Kotohira–Konpira Shrine
19 October 2011 Not far from Takamatsu, also on the island of Shikoku, is the town of Kotohira which is best known as the location of the huge Konpira Shrine… Read more »
Category: Japanese Culture
Takamatsu–Ritsurin Garden
17 October 2011 The city of Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku is the location of Ritsurin Koen, one of Japan’s largest and most impressive formal gardens. It was begun… Read more »
Osaka–Sumiyoshi Shrine
17 October 2011 The Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine in Osaka is one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines. Exactly how old is uncertain. Its origins are lost in the mists of prehistory,… Read more »
Osaka–Shitennouji Temple
17 October 2011 The Shitennouji (Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings) is Japan’s oldest surviving Buddhist temple. It was built by Prince Shoutoku (574-622), one of the country’s earliest and… Read more »
Osaka Castle
17 October 2011 Osaka Castle was built beginning in 1583 as the headquarters of Hideyori Toyotomi, one of the leading figures of the Warring States Period. It has been carefully… Read more »
Be An Action Figure
Cute or creepy? A store in the Akihabara will make a posable doll that looks like you. Pricy but apparently worth it to some people.
Resale Value of Ainu Carvings
I received an interesting question via the contact form and I’m going to answer it publicly on the chance that other people might be interested in the subject. Hi, I’ve… Read more »
Rice Field Art
Amazing stuff, verified by snopes.com.
Pure Land Buddhism
Hounen (1133-1212) was a Tendai monk who became convinced that traditional Buddhist practices were not sufficient for most people to attain enlightenment. The increasing civil disorder that prevailed convinced him… Read more »