Rice Cake Scatter

In autumn in Koyasan, you may see many people gathering with some plastic bags or with a big apron spreading in front of the shrines. They are waiting for rice cake being scattered.
Appreciating the autumn harvest, they offer their harvest (mainly the products made of rice) in front of the shrine and share the great joy of the harvest.
So once you meet this occasion, why don't you try to join.
But I'm afraid you may be very surprised to see Japanese people having waited quietly for a long time suddenly changed into wild crowds only getting some rice cake.
Please protect yourself from excited Japanese who scramble for rice cake.

Hana-Matsuri, the Flower Festival

HANA-MATSURI, the Flower Festival is held to celebrate the Buddha(Shakyamuni)'s birthday today, on April 8th.
At Kongobuji, the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, abbots gathered in the
main hall and hold the Buddhist Ceremony.
The alter decorated with colorful flowers holds a young Shakyamuni Buddha with his hand up in the pool of AMACHA, hydrangea tea inside.
After the ceremony offered for Buddha's birthday, his alter is placed in the hallway and any visitors celebrate his birthday with pouring (offering) hydrangea tea to the little Buddha.

The local kindergarten children as well visit Kongobuji and join this ceremony. They are all curious, line up in order and offering tea earnestly.



The visitors to the temple as well offered hydrangea tea served by wives of local temples.

On the Day with a Buddhist Ritual

At the head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, Kongobuji, the special decoration is done along the approach to the front and side gates on special days in Buddhism.

Classical wooden pails are lined up on both side of the approach and neat piles of Japanese cedar branches are placed by the gate. They are said to be used as drinking water and the grass for the horses who brought their masters to the temple.
The red tubs by the gate are said to be used for those masters purified their hands before entering the temple.

It was HANAMATSURI, the Flower Festival to celebrate the Buddha(Shakyamuni)'s birthday today.

Tibetan Mandala

From 13;00 to 15:00 from March 31 till April 2, you can see Tibetan Mandala being made by Tibetan monks at DAIENIN temple in Koyasan.
I hear Tibetan Mandala is drawn by sand but I haven't seen the real one made in front of me. They are making Avalokitesvara(KANNON, the boddhisattva of mercy ) Mandara. It looked more detailed and precise than I had expected. Colorful sand is placed accurately in every detailed place. I wonder they can't even breathe or blink. Anyway I can't wait to see when it is completed.

First, to see them making Mandala, we are given a white cloth to offer to Dalai Blama. White cloth is considered as good offering to show our respect. We walk clockwise around Mandala to reach the alter. We also see many unique tools which are used for their rituals.
Sometimes, Tibetan Buddhism and Shingon Buhhism are sometimes said very similar.
And I think it is true too. They decorate 5 colored flags all around which contains the five element of the universe. Well, in Shingon Buddhism, they don't make this kind of mandala with sand.
They'll show their Mandala completed (They say they will harden it with some spray) and have Buddhist session at Koyasan University on April 3rd from 13:00. You can hear the explanation of Mandala by a professor at Koyasan University.
Tibetan SHOMYO (religious singing) and CHAM (religious dancing) are exibited as well.
Well, why don't you come and see?

Stop the hysteria

Many friends and people who once was guided by me sent very warm and kind concerns and messages. I really appreciate for that.
But at the same time, the travel alert in the foreign countries and some excessive news reports, many foreign tourists cancel their trip to Japan even they will never visit Eastern Japan.

The western Japan is totally safe and has no influence of the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear crisis but the tourism in the west as well is facing the serious situation.
I know if one saw those terrible scenes repeatedly on TV or You Tube, you feel guilty to do something enjoyable. The nuclear power plan crisis is serious but it can be solved soon. It is 600-700 km away from Koyasan.
I dare to say people on the west love to help our fellow people in Tohoku and eastern Japan but we are also threatened by our daily life to encourage them and support them as well if we can't keep our daily lives.
So please do not stop traveling to Japan!
Please see this beautiful country and think about the sufferes and how you can really help them. You can also see how brave and patient in Tohoku Area who try to find out the right way to live there.

Even locals couldn't predicted

I'm usually not such a cautious person but I should be.
At this time of the year, I often make sure to ask some local friends of mine in Koyasan if I can drive up there without snow tires.
But even locals predict wrong.
It was absolutely sunny down the mountain but once I drove up, it looked like this. Can I drive back home safely after guiding?

Still Away From Spring?!

I thought spring has finally come but I came totally to the wrong place.
It sometimes happens here in Koyasan at this time of the year and we are pulled back to the freezer.
I love snow and winter but now I miss spring.

Coming Friday, March 11 (this year), HOIN-san who, among chief abbots of Koyasan temples, plays the role of Kobo Daishi through a year is relieved.
And this time of the year, it is always cold.
We should be well prepared for the cold weather.