth and ninth on a list of best selling books in Japan in 2008 compiled by Tohan Corporation. Although there is no proven correlation between blood type and personality, it remains popular with the many matchmaking services that cater to blood type. In this way, it is similar to the use of astrological signs, which is also popular in Japan. Asking one's blood type is common in Japan, and people are often surprised when a non-Japanese does not know his or her own blood type. Blood type harassment, called "bura-hara" (wasei-eigo-a portmanteau of "blood" and "harassment"), has been blamed for bullying of children in playgrounds, loss of job opportunities, and ending of happy relationships. Type A Best traits - Earnest, creative, sensible, reserved, patient, responsible Worst traits - Fastidious, overearnest, stubborn, tense Type B Best traits - Wild, active, doer, creative, passionate, strong Worst traits - Selfish, irresponsible, unforgiving, erratic Type AB Best traits - Cool, controlled, rational, sociable, adaptable Worst traits - Critical, indecisive, forgetful, irresponsible, "split personality" Type O Best traits - Confident, self-determined, optimistic, strong-willed, intuitive Worst traits - Self-centered, cold, doubtful, unpredictable, "workaholic" ©　More in the WIKIPEDIA ! .............................................................................................................................................. ketsuekigata mikuji　血液型みくじ sample of sacred lot Shrine Nihashira Jinja, Futahashira Jinja, Futabashira Jinja 二柱神社 (にはしらじんじゃ) Nishiura-61 Ichinazaka, Izumi Ward, Sendai source : f-shrine.com/ Sendai, Miyagi ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: - ABC - List of blood-type amulets from the Prefectures .............................................................................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . Hyogo . Shrine Mikuriya Jinja 御厨神社 Akaishi Town . .............................................................................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . Miyagi Akiu (Akiho) ketsuekigata mikuji　血液型みくじ . Akiu Otaki Waterfall Fudo Temple 秋保大滝不動堂 . Saikooji 西光寺 Saiko-Ji 仙台市太白区秋保町馬場字大滝11 . Waterfalles named "Fudo no Taki" 不動の滝 . .............................................................................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . Tokyo ketsuekigata mikuji　血液型みくじ Tokyo Daijingu 東京大神宮　 source : www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp . Tokyo Daijinguu 東京大神宮 Tokyo Daijingu . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Bloodtypes and Haiku ni-juu oku koonen no gishoo omae no B-gata twenty billion light-years of perjury: your blood type is "B" Hoshinaga Fumio 星永文夫 Note: "Blood-type B is rare in Japan; Type A is happier, but Type B carries a sense of melancholy. So, I felt my rebelliousness or revulsion could not be Type A – it must be blood-type B." Hoshinaga Fumio (p. 173). quote from Poems of Consciousness, Richard Gilbert source : Simply Haiku Summer 2008 In Japanese the blood type is called ketsuekigata, ketsueki-gata 血液型, blood group When the Japanese ask me their favorite question Ketsuekigata wa nan desu ka? (What is your blood type?) I usually reply My blood tpye is ZENIGATA ! . Detective Zenigata Heiji　銭形平次　. .................................................................................................................................................... 亡霊と幽霊血液型ちがふ boorei to yuurei ketsueki gata chigau the blood type of a vengeful spirit and a ghost are different Hata Yooko 波多洋子 Hata Yoko .......................................................................... やはらかく巡る血液雁渡し yawarakaku meguru ketsueki kari watashi my blood flows so gently - geese crossing over Oda Kaori 小田かをり . WKD : kari wataru 雁渡る geese crossing over . .................................................................................................................................................... . - Body Parts and Haiku - .

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. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .

. Japan - Shrines and Temples .


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Kanai Anzen

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. yakuyoke 厄除け warding off evil - Index .
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Kanai anzen 家内安全 "peace at home" wellbeing for the family kazoku omamori 家族お守り family protection . . . CLICK here for Photos ! kaun takamori, ka-un takamori 家運隆盛 good luck for the family . . . CLICK here for Photos ! quote ... a type of omamori, or Japanese amulet of the Shinto religion. Its purpose is to promote good health and to help those with illnesses and protect the family. Literally, kanai anzen means "Please keep my family from harm," and you can see this written upon ema votive plaquets as well as omamori suzu (bells). In the form of an omamori and suzu, this prayer is carried on one's person. ©　More in the WIKIPEDIA ! . . . CLICK here for Photos ! . Kanai Anzen from this BLOG . Kanai Anzen Daruma Kokeshi　だるまこけし . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 壷阪寺　Tsubosaka dera, Nara quote Mayoke men - Demons to ward off evil 開運厄除 ・家内安全 魔除面 ward off evil 鬼門を守る、kimon - unlucky quarter 眼病退散 eyes、 トイレでこけない toilet 厄年退散 unlucky year 桃鬼…良縁成就・夫婦円満 couple 黄鬼…金運招来・財運向上 money 赤鬼…開運厄除・家内安全 family 青鬼…開運厄除・家内安全 family 緑鬼…学業成就・無病息災 health also available at this temple 大草鞋魔除面（おおわらじまよけめん） 眼のお守り me no omamori omou tsubo 思う壷守 "may all things go just as I want it" Fudo Myo-o to ward off all evil　不動明王 壷阪寺　Tsubosaka dera, Nara 〒635-0102 奈良県高市郡高取町壷阪3番地（お里沢市の霊蹟） source : Tsubosaka dera Homepage . Oni 鬼　Demon Amulets . . Minami Hokkeji 壷阪寺 Tsubosakadera . :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 門の梅家内安全と咲にけり kado no ume kanai anzen to saki ni keri plums at the gate praying for the well-being of the family with their blossoms . . . Tr. Gabi Greve . WKD : Kobayashi Issa 小林一茶 in Edo . This hokku has the cut marker KERI at the end of line 3. a plum tree blooms by the gate, protecting the family from harm Tr. Chris Drake This hokku was written in the 2nd month (March) of 1816, when Issa was living back in his hometown. In Issa's diary there is no headnote, but in some later versions a headnote is attached: "Congratulations on your new house." The language indicates that Issa is sending felicitations to someone who has just moved into a new house. Apparently Issa later used this hokku to congratulate someone else. In Issa's time epidemics, disasters, and early death were more common than today, and people often made prayers at shrines and temples in order to protect family members against sickness, accidents, and other harm. Amulets that claimed to be able to ensure family wellness and safety were also extremely popular. Issa, however, looks not to amulets but to the vigorous blooming of a plum tree by the gate of one house. The strength or perhaps the ki, the spiritual energy, of the healthy, robustly blooming tree, the hokku suggests, will surely help the family living in the house avoid illness and harm and live long, happy lives. Chris Drake

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. Kanai Anzen from this BLOG


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Ema votive tablets - INFO

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. ema 絵馬 と伝説 Legends about votive tablets .
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ema 絵馬 votive tablets

Please read my main entry HERE and come back:
. EMA Votive Tablets and Prayer Boards 絵馬 .


. Iwate - Nanbu no ema 南部の絵馬 votive tablets from the Nambu domaine .

Here I am going to present a few special ones.
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kokoro　心　the heart, the soul


source :　www.city.himeji.lg.jp

kokorodachi, kokoro tachikiru 心断ち "cutting of the heart"
From Tochigi prefecture 栃木県

This helps to cut off a bad habit, like drinking too much.
The character for HEART　心 is cut to pieces by craftsmen with axes and saws.

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kokoro ni kagi 心に鍵 "a lock for the heart"
Here is a similar one, putting a lock in front of the heart (to keep it from wandering in un-wanted directions) .
This amulet is useful for couples to make sure the vows are kept.



From temple Kanzan-Ji 舘山寺, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu
The lock is in the form of the character 心。



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ema with the zodiac animals, in the form of a heart



The other zociac animals are HERE:
source :　ameblo.jp/fprecon

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Matsuo Basho at Yamadera 山寺立石寺 in Yamagata

閑かさや岩にしみ入る蝉の声
shizukasa ya iwa ni shimiiru semi no koe

oh in this quietude
seeping into the rock
the voices of cicadas


- - - Station 26 - Ryushakuji - 立石寺 Risshaku-Ji - - -
. Oku no Hosomichi　奥の細道 .


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Eiyoo Gongen 栄誉権現 Venerable Guard Deity

上野東照宮の栄誉権現社
at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Tokyo

This shrine is quite in the back of the Ueno shrine complex, where a lot of monsters and demons used to live in Edo. Only in the Taisho period were the ghosts driven out of this shrine.
To pacify their souls, the venerable badger guard Eiyo Gongen was introduced. He is also worshipped to bring good luck and help students to pass an examination for a good career.

On the votive tablet, there is a badger in a purple priest's robe. The two characters
TA「他」and NUKE 「抜」are written on it too.
This is a pun with the name of the badger, TANUKI.

. Tanuki　狸 Badger amulets and toys.

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Another Ema from the Toshogu shrine, this time with the parade.
On one of the floats there are mechanical dolls.
On the left, there is Benkei with Ushiwakamaru on the Gojo Bridge in Kyoto.



. Karakuri ningyoo からくり人形 mechanical dolls .


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source :　facebook 仏像

地蔵縁起絵巻 Jizo Engi Emaki - Yatadera 矢田寺, Kyoto

and another Yatadera in Nara
矢田寺大門坊 奈良県大和郡山市矢田町3549 0743-53-1445
- Homepage of the temple - for Jizo and Ajisai Hydrangea
- source : www.yatadera.or.jp

With a pilgrimage to 10 Jizo temples. 大和地蔵十福霊場会


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. yookai, yōkai 妖怪 Yokai monsters .

With the growing popularity of Yokai on the internet, some temples and shrines are catering to the need with Ema.



Asahina modoki　朝比奈もどき



dondon byoshi どんどん拍子



oogijuu 扇獣



chitori　血取り

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from 妖怪神社 the Shrine Yokai Jinja, dedicated to Mizuki Shigeru

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Yokai (Monsters) Jinja
Yokai Jinja is a shrine located on Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. A ceremony for building completion and consecration for this shrine ceremony was held by Mizuki Shigeru, who produced a manga Gegege no Kitaro at midnight on January 1, 2000. This shrine was built as home for monsters and with wish to preserve and grow an environment of Yokai-no-sato (house for monsters) where monsters find it easy to live. Torii (gateway to shrine) is built with motif of Ittan-momen (monster of cloth) at the entrance. After you go through, there are black graphite ad 300-year old Keyaki tree (Japanese tree of the genus zelkova) consecrated by Mizuki Shigeru, which is go-shintai (an object of worship).
Behind the go-shintai, Medama-ishi (eyeball of stone) is placed, which has a mysterious anecdote. At the consecration, Mizuki said pointing a part of go-shintai, "it would be good to put an eyeball here," and then the part peeled off. You should wash your hands at Medama Oyaji Kiyome-no-Mizu, where a stone shaped like the popular character of Gegege no Kitaro, Medama no Oyaji (Kitaro-'s father who is an eyeball), before praying in front of alter. Then pray by bowing twice, clap twice and bow once. Here you can buy and enjoy Karakuri Yokai Mikuji, a written oracle with 200 yen. A Yokai Karakuri Ningyo (a mechanical doll shaped like a monster) even can perform the purification ceremony for you, bow and bring the oracle to you. Also Yokai ema (votive picture), amulets and charms are sold.
It is a site you should visit if you go to see Mizuki Shigeru Road.
- source : japanhoppers.com/en/chugoku/yonago_sakaiminato... -


. 水木しげる, Mizuki Shigeru .
- - - - - Ge Ge Ge no Kitarō (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎, Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro)

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. Reference .

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Ema collection related to HEALTH
医薬が十分でなかった時代や地域では、病気治癒・健康祈願の絵馬:
source : www.eisai.co.jp/museum


source : yamaguchi-zukan


Ema collections
龍・蛇系 / 神仏像 / 神の使い・動物 / 人物・祭り・図柄
source : www.zoeji.com



Ema collection from most regions 絵馬コレクション
source : okamoto.n

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kane ni naru ki 金に成る木 - a tree to become rich

. my PHOTO album of the Dewa Mountains .

. kane no naru ki 金の成る木 a tree to become rich .

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. Ema for Shichi-Go-San　七五三 Festival in November .


. Choomeiji 長命寺 Chomei-Ji . - Nerima ward, Tokyo

. Hakone Jinja 箱根神社 . white horse

. Hikawa Jinja 氷川神社 Akasaka 赤坂 Tokyo .


. Iminomiya Jinja 忌宮神社 . Yamaguchi
Ema for Shichi-Go-San　七五三 -children's festival in November


. Isaniwa Jinja 伊佐爾波神社 . - Matsuyama, Ehime


. 大国魂神社 Okunitama Jinja . Tokyo
yamiyo matsuri 闇夜祭り night festival ema and more


. Suitengu 水天宮 Shrine for the Water God .


. TAKO Yakushi　多幸薬師 with Octopus 蛸 .
Tokyo, Meguro


. tsubaki no hana 椿の花 camellia blossom on ema .


. Tsuruoka Tenjin 鶴岡天神 - Big Ema Parade 大絵馬パレード.
鶴岡天神祭 Tsuruoka Tenjin Festival, Yamagata


. Uji Jinja 宇治神社 - Ise .
ashigamisan 足神さん Ashi no Kamisama - Deity for Strong Legs
waraji no ema 　わらじの絵馬 votive tablet with straw sandals


. Yakimono - toosei ema 陶製絵馬 ema from pottery .
Sueyama Jinja 陶山神社, Arita

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Gankake Daruma, Fujiidera 願掛けだるま　葛井寺
大阪府藤井寺市藤井寺一丁目16番21号　Osaka

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ema uri, ema-uri 絵馬売り vendor of votive tablets
emagaku uri 絵馬額売り

A lot of them where seasonal workers, mostly from Shinano, called "mukudori", who came to Edo in the 11th lunar month and left again in the second lunar month. They walked the streets, calling out their merchandise

ema yaaa, gaku yaaaaa 絵馬や　額や々々々

On the first day of the horse these votive tablets were sold at Inari fox shrines 稲荷神社 as offerings to the deity. This custom had become a favorite with the Edoites in the second half of the Edo period. They came in various sizes, the street vendors selling the smaller ones. Larger ones were sold at the Inari shrine markets of the festival day.
These tablets were made at various small shops, one of the more famous one's is the
Hidakaya　日高屋 in Asakusa.

. WKD : hatsu uma, hatsu-uma 初午 first day of the horse .


source : www.han-nari.com

椋鳥が巣立ちをすると絵馬や額
mukudori ga sudachi o suru to ema ya gaku

the seasonal workers
are about to take off -
votive tablets and frames

. mukudori 椋鳥 gray starling .
kigo for autumn
with a few haiku by Issa about the seasonal workers.


. senryu, senryū 川柳　Senryu in Edo .

. Doing Business in Edo .


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. Ema for 2012, year of the Dragon .

. ema 絵馬 と伝説 Legends about votive tablets .


. My EMA collection - Regional Folk Toys .


. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .


. Tohoku after the BIG earthquake March 11, 2011

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- #ema #votivetablet -
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Kumano and Nachi amulets

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. Kanai anzen 家内安全 "peace at home" .
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Kumano and Nachi amulets -　熊野　那智 From ancient times to the Middle Ages, the faith instilled by the Kumano Sanzan of Hongu, Shingu and Nachi was at a peak and many believers ranging from emperors and nobles to the commoner made their pilgrimages to Kumano. Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) Please start here and come back: . Introducing Kumano and Nachi . yatagarasu ema,　yata-garasu 八咫烏絵馬 votive tablet with a three-legged crow yata no karasu 八咫烏（やたがらす / やたのからす） from Kumano Hongu Taisha 熊野本宮大社 There are also many white flags with the name of this crow. This three-legged crow (raven) was the guide of emperor Jimmu (Jinmu Tenno 神武天皇) when he visited the Kumano region. The crow is the messenger of the deity Kumano Gongen 熊野権現. It leads people of pure heart to luck and prosperity. Now it is on many items in the compound, even on a black letter box 八咫ポスト. . . . CLICK here for Photos ! source :　ikebukuro.areablog.jp a big votive tablet with the crow, black post box and many soccer balls There are also mikuji fortune telling slips, hidden in a small black clay crow. 八咫烏おみくじ . . . . . kachimamori 勝守 amulet to win from Nachi Taisha MORE amulets from Kumano Nachi Taisha source : www.kumanonachitaisha various o-mamori amulets with the crow 八咫烏のお守り . . . CLICK here for Photos ! strap with the crow 八咫烏ストラップ source :　yama on flickr mamoribukuro　守り袋　crow amulet bag with a crow yatagarasu michibiki mamori やたがらす導き守り the way-leading crow amulet on a string or strap . Netsuke omamori 根付お守り amulets on a string . .................................................................................................................................................................. Yatagarasu Daruma 八咫烏だるま .................................................................................................................................................................. source :　kumano.net At the shrine Kumano Hayatama Taisha 熊野速玉大社 the head priest commissioned a large ema in 2004. The crow is made of silver and produces a divine golden shine (mihikari 神光) from its back, enlightening all around it. The crow carries a brand of the sacred shrine tree (nagi no ki 梛の木 / 凪の木) . It is walking on auspicious red clouds, which appear on special situations (zui-un 瑞雲). This votive tablet was offered with the wish for a better life of all mankind. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 神武天皇東征 quote from the Kojiki records, Kamu yamato iwarebiko the first legendary emperor Jinmu 神武天皇. ... left on a campaign to subdue the eastern provinces. Both Kojiki and Nihongi relate the eastern campaign while interspersing martial songs called Kume-uta. Hosted by Usatsuhiko and Usatsuhime, and guided by the kunitsukami Shinetsuhiko, the army passed through the provinces of Tsukushi, Toyo, Aki, and Kibi, finally arriving at Naniwa (near present-day Osaka). The army failed to land there, however, and changed course and proceeded instead to Kumano. During that period, the campaign was successful at subjugating the various tribes met, but in the fight with Tomi no Nagasunebiko (in Kojiki), Jinmu's brother Itsuse no mikoto was killed, and Inahi no mikoto (in Nihongi, Inai no mikoto) and Mikenu no mikoto (in Nihongi, Mikeirinu no mikoto) were buffeted by storms at sea and either drowned or departed to the "everlasting land" (Tokoyo), finally leaving Emperor Jinmu as the sole leader. At Kumano, Jinmu's army was beset by noxious vapors issued by rough kami, and the entire band fell unconscious, but they were saved by the local man Takakuraji 高倉下, who received an oracular dream from Amaterasu and Takemikazuchi. With the sword Futsu no mitama provided by Takemikazuchi, Jinmu defeated the rough kami. When the army lost its way on the road, either Takamimusuhi (Kojiki) or Amaterasu (Nihongi) appeared to Jinmu in a dream, telling him to follow the numinous Yatakarasu crow that would be sent as a guide. Following the crow, Jinmu and his army, led by Michi no omi no mikoto arrived at Yoshino, where they were met by the kunitsukami Ihika (in Nihongi, called Ihikari), Iwaoshiwaku, and the child of Niemotsu. There, Jinmu orchestrated the surrender or defeat of the brothers Ukashi the Elder and Ukashi the Younger, the brothers Shiki the Elder and Shiki the Younger, the leaders Yasotakeru and Nagasunehiko, and the Tsuchigumo peoples. ... source : Mori Mizue, 2005 - Kokugakuin . Jinmu Tenno 神武天皇 and Haiku . :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The crow is the messenger of Susano-O 素盞鳴尊. yata 八咫 means "big, large" The crow is seen as an incarnation of the sun　太陽 (center of the image) The three legs represent Heaven / Earth / Man 天・地・人 Heaven is identical with the deities. source : www.hongutaisha.jp :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: quote Yata-garasu 八咫烏 (eight-span crow) Why the three legs and why the black crow inside a sun disk? The most plausible reasons involve Chinese mythology and Japan’s own creation legends. First, a black 3-legged crow known in China as Sānzúwū 三足烏 (lit. = three-legged bird) appears in Chinese art dated to the Yangsháo 仰韶 period (5000-3000 BC). In Chinese mythology and ancient texts, this bird is intimately related to the sun. According to the Huáinánzi 淮南子 (2nd century BC Chinese text), this bird has three legs because three is the emblem of Yang -- and the supreme essence of Yang is the sun. Second, in Japan, various deities are associated with the 3-legged black crow, including Myōken (the deification of the Pole Star and Big Dipper), Nikkō Bosatsu (Sunlight Bodhisattva), and Emperor Jimmu 神武天皇 (Japan’s legendary first emperor). In Japan’s own creation myths (e.g., Nihon Shoki 日本書紀, submitted to the Japanese imperial court in 720 AD), a giant crow called Yata-garasu 八咫烏 (eight-span crow) appeared to Jimmu, who had landed on the shores of Japan but gotten lost. source : Mark Schumacher ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: This ema leads us to another important amulet of this shrine complex. Go-Oo Hooin 牛王宝印 sacred seal of the ox treasure goou hooin, 牛玉宝印 (くまのごおうほういん） An amulet to ward off evil. It is different at the various shrines in Nachi and Kumano. Kumano Go-Oo fu 熊野牛王符, 熊野牛王神符 熊野山宝印, 那智瀧宝印, 烏牛王 "crow and ox treasure" o karasul san おからすさん "honorable crow" This amulet is quite powerful: If you hang it over the hearth, it will prevent fire. Over the main door of the home, it will prevent evil from entering. Wear it in your pocket, it will prevent you from getting sea-sick, car-sick or sick in an aeroplane. Place it on the bed of an ill person, it will heal the illness. If you give it to a person after exchanging a solemn oath in written on the seal as "sacred paper" (seishi　誓紙), he has to keep the oath or promise (seiyaku 誓約), because it means making an oath in the presence of the gods, and they will punish the person who does not keep it. The samurai of old used it always to make pledges of support. If they broke their pledge and promise, three crows would die in Kumano and the person died, spitting blood. The amulet shows a design called "crow character" 烏文字. For each Chinese character, many crows are placed together to form it. There are also some sacred jewels (hooju 宝珠) in the design. They are combined to represent five characters. The seal is printed on strong washi paper. There is a different design: The design to represent the characters has a various number of crows Hongu has 88 crows 熊野山宝印 "mountain treasure seal" Shingu has 48 crows Nachi has 72 crows 那智瀧宝印 "waterfall treasure seal" Shrine Kumano Hongu 熊野本宮 Shrine Kumano Shingu, Hayatama Taisha 熊野速玉大社 Shrine Nachi Taisha 那智大社 牛王 "ox treasure" can be written as 牛黄 ("yellow of the ox", go-oo) referring to a special medicine prepared from the yellow gall stones, sometimes even the gall bladder of oxen and cows. It was used for weak hearts, stomach infections and kidney infections. go oo en 牛黄円・牛王円 round tablets of ox gall stones go oo kaji 牛黄加持・牛王加持 prayer incantation (for a special purpose), using seals with gall stone powder added to the washi paper mixure for the printed seals (see below) . Sensooji go oo kaji 浅草寺牛王加持 Ritual at Senso-Ji . Go-Oo Kaji-E 牛玉加持会 Prayer Ritual for the Deity of the Ox observance kigo for the New Year . . . . . During the Edo period, when pilgrimages to Kumano became popular, visitors would buy these amulets and bring them home to the family for protection. The wandering nuns from Kumano also walked around Japan, selling them to make a living. The seals were also used in the pleasure quarters, to make pledges between a patron and a courtesan of high rank. Nowadays, the Japan Football Association uses this crow as their symbol. . Wishfulfilling Jewel (nyoi hooju 如意宝珠) . . Imakumano Jinja 新熊野神社 Imakumano Shrine . - Kyoto Established by retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa (後白河天皇) in 1160, by dividing the spirit of the Kumano shrine in Kishu (present day Wakayama) and to bring it here. .................................................................................................................................................................. observance kigo for the New Year Kiyomizu no Go Ou 清水の牛王 (きよみずのごおう) Go-Oo Ox Deity at temple Kiyomizu Kiyomizudera go Oo清水寺牛王（きよみずでらごおう）、 ..... 清水寺牛王杖（きよみずでらごおうづえ） Go-Oo stick at Kiyomizu Temple On the last day of the New Year Rituals (Shuuni-e 修正会) in February, the statue of an 11-headed Kannon is shown to the priests and they walk around it, hitting the floor with sticks from branches of the willow tree, which likes the sun and brings spring to the world. On that day, people buy the amulet of Go-Oo to prevent evil in the coming year and pray for good business. Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto was founded in the early Heian period. The temple dates back to 778, ©　More in the WIKIPEDIA ! .................................................................................................................................................................. The 牛王 is not related to the Ox-headed Deity . Gozu Tennoo 牛頭天王 holy king of the bulls . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 . . . CLICK here for Photos of votive tablets! . Reference . source : www.mikumano.net ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 The Ten Treasures 十種神宝 tokusa no kandakara When Jinmu Tenno passed here on his way to the North-East he offered (put (OKI 置) the four heavenly jewel treasures (tama 玉 ) at this place, hence the name, lit. "Shrine where the Jewels are layed down". Tamaki Jinja 玉置神社 "Tama oki jinja" - Tamaki Jinja . Shrine Tamaki Jinja 玉置神社 . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 ドラゴン牛黄カプセル Dragon Go-Oo capsels (made from Australian cows) still awailable to our day as kanpo medicine. . Chinese Medicine (kanpo 漢方薬) . .................................................................................................................................................................. 牛王加持 法多山田遊祭 尊永寺 Go-Oo Kaji ritual during the great festival at Hattasan, Temple Sonei-Ji Shizuoka, January 7 This temple is known for a Kannon Bosatsu to ward off evil. yakuyoke Kannon 厄除け観音 The Hoin Seal from Kumamoto is used during the ritual. Look at more photos from the festival source :　hattasan.hamazo.tv ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 nagi ningyoo なぎ人形 dolls from sacred nagi wood the sacred shrine tree (nagi no ki 梛の木 / 凪の木) Podocarpus nagi A big tree can grow till 25 meters high and have a circumference of 1.5 meters. nagi is also a pun on the sound, meaning a windless, peaceful day. Relating to this, the amulet is valuable for a peaceful, quiet home and family. The fishermen use it to pray for a quiet trip. We also have the deities the male Izanagi no Mikoto - representing the wind (nagi) the female Izanami no Mikoto - representing the waves (nami) They must be together to create something, in this case the country of Japan. These dolls are made one by one from the fruit of the tree. The priest and shrine maidens paint little eyes and a nose, one by one. The branches of the tree are very strong and to not break easily when you tear on them, so symbolically they have become an amulet for a good relationship (enmusubi). The trees are said to have been planted by Taira no Shigemori 平重盛,k when he visited Hayatama Taisha, and have been here for more than 800 years. Their circumference is about 6 meters here in Kumano. The leaves can ward off evil and many visitors took some as amulets on their way home. 千早振る熊野の宮のなぎの葉を　 実らぬ千代のためしにぞ折る chihayaburu Kumano no miya no nagi no ha o minoranu chiyo no tameshi ni zo oru Waka by Fujiwara no Teika 藤原定家 How hard you may try, a "nagi" leaf at the Devine Kumano Shrine never to be torn off side to side. Doth the bond between a couple last a thousand years? Tr. with help from　facebook friends Chihayaburu, Chihaya furu （ちはやぶる/ちはやふる） means "1000 quick shakes". It refers to the white paper wand (haraigushi) of a Shinto priest, shaken to purify an area and the people before a ceremony. It is a makurakotoba keyword for poetry, representing the diviniy of a place. This leaf of the nagi tree can easily be torn along the lines, but not from one side to the other. It makes "little boys cry" to try and tear it this way. The strength of the leaf is a symbol for the strong bonds between a good couple. The sacred NAGI tree in the compound of Hayatama Taisha source :　jp/pancho/travel . Utamakura, place names used in Poetry . "makura kotoba" 枕詞, 枕言葉, "pillow words" GoOo at the temple Saidaiji, Okayama 牛玉西大寺寶印 / 枝牛玉 . 牛王串 . 牛玉積み source :　ki_warabi .................................................................................................................................................... 新宮の巫女の売りゐる梛の苗 shinguu no miko no uri-iru nagi no nae the shrine maidens at Shingu sell it - seedlings of sacred Nagi Kameda Yasuko 亀田ヤス子 . shinguu and betsuguu, betsugū　別宮 Betsugu separate shrines . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 himatsuri ningyoo 火祭り人形 dolls from the Nachi fire festival Nachi no himatsuri 那智の火祭り Fire Festival at Nachi oogi matsuri 扇祭（おうぎまつり) hand fan festival kigo for late summer main festival at Nachi Taisha July 14. Click for more photos ! quote Nachi-no-Hi-Matsuri Nachi-no-Hi-Matsuri, which is one of the three largest fire festivals of Japan, is staged in the Kumano mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, an area registered as a World Heritage Site. 12 vermilion mikoshi (portable shrines), 6 meters tall, decorated with ogi fans and mirrors, are designed in the image of the Nachi-no-Otaki Falls (the Great Waterfall of Nachi) near the shrine. At the Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine, the waterfall itself is the object of worship and is regarded as a deity. During the festival, you can enjoy viewing the mystical scene of 12 huge 50-kg pine torches waved around so very close to these portable shrines that it appears as if the portable shrines are about to be scorched. The enormous pine torches represent the 12 deities dwelling in Kumano as well as the 12 months of the year. For this festival, the 12 deities "come home" to the main waterfall to celebrate. The portable shrines, which are produced in the image of the sacred falls, are filled with the spirits of the 12 gods, and then purified by the fire of the pine torches; in this manner, vitality is enhanced through these sacred rituals, which is one important objective of this festival. Once the festival starts, people carrying the portable shrines on their shoulders give out loud cries as they run up the steps of the shrine, while people holding the large pine torches dash down the steps to the great applause of the spectators. Then the portable shrines and large pine torches are moved to the falls of Nachi, and here a ritual is performed to pray for the power of the deity of the waterfall to fill the air. Water falls from a height of 133 meters, and looking up at the falls against the background of primeval forests, you will surely sense an air of sacredness. As it becomes very crowded, we recommend that you arrive at the falls early, before the ritual starts so that you can have a good view of the fire festival. source : www.jnto.go.jp ................................................................................. . O-too matsuri 御灯祭, 御燈祭 Torch Fire Festival . in Shingu at the shrine Kamikura Jinja 和歌山県新宮市の神倉神社. February 6. kigo for early spring ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 Fudaraku Tokai 補陀落渡海 Taking a boat to the Fudaraku paradise of Kannon from the shores of Kumano . yomi 黄泉 "the yellow springs" . :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: . Ooji, Ōji 王子 Oji district, Kita, Tokyo . The area was first called 岸村 Kishimura, "village on the shore". After the sharing of a deity from the 熊野本宮大社 Kumano Hongo Taisha in Wakayama a new Shrine was built for the deity 若一王子 Nyakuichi Oji The Srine was named Oji Jinja and the district named 王子村 Oji mura village. This deity is not a prince, but the special deity 熊野権現 Kumano Gongen. Ooji Jinja, Ōji Jinja 王子神社 Oji Shrine

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. Regional Folk Toys from Wakayama .



. WKD : Crow, Raven (karasu カラス / 鴉) .


. Tohoku after the BIG earthquake March 11, 2011

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