Fear Club: The Masquerade. Extras. The City, the People, the Magic.
Asakusa Sensoji, a Buddhist Temple honoring Kannon, the God of Mercy in Tokyo, Japan. (Although Kannon is often referred to in English as the 'Goddess of Mercy', the 'she' is actually a 'he'.
Tokyo
 The main hall at Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine near the fashionable Harajuku shopping area in Tokyo.
Midway through the book, Lexie goes with Julian to Meiji Shrine, one of the most popular Shinto shrines in Japan. Julian is hoping to make contact with one of the Kami, a Shinto-god/spirit, and trade for information. Late that night, two Kami brothers -- Hiro and Taka -- appear. Both are immediately intrigued by Lexie's aura. They instantly realize she is not like other humans. Their comments confuse Lexie but they refuse to tell her more. Later, when Lexie is hospitalized Taka comes to cheer her up and at the end of the book, Hiro appears to her in a dream with vital information for her future.
|
O-Mikosan, Shinto Shrine Maidens at Meiji Shrine. Lexie sees a girl clinging high up on the Torii gate as she enters the shrine. To her surprise the girl has the face of a fox. Julian tells her she is a Fox Spirit.
A girl dressed as a Kitsune Fox Spirit serving the Inari Shrines.
|
The Shinto religion
Shintoism is indigenous to Japan. It is a religion based on 'animism' and believes that everything has a spirit. Which I think is such a wonderful way to live. That spirit can manifest in trees, mountains, rocks, and even objects like dolls or sewing needles. Kami are the gods/spirits of Shinto and people pray to them for luck, happiness or to avert illness and misfortune. There are literally thousands. They can be native to a particular mountain, valley, shrine, spring, the sea, or a lake. They are usually drawn as humans but some can have a more animal-like form. The Karasu Tegu are crow spirits of the mountain with beaks and wings.
Japanese believe that humans give part of their spirit to objects they use or love and as such, those objects deserve to be respected. Hence such blessing ceremonies as for sewing needles observed by dressmakers and designers. When a beloved doll is no longer wanted, there are even burning ceremonies at special shrines to release that doll's spirit and give thanks for its service.
There are Buddhist temples -- following the teachings of Buddhas and his Bodhisattvas --and Shinto Shrines all over Japan. Sometimes sharing the same land! Japan lives comfortably with a mix of both Buddhism and Shinto religious beliefs.
Japanese believe that humans give part of their spirit to objects they use or love and as such, those objects deserve to be respected. Hence such blessing ceremonies as for sewing needles observed by dressmakers and designers. When a beloved doll is no longer wanted, there are even burning ceremonies at special shrines to release that doll's spirit and give thanks for its service.
There are Buddhist temples -- following the teachings of Buddhas and his Bodhisattvas --and Shinto Shrines all over Japan. Sometimes sharing the same land! Japan lives comfortably with a mix of both Buddhism and Shinto religious beliefs.
Checking their fortunes at a Buddhist Temple. This couple is dressed in the summer version of the kimono, the Yukata. It is made of cool cotton. Men traditionally wear the sash tied low on their hips.
|
Cruncky chocolate bar. The Shinto Kami spirit Taka introduces Lexie to the delicious healing power of Crunky bars when she is recovering from her anemia attack in the hospital. It says 'Saku Saku SuSuMu" on the front, which means it is 'full of crunch!' I love Crunky bars, the crunch is from crispy rices in the chocolate.
Under Construction. More coming soon! |