The 'real' Japan

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

WORLDWIDE | Monday, 30 August 2010 | Views [1767]

Shinto is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and her people, dating back thousands of years BC, it's traditions are still respected alongside Zen Buddhism in a syncretic spiritual mix by 84-96% of the population. This is a modern Shinto priest mediating under the sacred running waters of the Kyoto Fushimi Inari shrine complex demonstrating the link the Japanese have between their ancient and present history.

These are the ancient burial caves of the Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima. Founded in 828 AD, this Buddhist temple was originally founded in 828 as part of the Tendai sect, and was converted into a Zen temple during the Kamakura Period (1192-1333).
Part of the temple was hewn directly into the surrounding cliffs where cremated remains of the deceased were enshrined as was, and still is a tradition of Zen Buddhism.

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This small Shinto shrine, nestled within a forest grove of Japanese cedar near Tazawako in the Akita prefecture is a prime example of the spiritual link modern Japanese people have between their daily lives and surrounding nature.

Unassuming shrines like this are to be found within every small community of people and are built to worship various spirits or 'kami' that live in natural features in, or nearby the shrine, often a large rock, or tree.

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The 'real' Japan

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

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