Ceremony and Ritual in Japan

by Robert George, Dec 13, 2002 | Destinations: Japan / Tokyo
Springtime in Japan is one of the year's most anticipated events. With it comes Ohanami--cherry blossom time. During Ohanami season, which lasts only a few short weeks, the people of Japan turn out in droves to gather in city parks and private gardens in celebration of the ephemeral beauty of the flowering trees.

Springtime in Japan is one of the year's most anticipated events. With it comes Ohanami--cherry blossom time. During Ohanami season, which lasts only a few short weeks, the people of Japan turn out in droves to gather in city parks and private gardens in celebration of the ephemeral beauty of the flowering trees.

Springtime in Japan is one of the year's most anticipated events. With it comes Ohanami--cherry blossom time. During Ohanami season, which lasts only a few short weeks, the people of Japan turn out in droves to gather in city parks and private gardens in celebration of the ephemeral beauty of the flowering trees.
The New Year is Japan's most important celebration. At this time, the people of Japan visit shrines and temples to pray for blessings in the year to come. Families gather to enjoy specially prepared foods called O-sechi, and to exchange seasonal gifts. One traditional New Year's gift is a symbolic arrow to ward off bad fortune in the coming year.
On New Year's Day, all over Japan, people pay a visit to nearby shrines and temples to pray for health and prosperity in the coming year. Visitors remove their shoes to preserve both the sanctity and the cleanliness of these holy places.
In the heart of Gunma Prefecture near Mt. Haruna, is the ancient temple known as Mizusawa, dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Amid a cloud of incense, this visitor offers a prayer to the images of Fudosan, the patron saint of suffering.

A story told with photos.

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Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San--Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.

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In Japan, children are treated with the utmost care and attention. The literacy rate in Japan ranks among the world's highest, and the infant mortality rate is among the lowest. Despite its population density and astronomical cost of living, Japan provides excellent 'quality of life' for its children.

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