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Articles Tagged ‘Japanese History’

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Plum Blossoms, Green Tea, and Pretty Geisha – Ume Matsuri in Kyoto

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

To celebrate plum blossoms and Tenjin-sama, the god of learning, a festival is held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto where geisha serve visitors matcha green tea.

Since it was my birthday I thought I would have tea with those geisha as one does.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is a beautiful shrine especially during Plum Blossom season and when the geisha come but it hides a dark past of political manipulation, fear, guilt, and the need for appeasement of a vengeful spirit.

Zen Priest Playing Shakuhachi Flute

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

Zen Priest Playing Shakuhachi

Chance Encounter with Zen Priest


Komuso were Zen Buddhist Priests who used to travel about playing the Shakuhachi (Japanese Flute) for meditation and alms. Komuso means “Priest of Nothingness.”

I encountered this Komuso while I was in Nagoya. Komuso ceased to exist from the late 19th Century onwards.

The titles are bits of Zen sayings from samurai and Zen Masters. The subtitles tell the tale of the Komuso and their ultimate fate.

It’s up for votes on Current TV. Register and hit the green “I like it” button:
Zen Priest Playing Shakuhachi Current TV Submission
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Current TV

I also made it into a promo for Current TV:


It’s up for possible airing here:
Stop and Listen – Current TV Submission