Mizuhiki – Adorning Life
Mizuhiki is an ancient Japanese art of knot-tying. This intricate craft has evolved over the centuries and is now cherished in modern Japan as both a holiday gift and a decorative element.
Torii, the Gate to the Sacred Land
You have probably already seen this monument/building somewhere. If you browse the Emojis (⛩️), you will find one miniaturised. It is called “Torii” or “Otorii”, meaning the Great Gate and it is usually found at the entrances of Japanese Shinto Shrines. It is believed that when you cross it, you are stepping on the Sacred Land. With origins dating back to the 6th century BCE, Shintō is Japan’s indigenous religion. Together with Buddhism, Shinto is today practised by nearly 80% of the population. The basic principle of Shintō is that Gods (Kami), humankind and all elements of nature were begotten by the same parents, therefore they are the same kin and have spirits in various degrees of vitality and strength.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto Shrine Otorii, located in Kamakura. The shrine was founded in the Eleventh Century by Yoritomo Minamoto, the first Shogun of the country, who chose Kamakura as his stronghold. Hence, in the traditional Japanese calendar, this period (1182 to 1333) became known as the Kamakura Period. The thick rope festooning the otorii is called "Shimenawa". Shimenawa is a rope made of rice straw, which is hung in sacred monuments or even people. You see them often decorating the belt of a Yokozuna sumo wrestler!
Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794 and worships mainly Inari, the deity of rice.
Meoto Iwa, the Wedded Rocks
These rocks represent the Deities Izanagi and Izanami, who, according to the legend Created the country (archipelago) of Japan and gave birth to its people. If you pay close attention, the male rock on the left carries on its summit a small torii. It is bonded by a shimenawa to the female rock on the right. The Shinto religion has its origins centered in the beautiful love story of Izanagi and Izanami, but sadly it ends in tragedy!
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