'Rokusai-nichi' were days when it was thought that evil spirits posed most of a threat to human life, walking abroad and threatening devilry.
By performing pious acts, staying home, and behaving modestly on these days, it was thought you could avoid danger.
#Kyoto #京都 #六斎念仏

Kūya would perform on the 6 unlucky days of each month, known as 'Rokusai' (六斎日 - 8/14/15/23/29/last day). Because of this the dance became known as Rokusai Nembutsu (六斎念仏).
The first reference to these unlucky days is in 691, detailed in the Nihon Shoki (日本書紀).
#Japan

🙌ROKUSAI NENBUTSU👏

As part of his proselytising Kūya (空也上人 903-72) created an energetic style of chant and dance called the 'Yoyaku Nembutsu' (踊躍念仏 lit. 'Leaping About Nenbutsu').
By making his message simple and entertaining he hoped to make religion more accessible.

Mirroring the tradition at Rokudo Chinnō-ji (六道珍皇寺), for a short time Mibu-dera's (壬生寺) bell becomes 'Mukae-gane' (迎え鐘), the 'Welcoming Bell'.
Worshipers ring the bell to invite the spirits of their ancestors back to the world of the living for Obon (お盆).
#Obon #お盆

🥁LEAPING FOR LIFE, DANCING FOR THE DEAD👏

Since Kamakura times, from August 9-16th, Mibu-dera has performed special dance called Rokusai Nenbutsu (六斎念仏) for Obon.
The religious dance originated from an old belief that demons wandered the land for 6 days of the month (六斎).

70% of Japan is covered in mountains, and this landscape has deeply shaped Japanese religion and culture.

Kyōto is enclosed by mountains on three sides. These help to give the city its micro-climate: exceptionally hot and humid in summer, dry and bone-achingly cold in winter.

Despite being Japan's newest national holiday, there has long been a tradition in mountainous regions of celebrating this date to honour sacred peaks.

It has been suggested that August 11th was chosen as the characters for the date look like a forested mountain (八11).
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

🌄MOUNTAIN DAY🙌

dawn comes quick
to their crowns...
Higashi Mountains
明安き天窓はづれや東山
-小林一茶, 1814.

Today is 'Yama-no-hi' (山の日 'Mountain Day')!
The day is intended to provide "opportunities to get familiar with mountains and appreciate their blessings..."

Rokudo Chinnō-ji was long believed to stand on the crossroads between the world of the living and the various lands of the dead.
The temple is home to the 'Hell King' Enma Dai-Ō (閻魔大王), who would judge and assign the dead to 1 of 6 Buddhist Realms.

Obon starts early in Kyōto and lasts longer than many places.

The ringing of Rokudo Chinnō-ji's (六道珍皇寺) Mukae-gane (迎え鐘) welcomes the spirits of the dead back to this world on August 7th.
On August 16th the Gozan-no-Okuribi (五山送り火) guides them back to the Netherworld.

🙏🔔THE DEAD RETURN🪦👋

For a few days in August, with the simple ringing of a temple bell, our ancestors are once again invited back to the world of the living for a brief vacation.

It is a happy reunion of remembrance, lanterns, dance and (in Kyōto) giant mountain bonfires.

Some of you may find the name 'Otowa-no-taki' (音羽の滝) familiar, and that is because Kiyomizu-dera's waterfall is also called the 'Sound of Feathers Falls'.

That sacred waterfall is the source of the temple's name...
Kiyomizu '清水'🤔='pure waters'😌

Coined in 1982 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 'shinrin-yoku' (森林浴) is the idea that 'bathing' in nature will reap therapeutic benefits.

While I've never heard anyone actually use this term, I absolutely subscribe to the revitalizing power of forests🙌

Nao-san swapped the tearoom for the ridiculously refreshing Otowa-no-taki (音羽の滝) in Kameoka.

far and near
the sound of waterfalls
through the young leaves
おちこちに滝の音聞く若ばかな
-Yosa Buson (与謝蕪村 1716-84).
Trans. Ueda Makoto.

#Kyoto #京都 #Kameoka #亀岡 #Japan

🌄🌳FOREST BATH💦🧖‍♀️

No thoughts, just cooling vibes...

#Kyoto #京都 #Kameoka #亀岡 #Japan #森林浴 #forestbathing #mountainday #山の日 #音羽の滝 #Otowanotaki

"Having now recovered from the A-bomb calamity, Hiroshima's deepest wish is the elimination of all nuclear weapons and the realization of a genuinely peaceful international community."
-Mission statement, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

#Hiroshima #HiroshimaDay #広島

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (広島平和記念公園) was built on what was once the city's busiest downtown commercial/residential district before 1945.

Nearby Aioi Bridge (相生橋), because of its distinctive 'T'-shape and central location, was used as a target when dropping the bomb.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (広島平和記念資料館) was designed by renowned architect Tange Kenzō (丹下健三 1913-2005).
Opened in 1955, the plain design of the building ensures that visitors are not distracted from the exhibits within.

#Hiroshima #広島 #広島平和記念資料館

After the bomb was dropped people feared nothing would grow on the decimated earth for 75 years.
The very next spring red kyōchikutō (夾竹桃 - oleander) began to bloom, bringing hope.
Scientists were shocked that ginkgos close to the epicenter recovered without any deformations!

For those wanting to learn more about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the aftermath, Keiji Nakazawa's (中沢啓治) semi-autobiographical and devastatingly honest 'Barefoot Gen' (はだしのゲン 'Hidashi-no-Gen') is a good place to start.

Viewer discretion-

https://youtu.be/FQZtfDQl2TQ?si=pzr3T5QnH2Uz97mK