One of my interesting experiences was at the great statue of Buddha in Kamakura. We cleansed our selves with water provided by a fountain. Basically we just washed our hands and rinsed our mouths with water lifted from the fountain in bamboo ladles. We then went to an area where incense was burning in a huge iron pot of sorts. Many people were gathered round and they were directing the smoke of the incense to their faces or foreheads sometimes their shoulders. Kaiden Shihan Shuzan Murakami explained that this was done because of the belief or wish that the incense would heal any ache or pains, promote good health and wisdom. He suggested I rub some of the smoke on my lower back which was giving me trouble at the time. The atmosphere was joyful, friendly and I would compare it to our custom of throwing pennies in a fountain in the hope our wish will come true. These were my impressions.
The most moving experience I had was visiting the Sengaku Temple, where the 47 Ronin are enshrined. The book, The 47 Ronin Story, by John Allyn, gives a dramatized account of the true story of these loyal samurai. Shihan Murakami told me the story of the Ronin as we toured the site. He explained that his mother's family was related to one of the samurai buried there. Although the grounds were close to a major train station in Tokyo, the grounds had a eerie, but serene atmosphere. Out of respect, Japanese visitors placed bundles of burning incense on the graves of each samurai. The grounds were enshrouded in a fragrant haze. The smoke eddied around us as we walked the grounds, placing our own bundles of incense on the graves.
Do you have knowledge of or experience in Japanese culture? Japanese travel stories? Share your facts, anecdotes or experiences with us!
Link to Japanese Martial Arts page from Japan:
Japanese Martial Arts Page--photos of several arts, plus section on Zen and culture.
Link List--martial arts and Japanese culture.