In Praise of Shadows " Japanese traditional aesthetics and culture "

 

There are shadows to the same extent as light. Humans may only see the light side.

Japanese culture and traditions have valued shadows.

But it can be hard to feel.

Maybe you know little of the shadow side. It can't be helped. 

　The beauty of the contrast has been adopted for interior decoration.

　The constant change gives deep interest for a one-day flow.

　Reflection. Fusion. Mixture.

　Clay wall, Wooden floor, and Wooden pillar.

　Long time and space melts in them.

　Transmission. Convergence. Dimness.

　Hope to be prolonged from darkness, ... returned in the shadow again.

　At the same time, limited life time.

　The contradiction will continue like ripples...

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　In Praise of Shadows " 陰翳礼讃 : In'ei Raisan "

　It is an essay on Japanese aesthetics by the Japanese author and novelist Jun'ichirō Tanizaki.

　

The video below is a documentary about " In Praise of Shadows ". 

Produced by Japan's national broadcaster (NHK). 

Worth watching if you want to understand the spirit of Japanese culture.

Sublime beauties and works of art will appear.

Copyright prevents me from displaying it here. Please pardon.

" Festival " Japanese calligraphy

 

　　"祭" (sai, matsuri). It is translated as sacrifice to, ceremonial, festival, etc.

　　This character is written by Kanzi, Semi-cursive script.

　　Etymology :　Ideogrammic compound

　　⺼ (meat) 　+　 手 (hand)　 +　 示 (ceremony)

　　The sound of these words is good for Japanese summer season.

　　Cheer is remembered by itself.

Kyoto Gion Festival, Welcome lanterns, 

Mikoshi washing ceremony ( July 10, 2023 )

 Japan's three major festivals, 

Kyoto dance entertainment dedication, 

Yasaka Shrine → Shijo Street → Kawaramachi

Before the departure of the Yamaboko Junko of the Gion Matsuri ( 2023.7.17 )

Miyabikai Misendo Yasaka Shrine Maiko and Geisha

Kuze Komagata Chigo "Ceremony of Shrine Attendance"

Festival departure

Night view of festival

Traditional summer festivals are held all over the country.

" ZEN " Japanese calligraphy

 

　　　　"禪" (zen). It is translated in ZEN.

" Last Samurai " existed, Kaishū Katsu

勝 海舟 :　Kaishū Katsu  ( 1823 - 1899 )

The vassal and scholar of the Edo Shogunate,  politician after the Meiji Restoration.

Every Japanese knows his name, even now.

　　　He was the master of Japanese sword ( katana ) , had getted the full mastership (Menkyo Kaiden).

　　　However, he seems to have never cut down the person throughout his life, 

despite always encountering the danger of assassination.

He was too strong, excellent, and sublime that the enemy was overwhelmed and unable to even move forward.

If pointed the katana at Katsu, the moment the man will definitely fall to the ground with the katana.

 All knew it would happen.

His sword sealed not to bring down any person.

There was no need to remove it.

　　　The true samurai had tough spiritual strength, and divine power.

The samurai era ended with him.

Japanese sword ( Katana )

You can see how fast the master's "drawing sword" is in this video. 

In the olden days, if a samurai drew his sword, the enemy would fall at that moment.

It is very difficult to stand up to the masters. The man can't even get a hold of it. 

Watch this video to see how great samurai didn't need swords. 

The samurai of the Edo period were far superior to the modern masters.

" Samurai " Japanese calligraphy, Semi-cursive script.

　　　

　　　" 侍 " ( samurai ) It is translated as samurai .　Semi-cursive script

composition　人 ( man ) + 寺 ( temple )

　　　What is " Bushido "　?　( samurai spirit )
The knowledge is written in　" Hagakure ".

　　　

Hagakure says that " Bushido is to die " in the beginning.

　　　But It is do not merely die, and it is to live in a way to one's aim thoroughly.

　　　When it is " Bushido " to live in every day with strong-willed will like it.

　　　It is written ironically.

　　　

　　　The great samurai, Ōta Dōkan created the phrase of the death poem.

　　　　　かかる時　さこそ命の惜しからめ　　かねてなき身と　思い知らずば

　　　　　　　太田道灌　（1432 - 1486）

　　　　　When such a situation, I don't feel sorry my life.

　　　　　　Because I already recognized there wasn't my life anymore, 

and I have lived believing for a long time.

　　　　　　　Ōta Dōkan　（1432 - 1486）

　　　He was the too superior samurai.

　　　Therefore his lord assassinated him.

　　　The great samurai dedicated the life of his own to fate.

　　　The soul is holy.

　　　Yes, it may be surely cruel.

　　　However, the ancestor succeeded to the Japanese spirit ( Yamato-damashii ) as beauty.

　　　We descendant will never forget it.