From June 30 to July 10, visitors to the lovely "Little Edo" city Kawagoe (population a bit over 353,000) just a half hour north of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, can experience Chinowa Kuguri. This Shinto ritual, held at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, began in the early Edo period (1603-1867) with the intention of warding off plagues and promoting disease-free breathing. A perfect event for an era with Covid, the liturgy, also known as Nagoshi no Harae ("summer passing purification ceremony"), all
kawagoe (3)
Kawagoe (pop. 353,000) is a traditional and lively Koedo (“Little Edo”) city just 30 minutes north of Tokyo along the Tobu Tojo rail line. Its spring festival, held from late March through early May, is an annual cultural highlight.
From the last Saturday in March (this year, March 27) until May 5, the lively, traditional-flavored city of Kawagoe (pop. 353,000), just 30 minutes north of Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Station on the Tobu Tojo Line, celebrates its spring festival.
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Zazen Meditation at Rinnoji Temple, Nikko
In these times of stress and uncertainty, it is relieving to know that once we can travel again, there are places in the world that offer the healing qualities of reflection, tranquility and mindfulness. Japan is one of those places.
Practicing Zen in Japan
In Japan, the school of Zen involves practicing Zazen (meditation) and mindfulness, which can be achieved by the act of Shakyo (hand copying of Buddhist sutras. Both Zazen and Shakyo may help cal
