Tea Ceremony Saijiki

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Tea Ceremony Saijiki

茶道の歳時記

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a cup of tea
in my small room -
insects of autumn

Gabi Greve, 2005

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- under construction -

The Japanese Tea Ceremony
(chadoo　茶道, cha no yu 茶の湯),
the Way of Tea, has many seasonal events.



茶の湯の銘大百科

季節の言葉に見られる美しい日本語　。。。［稲畑汀子］

Great Dictionary about the Tea Ceremony
One of the authors is Inahata Teiko, the Haiku Master.
http://tankosha.topica.ne.jp/special/bookfair/2005_07/book1.html

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Sasaki Sanmi, "Chado: The Way of Tea -- A Japanese Tea Master's Almanac",
translated by Shaun McCabe and Iwasaki Satoko, foreword by Shen Soshitsu XV
(Tuttle, 2002)

The book is very pricy, but for those interested in both chado and haiku, it is a very worthwhile investment. The book is highly idiosyncratic, but gives a good idea of how a spcecific tea-master's mind worked (1893-1969), and includes lengthy sections on foods and other
seasonal items, month by month. He was also a recognized haiku master, and the book includes many haiku, with somewhat awkward translations.

Unlike the Japanese book cited above, this one is less concerned with universals of chado, more with one specific person's approach to it all.

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The Japanese tea ceremony is usually celebrated is a separate room or house, the Tea Ceremony Room, chashitsu 茶室.



This tea room of the temple Ginkaku-Ji in Kyoto is said to be the first of its kind in Japan.

I love
My hut
At the foot of the Moon-awaiting Mountain
And the reflection
Of the sinking sky

Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436-1490) ... and more about this place.


. Kyoto - Higashiyama Culture .
Ginkaku-Ji 銀閣寺, Yoshimasa 足利義政, Doojinsai 同仁斎

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yoojibashira 楊枝柱　"toothpick pillar"
The corner pillar of the host's mat is partly hidden.
jojibashira



. tsumayooji (tsumajoji) 爪楊枝　toothpick .

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Homepage of the Urasenke 　裏千家のＨＰ
http://www.urasenke.or.jp/textm/headq/soke/

© Urasenke Homepage Canada

裏千家の家元、千宗室
Interview with Sen Soshitsu (Sen Sooshitsu) 　 Present Iemoto

"Chanoyu: an Anthropological Approach to Tea,"
Jennifer Anderson 　

... ... ...

Yabunouchi Tea School 藪内流 WKD

Sen Sotan 千宗旦 (1578-1658)
Sootangitsune 宗旦狐 Sotan the Fox

Matsudaira Fumai (松平不昧) and the Matsue Tea Ceremony
Matsudaira Harusato (松平治郷) (1751-1818)


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Teacups chawan 茶碗 are very important in the tea ceremony.

Here are some from Raku Kichizaemon XV
樂 吉左衛門

　楽茶碗 Tea Cups in the RAKU style WKD

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The rain stayed away
This night was hot and moonie
Raku is the best

--Sarah M. and Natalie C.



Read more here:
　©　Annual Raku firing with Ellis students
-- tea ceremony and haiku

. Tea cups and pots - Dragon Design .

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Lid stand (futa oki, futaoki　蓋置き)
To keep the lid of the water kettle off the floor.
This small item made of various materials, including porcelain, bamboo or carved wood.
To give it a seasonal touch, in winter a pine cone is used, in summer a butterfly.

CLICK for more LINKS !

. Tea Kettles 茶釜 chagama .

. chasen 茶筅 / 茶筌　/ 茶せん tea whisk .

Kaishi 懐紙 "pocket paper"

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hanebooki, hane-booki 羽根ぼうき / 羽箒
feather to ritually clean the hearth, feather broom
(habooki 羽箒) Federbesen
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


炭斗の羽箒に来る鼠かな
sumitori no habooki ni kuru nezumi kana

she comes to the
feather broom in the coal basket -
this mouse

Shiwasu san 師走

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Sweets served for the tea ceremony,
chagashi 茶菓子
tea cakes, teacakes, Teekuchen

omogashi 主菓子, main cake for a tea ceremony

The cakes bring the seasons into the tearoom. Their names are also made to reflect the season and to show the poetic associations of olden times. Many are named after famous poems.

WAGASHI ... Sweets SAIJIKI



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Worldwide use

China

Gongfu Cha
The place of tea time in England, tea ceremony in Japan, gongfu cha in China... show that tea is more than a drink. It's a social activity. One that let's us exchange and share a common feeling with friends, family or even strangers.

Chinese Tea Masters
External LINK by Stéphane Erler

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Germany

Jahreszeiten im Teeweg , Jahreszeitenworte

by Gerhardt Staufenbiel, Urasenke Teelehrer (Teamaster)

Read the German explanations here:
Jahreszeiten im Teeweg, by Gerhardt Staufenbiel

"Was ist der geheime Hintergrund für die Verwendung des Furo im Sommer und des Ro im Winter?"
"Ruf im Sommer das tiefe Empfinden einer kühlen Frische und im Winter das einer geborgenen Wärme hervor.
Leg die Holzkohle so, daß sie das Wasser richtig erhitzt und bereite einen Tee, der erfreut - das ist das ganze Geheimnis!"
Sen no Rikyû

The German text is found here:
http://www.teeweg.de/de/kisetsu/jahreszeiten.html

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12 Months in the Tea Ceremony

kigo for the New Year



hatsugama　初釜 "first use of the kettle"
First tea ceremony of a new year.
..... hatsu chanoyu 初茶湯（はつちゃのゆ）
..... kamahajime 釜始（かまはじめ）
..... tatezome 点初（たてぞめ）
..... hatsu temae 初点前（はつてまえ）
..... temae hajime 点茶始（てんちゃはじめ）
..... chanoyu hajime 茶湯始（ちゃのゆはじめ）

New year decoration with willow branches
kake yanagi　掛柳 (かけやなぎ)




hatsu chashaku 初茶杓 first use of the tea scoop
..... hatsu kezuri 初削/削初 first carving
A new scoop is carved and used at the first tea ceremony of the year.



hikizome 挽初 (ひきぞめ)
first grinding of powdered tea
..... cha no hikizome 茶の挽初（ちゃのひきぞめ）


Obukucha おぶくちゃ　
First tea ceremony of the new year. Using the first well water (wakamizu) and heating the hearth for the first time. A quiet ceremony for the tea master and his family.
. Good Health (Luck) Tea, fukucha　福茶 .
..... oobuku, oofuku　大服
..... oofukucha, oobukucha　大福茶 , 皇服茶
..... ofukucha　御福茶


. First drawing of Well Water (wakamizu 若水) .



Tenarai hajime : Raku family of tea ceramics
手習始め. 楽家.
Introducing the Raku Family.

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一月 Ichigatsu - JANUARY

茶入 Chaire - Behälter für den dicken Tee - Containers for thick tea
来福 Raifuku
初草 Hatsu Kusa

茶杓 Chashaku - Teelöffel - Tea Scoops
. 蓬莱山 Horai San (hoorai san).
千代の光 Chiyo no Hikari




茶碗 Chawan - Teeschalen - Tea Bowls
雲海 Unkai, Sea of clouds
瑞雲 Zuiun

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二月 Nigatsu - February

茶入 Chaire - Container for powdered tea
山の神 Yama no Kami, God of the Mountains
暮雪 Bosetsu, Much Snow

茶杓 Chashaku - Tea scoop
籬の雪 Magaki no Yuki
春の水 Haru no Mizu, water of spring
洗心 Sen Shin senshin

茶碗 Chawan
雪国 Yukiguni, Snow country
夜寒 Yosamu, Cold Night
東雲 Shino Nome
宿の梅 Yado no Ume, Plums at the resthouse


akatsuki no chaji 暁の茶事 "dawn tea ceremony"
A tea ceremoniy held in the coldest season of the year. It starts at 4 a.m. and the participants enjoy the dawn of the new day. It starts with candle light and slowly things become more visible as the day breakes and light comes through the small windows.

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三月 Sangatsu - March

. Rikyuu Ki 利休忌 Rikyu Memorial Day.
Memorial ceremony of the death day of Sen Rikyu.


tsurigama 釣釜 (つりがま) hanging kettle
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
quote
The Tsurigama is a slightly narrower kettle which is hung from a chain exactly above the Ro charcoal pit. The Kan rings are different from those used when removing a normal Kama from the fire. The chain, the rings, and the handle are available for reasonable prizes to extremely expensive sets with a name made by famous smiths and come in their own box.
source : the-japanese-tea-ceremony.blogspot.jp


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四月 Shigatsu - April

. "sweet tea", amacha 甘茶 (あまちゃ) .
"water with five scents", gokoosui 五香水（ごこうすい）
"water of five colors, goshiki no mizu
五色の水（ごしきのみず）
Buddha's Birthday on April 8


. hachijuuhachiya 八十八夜
eighty-eighth day from the beginning of spring.
The best time for picking tea leaves

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The Haiku Summer starts in May.

humanity kigo for all summer

furocha 風炉茶 (ふろちゃ)
tea ceremony with the furo brazier
..... furo temae 風炉手前（ふろてまえ）
hatsuburo (shoburo) 初風炉（はつぶろ） first use of the furo brazier
The furo brazier is used from May to November.



asa cha no yu 朝茶の湯 (あさちゃのゆ)
tea ceremony in the morning
natsu cha no yu 夏茶の湯（なつちゃのゆ）
tea ceremony in summer
..... natsu temae 夏点前（なつてまえ）

asacha 朝茶（あさちゃ）"tea in the morning"

asa chaji 朝茶事
Tea ceremonies held in the cool hours of the early morning, beginning at 6, before the heat of day begins. Light refreshments are served with the tea.



meisuidate 名水点（めいすいだて）
entertaining with famous water
Tea masters especially in Kyoto would go to a famous well to scoop water. They use a special purified wooden container to transport the water.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


natsujawan 夏茶碗（なつぢゃわん） tea cup for summer
The pattern will bring a feeling of coolness.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


. Saidaiji Oochamori, oo-cha mori
西大寺大茶盛 (さいだいじおおちゃもり)
serving big cups of green tea at temple Saidai-Ji
..... oochamori 大茶盛（おおちゃもり) "big teacup"

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五月 Gogatsu - May

新茶 shincha, new tea, fresh green tea
茶摘み chatsumi, picking tea leaves
茶摘歌 chatsumi uta, song of the tea pickers
In olden times, girls dressed in special kimono and headgear would go out to pick the tea leaves.
Click HERE to look at photos.

山門を出れば日本ぞ茶摘うた
sanmon o dereba nihon zo chatsumi uta

outside the temple gate
it's Japan again!
the song of tea pickers

Read a discussion of this haiku:
Tr. Gabi Greve

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六月 Rokugatsu - June

Ryô Ichimi 涼一味 ryooichimi . Coolness
The head of the Urasenke Tea Ceremony, Sen Soshitsu (Sen Sooshitsu)　 裏千家の家元、千宗室, talked about ways to stage the coolness, for example using a large fresh green leaf as cover of the water container (habuta　葉蓋) or wringing the little linen cleansing cloth in a way it produces the fresh sound of clear water (arai jakin 洗い茶巾). The intention is to create an aesthetically cool feeling, not to physically cool anything.
Read more:
Sen Soshitsu about Stageing of Coolness in the Tea Ceremony.

meisuidate　名水点 Using famous well water for the tea
tsurube mizusashi つるべ水差し square cedar box water container

Esai-ki 英西忌 Memorial Day of Eisai
Kenchû-ki 剣仲忌 (Kenchuu) Memorial Day

Ômi-jingû Schrein Kencha 近江神宮献茶 (Oomi Jinguu)

. Koorin-ki 光琳忌 Korin Memorial Day .
Ogata Korin, Ogata Koorin 尾形光琳 (1657 - 1716)

. Oribe-ki 織部忌 Oribe Memorial Day .
Chôandô-ki (Chooandoo)
Furuta Oribe 古田織部 (1544 -1615)

Rokugatsu no harae 六月の戒
..... Summer Purification Ceremony (nagoshi)　

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七月 Shichigatsu - July

. Kenchabune 献茶舟（けんちゃぶね） boat for ritual tea ceremony .
at the Tenmangu Shrine Festival in Osaka 天満祭

flowers arranged taking turns turn, mawaribana まわりばな 廻り花、回り花
Each participant has to put one flower in the vase for a flower arrangement. The vase is then placed in the tokonoma. The flower arrangement has to match the hanging scroll theme. The vase is usually made of bamboo with a cut at the top.

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The Haiku Autumn starts in August.

八月 Hachigatsu - August

Hassaku-gama 八朔釜 Tea kettle used at the Hassaku ceremony.
Hassaku Harvest Festival, Hassaku sai, Hassaku no Iwai Japan

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Kado-cha 門茶 "tea at the gate"
..... settai 摂待
giving tea as alms at the temple gate
From the first of the 7th lunar month to the 24th.
Tea is prepared at the gate and given to monks and pilgrims. Sometimes a full tea ceremony with food is given as alms.
. o-settai, settai 摂待 giving alms to henro pilgrims .

摂待や猫がうけとる茶釜番
settai ya neko ga uketoru chagama ban

giving tea to the pilgrims -
the cat is also served
by the teakettle caretaker

Kobayashi Issa

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九月 Kugatsu - September

Naka-oki 中置


Koogetsu ki 月江忌 Kogetsu Memorial Day (Gekkoo)
Abt Koogetsu Soogan 江月宗玩 (1574 - 1643), temple Daitoku-Ji 大徳寺.

Uji no Cha-matsuri 字治の茶祭 Tea Festival at Uji
source : chamatsuri
. Different types of Green Tea from Japan .


Bashoo Ki 芭蕉忌 Bashoki, Basho Ki Matsuo Basho Memorial Day

MORE - hokku about drinking tea with
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .

Yasukuni-jinja Kencha 靖国神社献茶, Tea Ceremony at Yasukuni Shrine

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十月 Juugatsu - October

Nagori no chaji 名残の茶事
Furo-nagori　風炉名残 "parting with the furo"
At the end of autumn, the last tea of this year is drunk in rememberance of the warmer season. Now the winter will soon start.
At the end of October, the furo 風炉 is put away and replaced by the ro 炉.
A special tea ceremony is held to part with the hearth for the next half year.


Ichio-ki 一翁忌　Ichio Memorial Day
(around October 19)
A tea ceremony on the anniversary of the death of the tea master Sen Ichio Soshu 一翁宗守 （1593～1675, the fourth generation from Rikyu.
He was the founder of the tearoom Kankyuan 官休庵(Kankyuu-An).

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十一月 Juuichigatsu - November

Robiraki　炉開き"Opening the hearth"
irori hiraki 囲炉裏開く（いろりひらく）"opening the open hearth"
The hearth 炉 is opened for the first time since April. Tea for this cereomny is prepared with tea powder made from leaves freshly picked that summer.
This hearth, ro, will be used from now until the following April.



nurirobuchi 塗炉縁 ぬりろぶち fuchi edge of the hearth
kijirobuchi 木地炉縁（きじろぶち）wooden edge around the hearth
a square hearth protection. Some of famous temples are decorated with laquer and inlay.


Kuchikiri no chaji 口切の茶事 (くちきり) opening the tea jar
kuchikiri, kuchi kiri 口切（くちきり)
kuchikiri chakai 口切茶会（くちきりちゃかい） Kuchikiri tea ceremony
now around November 16
It used to be the 30th day of the 9th lunar month.
Tea leaves picked in early summer are packed inside jars and mature until November. Now the jars are opened (kuchi kiri : open the mouth of the jar).
The leaves are then ground into powder for powdered green matcha.
At this tea ceremony, the tea is prepared using the first fresh powder.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Matsuo Basho remembers Sen Rikyu
and the kuchikiri ceremony in Sakai
. kuchikiri ni Sakai no niwa zo natsukashiki .


口切のとまり客あり峰の坊
kuchikiri ni tomarikyaku ari mine no boo

for the opening of the tea jar
there are visitors over night -
mountain retreat

. Tan Taigi 炭太祇 .

. . . . .

shiki matsuba 敷松葉 (しきまつば) spreading pine needles

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十二月 Juunigatsu - December

Kotohajime 事始
Preparations for welcoming the new year begin. Greetings for the year end are made on this day. Around December 11.


Joyagama 除夜釜
On New Year's Eve (joya), the family and close students of a tea master drink the final tea of the year in the tea master's home. The fire built at this time is used for the first Obukucha the following year on the next morning. Thus the tradition is continued from one year to the next.


Yobanashi no chaji 夜話の茶事 "Talking at nightfall"
Tea ceremonies are held in candlelight from nightfall until evening. Food is served and the cold and maybe snow can be enjoyed. It starts at 6 o'clock.
..... yobanashi 夜咄 (よばなし)
..... rohenbanashi 炉辺話（ろへんばなし）
..... yobanashi saji 夜咄茶事（よばなしさじ）

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Each Month with its tea-related kigo
From a Japanese Saijiki
http://www.sadoukaikan.com/tea/saijiki.html


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Things found on the way

Daruma san, だるまさん　達磨さん、 the Indian Monk Bodhidaruma, practised Zazen for long hours. When he got sleepy, he cut off his eyelids and threw them away. Later he found a plant had grown out of them. He collected the leaves and brewed the first tea ... says the legend.

Daruma is closely related to tea for this reason !!!

Here is a special online museum for Daruma san only.
Daruma Museum Japan by Gabi Greve


The Old Tea Road from Yunnan to Lhasa .. Pu Erh Tea and Salt
茶葉古道（ちゃばこどう)

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HAIKU

NARACHA ... 奈良茶

Matsuo Basho was very fond of Naracha rice gruel served at Haikai Meetings.

侘びて澄め月侘斎が奈良茶歌
. wabite sume tsuki wabisai ga Naracha uta .
Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD

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The Hundred Poems of Chanoyu 茶の湯百首

(92)
茶の湯には梅、寒菊に、黃葉落、靑竹、枯木、曉の霜
(The essence of) chanoyu (may be found) by (the contemplation of) these (images): the ume and the kan-giku; the scattering of the colored leaves, the (vitality of) green bamboo, and (the solitude and silence of a) leafless tree (in the depths of winter); the frost at dawn.

Daniel M. Burkus
source : chanoyu-to-wa

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clear mind
viewing the garden
drinking tea

Gabi Greve, 2005
Inside the Zen gardens of Master Shunmyo Masuno

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autumn solitude -
I share my cup of tea
with ALL of you !

Isn't the Internet a great place !
Click HERE to see my teapot philosophy !
Gabi Greve, September 2006　　　

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Geert Verbeke, January 2006
http://users.skynet.be/geert.verbeke.bowls

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late spring -
the old kettle
still shines

Gabi Greve, April 2007
short history of the tea kettle

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Related words

Saijiki of Buddhist, Shinto and other Ceremonies and Events of Japan

The Old Tea Road from Yunnan to Lhasa
茶馬古道（ちゃばこどう) Chaba Kodo




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Pulling Pine Seedlings (komatsu hiki)

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Pulling Pine Seedlings (komatsu hiki)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: New Year
***** Category: Observance
komatsubiki
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Explanation






Click on any of the dolls on this link to see the details!
© http://evagenji.hp.infoseek.co.jp/co-2002-12-9.htm

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On the first day of the rat, people used to go to the fields and pull out the first herbs and greens (nanakusa, see below), including small pine seedlings with the roots. This practise started in the late Nara period and enjoyed by the members of the aristocracy at court. It was a well-loved ceremony and appreas on many paintings, screens and scrolls.

Pines, which do not falter during frost and snow, are a symbol for long life. The small pine seedlings were thought to be sepecially auspicious.

The sliding door paintings of Reizei Tamechika 令泉為恭 (1823-64) in the temple Daijuji 大樹寺, Okazaki Town, are especially famous.



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Kigo related to this event

pulling out small pine seeldings, komatsu hiki　小松引
..... pulling pine seeldings, matsubiki　松引
.... young pine, wakamatsu 若松

first day of the rat, hatsune 初子
day of the rat 子の日
playing at the first rat day, ne no hi no asobi 子の日の遊び, 子日遊び

"small princess pine", hime komatsu 姫小松 ひめこまつ
..... "pine like a tea whisk", chasen matsu 茶筅松

pines of the day of the rat, ne no hi no matsu 子の日の松
greens of the day of the rat, ne no hi gusa 子の日草

dress for the day of the rat, ne no hi goromo　子の日衣

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WKD : The Asian Lunar Calendar Reference


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way

Hatsune, not to be mixed up with

"the first sound", hatsune 初音,
name of a gentle lady in the Tale of Genji.

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HAIKU

子の日しに都へ行かん友もがな　
ne no hi shi ni miyako e ikan tomo mo gana

I would like to go to the capital
to enjoy the First Day of the Rat
but there is no friend to come with me . . .
Tr. Gabi Greve

Written in 1687 貞亨2年
Basho was again in his homeground, Iga Ueno, to spend the New Year.
Nozarashi.

. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .


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公家の手に豆出かしたる子の日哉
kuge no te ni mame dekashitaru ne no ki kana

the hands of aristocrats
get corns ...
day of the rat

横井也有 Yokoi Yayuu
http://www.geocities.jp/haikunomori/yayu/haru02.html

Aristocrats and their ladies were not used to manual labour of any kind.

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Haiku by Issa

榎迄引抜れたる子の日哉
enoki made hiki-nukeretaru ne no hi kana

even a nettle tree
is uprooted...
first day of Rat

Pulling up a young pine tree on the first day of Rat is a custom that originated in China. Shinji Ogawa explains that its purpose was to bring good luck or longevity. Here, instead of a pine, someone indiscriminantly uproots a young nettle tree.


袴着て芝にころりと子の日哉
hakama kite shiba ni gorori to ne no hi kana

with his sword's sheath
curled to sleep on the lawn...
first day of Rat


小松引人とて人のおがむ也
ko matsu hiku hito tote hito no ogamu nari

yanking up
a little pine
he says a prayer

Issa (Tr. David Lanoue

.......................................................................

-- in praise of cranes --

人の引小松の千代やさみすらん
hito no hiku ko matsu no chiyo ya samisuran

humans pull up
young thousand-year pines --
cranes seem unimpressed

This hokku is from the tenth month (November) of 1820, when Issa was in and around his hometown. On 10/5 Issa's second son Ishitarō was born, and on 10/16 Issa slipped and fell and discovered he had become temporarily partially paralyzed, so he may have brushed this hokku using only one hand and arm. It seems to be a hokku for the upcoming new year, since it evokes the custom of going out into the woods on the first day of the rat in the new year and pulling up pine saplings, roots and all, which were then taken home and revered as a symbol of longevity, since pines were said, according to a tradition going back to ancient China, to live a thousand years. Issa seems skeptical of this custom, and this hokku looks at it from the point of view of cranes, which were also said by tradition to live a thousand years.
Since the headnote says the hokku is written in praise of cranes, the verb in the last line seems to take the cranes as its subject.

In the hokku people who have come to the woods to pull up young pines on the first day of the rat no doubt envy the cranes when they see the birds in or below a grown pine nearby or perhaps flying through the sky above, and they hope to emulate the long-lived birds by taking home young pines and displaying them in their homes as prayers for a long life and happiness. The cranes, however, do not seem to return the respect shown by the humans when they catch sight of the impressive birds.

According to Issa the cranes seem to regard the humans as intruders. Perhaps they make cries of dismay, or perhaps they look at the humans with hard, cold stares. In any case, Issa senses that they don't seem happy to see these strange humans pulling up young pine trees. Following tradition, Issa may be suggesting that the cranes seem to look down on these out-of-place humans so much that they pity them. They themselves naturally live a thousand years -- a symbol for many, many long bird-years -- but all these poor humans can do is crudely imitate cranes by pulling up young pines, thereby ensuring that the saplings never live live to anything like their full lifespan. Issa's suggestion seems to be that humans should stop harming pines and other natural objects and instead learn how to live naturally long lives the way cranes do.

Soon after this hokku in Issa's diary are placed two hokku that are evidently prayers for the vigorous growth of Issa's second son Ishitarō, so the above hokku may also indirectly express Issa's hope that his second son will grow up to be a naturally strong person who will lead a spontaneously long, healthy life like a crane. Unfortunately Issa's second son died in the first month of the next year.

Chris Drake

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Related words

***** Pine (matsu, Japan) 松

***** Seven Herbs of Spring (haru no nanakusa) (Japan)


WKD: Ceremonies of Japan Nihon no Gyooji　日本の行事


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[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]

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Praying Mantis

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Praying Mantis (kamakiri, Japan)

***** Location: Japan, other regions
***** Season: All Autumn, others see below
***** Category: Animal

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Explanation

praying mantis, praying mantid,
kamakiri 鎌切 Tenodora aridifolia
..... tooroo, tōrō 螳螂
..... ibomushiri いぼむしり, ibojiri　いぼじり
kokamakiri 小かまきり（こかまきり) small praying mantis
..... ax insect, ono-mushi斧虫
..... praying insect, 祈り虫
"Chinese mantid" Paratenodera sinensis
kigo for all autumn


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Kigo for Mid-Summer
mantis is born, tooroo umaru　蟷螂生まる

baby mantis, kokamakiri 小かまきり
..... tooroo no ko 蟷螂の子
In May and June the babies come out in great numbers. They already look like the parents, just in a smaller edition. They start lifting their little arms like a grown mantis, yet they are still all soft green.

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Kigo for early winter

tooroo karu 蟷螂枯る (とうろうかる)
withering praying mantis
karetooroo 枯蟷螂（かれとうろう）


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Most kids have tried keeping praying mantises at one time or another. There are a number of strangely shaped and colorful tropical mantises which are now being bred in captivity.

Read more about this interesting insect
http://www.herper.com/insects/mantids.html

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Worldwide use


Gottesanbeterin


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Things found on the way

Haibun by Carol Raisfeld A few weeks ago, as it was turning cooler, spider webs were everywhere...early morning dew made them all sparkle. Passing our hinoki tree I heard the birds, looked up and saw this praying mantis caught in a giant web. My heart skipped a beat as I watched him struggle to free himself. He was huge and so beautiful. I ran into the house to get my gardening gloves and was back at the tree in record time. Gently I took him from the web and placed him in one of the nearby flowerpots filled with impatiens and daisies. I knew the struggle took it's toll because he didn't move much and I have no idea how long he was trapped with no food or water. Hopefully he would drink the dew and water from the leaves in the flowerpot. I must have come out to look at him six or seven times that day ... He seemed to be losing his color and I felt so sorry for him... and me. I just wanted to cry. I really wanted to remember him, so I got my camera and as I snapped this photo he looked up at me as if to say thanks for giving me a little more time. In the morning I found him lying under the flowers... his final resting place. I still think about him and I'm glad I have this photo to share. Now I know he won't be forgotten ... I wonder if he knows. early morning - a twig in the flowerpot turns to the sun Published with permission Original from November 2002 is here http://home.alc.co.jp/db/owa/ph_diary?stage=show&diary_sn_in=311 ... ... ... And here is a reply from "chibi" (pen-name for Dennis M. Holmes) In a Taoist view -- the spider was deprived of an essential meal that would have helped perpetuate the spider family. We, as humans, are graced with both the curse and cure of transfering our values to and from nature. Indeed, Carol followed her heart. I too struggle to action through head and/or heart. Now, my "scientific" mind probes what was happening to the mantis in Carol's story. I suspect that the spider had "bitten" the mantis and the mantis was dying from the poison. Also, the mantis had probably laid her eggs already and the end of her life was close. Perhaps, a story could be spun (excuse the spider's pun) that the mantis ate the spider that bit her? A Greek tragedy of the order of Sophocles could be written from this "natural" drama. The insect world is as alien to us humans as any UFO-ologist could imagine! In fact, if you look with an eye towards that relationship, the mantis face does look Area 51 familiar!! (aside -- Dear Carol, your haibun is beautiful and I do not intend to deter from that. If I have in any way, I beg forgiveness. It did for me make me pause to appreciate the many layers of that moment. Thank you.) ... ... ... Gabi: It is indeed difficult to know when to interfere and when not, the Chinese WU WEI is one way of teaching us. Do not do anything (if it is not in proper timing), my addidion in parenthesis. deep silence - the song of insects magnified ... ... ... Carol: It is very enlightening to read about the Taoist view, and it's true I deprived the spider family of an essential meal that would have helped perpetuate the spider family (now I feel badly for the spider family). But I had to follow my heart when I saw the plight of the mantis, thinking I could save her... I'm sure to disturb the balance of nature is not good, but we tend to interject human values into these situations. I know after reading this I will think twice about intervening in 'natural' happenings. But when we have to follow our heart, I imagine that's a part of what makes us human after all.;-) deep night the silence of a spider spinning ... ... ... Gabi: I think the death of this mantis was not in vain after all now. It gave rise to many haiku and food for thought. I hope many will read this and think about life and death, sun and rain, yin and yang more deeply. Below is a note on the WU WEI philosopy.

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WU WEI

Laozi’s (Lao Tse, Lao Tsu, Lao Dse) famous slogan has puzzled interpreters for centuries and has given rise to numerous interpretations. Arguably, Laozi knew it was paradoxical since the complete slogan is wu-wei and yet wu not-wei. The first character is not the main problem (see You-wu). Wu is simply "does not exist."

In this phrase, however, interpreters treat it as a negative prescription: "avoid wei." Chinese texts include many similar uses and we commonly read other declarative sentences in The Laozi as prescriptions. So, let us take it as saying that one should lack wei–whatever that is. Saying what wei is is the harder problem.

Textbook interpretations say wei means "purpose." In modern Mandarin, the character has two different tones. The fourth tone reading is usually translated as "for the sake of." In the second tone reading, the character would normally be translated as ‘to act.’ Thus, translators argue, wu-wei really means no purposive action. The whole slogan is "no purposive action and yet do act."

Read a scholarly excursion on the subject of WU WEI
http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch/wuwei.htm

................................... Zhuangzi (ChuangTzu 莊子)
Chad Hansen's Chinese Philosophy Pages
http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch/


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HAIKU

かりかりと蟷螂蜂の皃(かお)を食む
karikari to kooroo hachi no kao o kamu

crunching and munching -
the mantis chews on
the bee's face
(Tr. Gabi Greve)

karikari is an onomatopoetic expression, mimicking the sound of the mantis eating a bee, as it sounds to the Japanese ear.

Yamaguchi Seishi
http://www.suien.net/seishi/kansyo.htm

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> mantis ~
> making haiku
> in the still meadow

eric l. houck jr.
http://haiku.cc.ehime-u.ac.jp/~shiki/shiki.archive/html/9809/0300.html

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baby mantis
staggers along the pavement
raindrops

http://www.ahapoetry.com/Ssgam54.htm

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Related words

***** Insects (mushi) (05) Autumn insects, aki no mushi



. ANIMALS in all SEASONS
SAIJIKI


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Power Stones (chikara ishi)

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Power Stone, Strenght Stone (chikara ishi)
chikaraishi, chikara-ishi
***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Non-seasonal Topic
***** Category: Humanity

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Explanation

Since olden times, people like to compare their strengh. In Japan, at many temples and shrines there are heavy stones and the menfolk try to lift them as a special event during the annual autumn festival.

A priest famous for his physical strength, Benkei, has stones named in his honor, Benkei Ishi　弁慶の力石.

In Japan, it was also cutsom since old times to lift a stone after making a wish and judge from the feeling of the weight weather the wish was granted or not. These are the famous "Heavy-light Stones", which I have described in detail here.
Heavy-light Stones / Omokaru Ishi おもかる石. 重軽石.

This was a form of "Stone Oracle" ishi-ura 石占（いしうら).

At the Yokkaichi University, there is a group devoted to the study of these stones. They have a huge haiku collection, which I will introduce below.



The strong men of the village who could lift the heaviest stone for the longest time were of couse venerated by all and called Strong Men, chikaramochi 力持ち.

The oldest stones with inscriptions are found at the Hachiman Shrine at Kuki Town, Saitama Pref.
埼玉県久喜市樋の口の八幡神社力石　



The information is taken from the site of Yokkaichi University.
http://www.za.ztv.ne.jp/takashim/chikara1.htm

Gabi Greve


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External LINKS

全国の力石研究 (Study of power stones in Japan)
very extensive !
source : takashima

source : 力石・俳句・短歌・狂歌・川柳


. Japanese Reference .


. . . CLICK here for Photos from Shrines !
力石 神社

. . . CLICK here for Photos from Temples !
力石 寺


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Worldwide use

Scotland

Scottish Stone Lifting

quote
Lifting stones are common throughout northern Europe, particularly Scotland, Iceland (where it is referred to as steintökin), Scandinavia and Northern England. They were usually heavy local stones, without any modification, with the challenge being to lift such a stone, proving your strength. Some of the stones are in fact so heavy that there has been no authenticated lift in modern times, only legend. Recently, lifting stones have often been incorporated into the World's Strongest Man competitions.

Clach cuid fir, Gaelic for "Manhood Stones", originate from Scotland and Clach-ultaich.

In Iceland, lifting stones were categorised into the fullsterkur ("full strength") weighing 155 kg (341 pounds), the hálfsterkur ("half strength") at 104 kg (228.8 pounds), hálfdrættingur ("weakling") at 49 kg (107.8 pounds) and amlóði ("Useless") at 23 kg (50.6 pounds).

Basque
Stone lifting is also a traditional sport in the Basque Country involving the lifting of stone, called harri jasoketa.

The stone carry or stone walk
is a traditional Scottish and Icelandic athletic event involving the carrying of large stones down the field of competition.

©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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Switzerland and Spain

The weigh-lifting game by using stone is played in the mountain areas in Switzerland and Spain. Also in Japan, it has been played among the people since the Edo era (1603-1867), and it was called "chikara-ishi".

Chikara-ishi (Stone-lifting) in Awaji Isl., Hyogo Prefecture
Such chikara-ishi now found here and there at shrines and temples in the northern part of Awaji Isl., in Hyogo Prefecture. Those who did this stone-lifting were the young serf named otoko-shu.

In summer, in the evenings, when their work was over, they gathered in a meeting place or a shrine or the ground of a temple in twos and threes and they competed for strength by lifting or practiced carrying stones. But as the change of social structure brought about a decline in the number of people of the "otoko-shu-class", labor became mechanized and the way of recreation was changed, and stone ifting has ceased to be played and only the reminiscence of the past are shown in monuments.
http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/jspe3/journal/PEabstract/12/12-4.htm

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Things found on the way

The Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu
is dedicated to Sugawara-no Michizane and he is said to be a descendant of Nomi-no Sukune, who is said to be the first rikishi (sumo wrestler) in Japanese history. There was a monument dedicated to Nomi-no Sukune inDazaifu Temmangu shrine.
In front of this monument, there are three large egg-shaped stones sitting on the ground. These are so-called"Chikara Ishi" or power stones. Men who are extremely proud of their own power used these stones to compete each other.
Adapted from this link
http://banzuke.com/00-1/msg00088.html


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Togoshi Hachiman Jinja Shrine, Shinagawa, Tokyo
There are also stones within the grounds called “Sashi-Ishi (Chikara-Ishi).” It is said that during the Edo Period, people played sumo and young people used to compete to see who was the strongest by shouldering these stones. Today, a children’s sumo event is held in May.

Look at some photos from the area
http://www.merit5.co.jp/gyosei/shinagawa/0509/0509_02.html


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At other shrines in Japan

Hokkaido, Yubari 北海道夕張郡栗山町中里

Hyogo prefecture, Tenman Jinja 天満神社
兵庫県姫路市大津区

Ishikawa prefecture, Ubashi Jinja 菟橋神社
石川県小松市浜田町

Niigata prefecture, Akai Jinja 赤井神社
新潟県両津市加茂歌代

Saitama prefecture, Hachiman Jinja 八幡神社
埼玉県久喜市樋の口


Tokyo Kibun Inari Jinja 紀文稲荷神社
東京都江東区永代
Tokoy, Shinobu Jinja 志演神社
東京都江東区北砂

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HAIKU
(Tr. Gabi Greve)

黒々と力の石に月照らす
kuroguro to chikara no ishi ni tsuki terasu

oh so black
on the power stones
the moonshine

森本和子 Morimoto Kazuko

ooo

秋の蝉大樹の下の力石
aki no semi taiki no shita no chikara ishi

autumn cicadas -
below the large tree
the power stones

渡辺僚子 Watanabe Ryooko

ooo

大柿の花のこぼれし力石
oo-kaki no hana no koboreshi chikara ishi

fallen flower petals
from the big persimmon tree -
power stones

伊藤和子 Itoo Kazuko


Yokkaichi University Study Group on Lifting Stones.
Takashima Shinsuke Collection

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Related words

***** Heavy-light Stones / Omokaru Ishi
おもかる石. 重軽石

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Plover (chidori)

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Plover (chidori)

***** Location: Japan, other areas
***** Season: All Winter
***** Category: Animal

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Explanation





chidori 千鳥 (ちどり) plover
..... chidori 鵆（ちどり）
medai chidori 目大千鳥（めだいちどり）"plover with big eyes"
Charadrius mongolus, Mongolian Plover

daizen 大膳（だいぜん）black-bellied plover; gray plover
Pluvialis squatarola
munaguro 胸黒（むなぐろ）"black breast"
Pluvialis family of plovers

kochidori 小千鳥（こちどり）small plover
Charadrius dubius

shirochidori 白千鳥（しろちどり）white plover
Charadrius alexandrinus

ikaruchidori, ikaru chidori 鵤千鳥（いかるちどり）
Long-billed Plover, Charadrius placidus

chidoriashi, chidori ashi 千鳥足（ちどりあし）"legs of the plover", walk of the plover
(also used about a drunk person swaying around)


isochidori, iso chidori 磯千鳥（いそちどり）
plovers on the beach
..... hama chidori 浜千鳥（はまちどり）
..... ura chidori 浦千鳥（うらちどり）

shima chidori 島千鳥（しまちどり）"island plover"
kawa chidori 川千鳥（かわちどり）"river plover"

murachidori 群千鳥（むらちどり）group of plovers
..... tomochidori 友千鳥（ともちどり）"plover friends"

toochidori 遠千鳥（とおちどり）far away plover

yuuchidori, yuu chidori 夕千鳥（ゆうちどり）plover in the evening
..... sayo chidori 小夜千鳥（さよちどり）
yuunami chidori 夕波千鳥（ゆうなみちどり）plover in the evening waves

tsukiyo chidori 月夜千鳥（つきよちどり）
plover on a moonlit night



CLICK for more samples
chidorigake 千鳥掛（ちどりがけ） a kind of stitching



The word CHIDORI can also simply mean
"a lot of birds"
momochidori ももちどり- 百千鳥, momodori ももどり


Charadrius is a genus of plovers, a group of wading birds. They are found throughout the world.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

Chidori in the Japanese wikipedia
With Latin names for easy reading.
狭義のチドリ科
Vanellus, Erythrogonys, Peltohyas, Anarhynchus, Charadrius , Eudromias ... Pluvialis
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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Quote from the Japan Times, Aug. 21, 2006
Japan was once replete with wetlands. One of the ancient names for the country, after all, was Ashihara no kuni ("land of reed plains") or, more descriptively, O-yashima toyo-ashihara no mizuho no kuni ("land of many large islands with abundant reed plains of sparkling flowering tufts"). Deities were naturally involved. The land creator O-kuni nushi no mikoto was also called Ashihara shiko-o no mikoto ("muddy male deity out of the reed plains").

One poetic name of the reed, for that matter, is Naniwa-grass. Naniwa is an old name of Osaka, suggesting that the whole region was once synonymous with reeds. "You couldn't tell whether it was land or sea" in most of the region, as one source puts it by way of explaining an 8th-century poem. The standard set of Chinese characters applied to Naniwa ("wave-flower　難波") and the etymology of the name "fish garden" both point to the same thing.

Something similar may be said of much of the plain that makes up Tokyo today. I think of a haiku by Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827) simply because it captures so vividly the spectacle of a large flock of shorebirds suddenly flying up:

shiohama o hogo ni shite tobu chidori kana

"Crumpling the briny shore
into waste paper
plovers rise."

The Japan Times © All rights reserved
Read the full article in the WKD Archives.

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way

The famous waka by Ki no Tsurayuki placed the plover frimly
in the season of winter.

思ひかね 妹がり行けば 冬の夜の
川風寒み 千鳥鳴くなり

omoikane imogari yukeba fuyu no yo no
kawakaze samumi chidori naku nari

Pressed by yearning
I set out hunting for her I love
And since the winter wind
Is cold as it blows up from the river
The plovers cry out in the night.

紀貫之 Ki no Tsurayuki
Tr. Earl Roy Miner


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Family crests with "chidori"




Tee cup with family crest




source :　antiquekimono
Yukata robe with waves and chidori pattern
波に千鳥文様絞り浴衣



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HAIKU

Daruma ki ya chinpunkan o naku chidori

on Dharma's Death Day
spouting gibberish...
a plover
—Issa

[translation by David Lanoue]
http://www.poetrylives.com/SimplyHaiku/SHv3n2/haiga_Traditional/Daruma/

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nesting area ...
new piping plover eggs
more or less spotted

Haiku and Photo © by Carol Raisfeld
http://home.alc.co.jp/db/owa/ph_diary?stage=show&diary_sn_in=394



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Related words

***** The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a medium-sized plover.

The adults have a brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with two black bands. The rump is tawny orange. The face and cap are brown with a white forehead. The eyering orange-red. The chicks are patterned almost identically to the adults, and are precocial — able to move around immediately after hatching. The Killdeer frequently uses a "broken wing act" to distract predators from the nest.
It is named onomatopoeically after its call.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


graveyarduskilldeer

George Swede

Here three words are spelled together not only to produce the richly resonant "double-haiku," graveyard/ dusk/ killdeer// graveyard/ us/ killdeer, but strikingly to suggest the enclosure (like letters by a word) of two or more people (a couple--or, perhaps, all of us) by an evening -- or some greater darkening.
source : grist/l&d/grumman


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. WKD . BIRD SAIJIKI


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Pilgrimage (henro)

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Pilgrimage in Shikoku (henro)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Spring
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

ZEN is well known in the West, but other forms of Japanese Buddhism are not.

To make the great pilgrimage around the island of Shikoku is not only reserved for believers of the Esoteric sects, but done by many people for many reasons, after retirement, after loosing a loved one or just for finding oneself as a youngster.

Many henro pilgrims carry a small haiku book and produce many beautiful haiku, some featured in the internet these days and some hidden in the pockets of the white robe, only shown to each other when meeting on the way.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage, henro 遍路, comprises many kigo for spring.
The cool climate of spring is the best time to walk the pilgims road in Shikoku.
But there are of course pilgrims all year round.

Pilgrm's Staff, the alter-ego of Kobo Daishi, henrotsue 遍路杖
Pilgrim's Hat, henrogasa, henro kasa, 遍路笠

the way a pilgrim walks, henromichi 遍路道


. Shikoku Henro 四国遍路 Pilgrimage to 88 Temples .
- Introduction -


. Stepping on the sacred sand of Shikoku
(sunafumi お砂踏み)


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Pilgrimages since the Meiji Period (1868-1912 AD) have basically preserved the patterns that emerged during the Edo Era. Nonetheless, most will admit that modern-day Japanese pilgrimages are incredibly commercialized. Many Japanese localities and prefectures, hoping to attract religious tourists, have copied the traditional pilgrimage patterns to establish their own modern circuits for the 33 Kannon and 88 Holy Sites in Shikoku. Today pilgrims travel in luxury by coach, minibus or taxi in prearranged tours. Nearly all modern pilgrims purchase the amulets, hats, satchels, staffs, bells, and other religious paraphernalia that are sold in abundance by temples, shrines, prefectural bodies, cities, and travel agencies. In many ways the modern pilgrimage in Japan is a thinly veiled disguise for tourism, stripped in large part of religious meaning.

And let us not forget. Since the Edo Period, Shinto and Buddhist practices among the common folk have been aimed primarily at this-worldly benefits (genze riyaku, concrete rewards now). To many Japanese, Shinto and Buddhist faith is primarily involved with petitions and prayers for business profits, the safety of the household, success on school entrance exams, painless child birth, and other concrete rewards now, in this life. This type of popular worship -- one focused on "this-worldly" rewards -- can easily fall prey to commercialism.

Learn more about Pilgrims stamps books and all the equipment
a pilgrim needs on the road.

RESOURCE GUIDE TO
JAPANESE PILGRIMS & PILGRIMAGES
also about

junrei　巡礼　pilgrimage to other temples
junrei 順礼 kanji used by Issa


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Pilgrims at temple Nr. 55, Nankoo-Boo in Imabari, Shikoku.


Life is a pilgrimage!
A poster to promote the Shikoku Pilgrimage.


© Photo Gabi Greve

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giving alms to henro pilgrims,
o-settai, settai 摂待
. Kado-cha 門茶 "tea at the gate" .
giving tea as alms at the temple gate
kigo for early autumn

As the poor pilgrims walk along, they are supported by the local population, who see them as Kobo Daishi himself. They get a lot of food offerings, but also robes or money. Once I got a cotton towel to wipe the sweat. Even a ride in a car can be o-settai.
Some villages have established a small stall with tables and seats at the village entrance, where the housewifes take turn in praparing tea and sweets for the tired pilgrims.
Other households provide free beds for one night, together with a small meal in the monring, some for many generations. They have become friends with the regular pilgrims, who take the tour many times in their lives.

At one place in front of a temple, an old woman was handing out mikan oranges, greeting each pilgrim with a smile, saying "Welcome to this temple, dear Kobo Daishi san!". For her, we were all the same re-incarnations of Kukai.

O-Settai is a way for the local people to "collect good points" to improve their karma in the next re-incarnation.

If you receive a gift of this kind, you have to hand over one of your pilgrim's prayer slips.



settai in form of a shoulder massage


- the beginning of settai -
. Emon Saburō 衛門三郎 Emon Saburo .

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Shikoku Fudo Pilgrims to 36 temples
四国三十六不動尊霊場


My Pilgrims Guide
... group/Darumasan-Japan/message/424
... group/Darumasan-Japan/message/425
...group/Darumasan-Japan/426



Learn more about Pilgrims stamps books and all the equipment a pilgrim needs on the road.

... www.onmarkproductions.com/
Mark Schumacher


A pilgrimage to a Shinto shrine is called: Mairi
　Three famous Shinto Pilgrimages


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Worldwide use


WKD : Earth Pilgrims アースピルグリム　。　地球巡礼者　
Echan Deravy エハン・デラヴィ 　


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pilgrim
fascinated by a distance
of spaces

- Shared by Gennady Nov -
Haiku Culture Magazine, 2013



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Croatia

Marija Bistrica: the Black Madonna with Child,
Our Lady of Bistrica, Queen of Croatia

The little town Marija Bistrica (literally Mary Bistrica) lies on the slopes of Mount Medvednica, about 15 km North-West of Zagreb. 16th century, about 5 ft., wood.
source : www.interfaithmary.ne


a pilgrimage -
new faces and new flowers
along the way

- Shared by Tomislav Maretic -
Haiku Culture Magazine , 2013


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THE HAJ: PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA

One of a Muslim's duties, as described in the Five Pillars of Islam, is to go on Hajj at least once during his or her lifetime. This is a pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca, Mekka) in Saudi Arabia. Approximately two million Muslims went in 1999, of which about one million were from Saudi Arabia, and 6,000 were from the U.S. Council on American-Islamic Relations estimated in 2006 that "some 10,000 American Muslims go on Hajj each year."
source : 　www.religioustolerance.org


her pilgrimage bag -
for the eleventh night
a pink neglige

Heike Gewi Yemen, July 2008
Kigo Hotline


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Joys of Japan, 2012

Mina and Arafah
pilgrimage exodus
heart and soul

- Shared by Mokhtar Sah Malik -

The towns of Mina and Arafah
source : www.hajtips.com/




haj -
with all my sins
I come to You

- Shared by Asni Amin -


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INDIA

kamakhya on nilachal~
pilgrims trekking together
to mother's womb

This was written during a visit to Kamakhya Temple near Guwahati in Assam (North East India) recently. It is on a mountain named Nilachal (meaning Blue Mountain). The deity ie. Goddess Kamakhya is worshipped here in the 'yoni' form. It is a great Shakti peeth and a seat of Tantric cult of Hinduism.

Sunil Uniyal, India, August 2008
Kigo Hotline


More Reference about the Temple



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Things found on the way


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HAIKU


道の辺に阿波のへんろの墓あはれ
michinobe ni Awa no henro no haka aware

at the roadside
"The Grave of the Pilgrim from Awa" -
how touching

Takahama Kyoshi 高浜虚子
(written in 1935)

This grave is near Matsuyama at the temple hall Daishido 太子堂. On the memorial stone it says 阿波の遍路の墓 and Kyoshi only added the first and last part to this.
There are two stone steles to memorize this grave, slightly slanted, in the temple compound.



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graves of the unknown -
pilgrims faces faded
into stone



Henro Pilgrims .. 遍路と無縁仏


Read some more of my Henro Haiku.
Shikoku Summer 2005

Gabi Greve

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竹林　上り下りの　遍路道
takebayashi nobori kudari no henromichi

bamboo grove -
the pilgrim's path leads
up and down

Gabi Greve, Shiraishi Pilgrimage, June 2006

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Early in his career, Santoka (1882-1940) was a henro.

autumn wind for all my walking . . . for all my walking . . .

"Where is the Way?" he was once asked.
"Under your feet," he replied.

Read a long article about pilgrims by Michael Hoffman .

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暑さにも負けず遍路の道長き
atsusa ni mo makezu henro no michi nagaki


not even yielding
to the great heat ...
pilgrim on the road

Gabi Greve, July 2008, Fudo Pilgrimage Yamaguchi


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Related words

Pilgrimage to Shinto Shrines
***** Pilgrimage to Kyoto (Kyoo mairi 京参り )
Ise Shrine Pilgrimage, O-Ise-Mairi, Ise Mairi 伊勢参り
O-kage mairi お陰参り　（おかげまいり）
Konpira Shrine Pilgrimage, Konpira Mairi 琴平参り



***** Grave (haka)

***** SAIJIKI of Japanese Ceremonies and Festivals


***** Henro Pilgrims Culture and Haiku

***** . Gankake 願掛け wish-prayer, to make a wish .


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