January 2023

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[About the Divinity of Rabbits]

Rabbits generally give people the impression that they are good and cute and cuddly. In addition, rabbits are considered to be partly divine in Japan. When counting rabbits in Japanese, they are counted in the same way as birds flying in the sky, unlike the way they are called for counting cats and dogs. In the past, when meat eating was prohibited, rabbits were classified as a type of bird so that they would not be punished for eating its meat.

In Buddhist legends, rabbits live in the moon and are regarded as messengers of the moon god. In real life, many rabbits live in the mountains, so they are also regarded as messengers of the mountain gods. In Japanese folk beliefs, the mountain god takes on the form of a god of childbirth and goes to a private maternity home to help a woman in labor, so the rabbit is also seen as having the divine nature of a god of childbirth. Since the duties of the mountain god and the field god are similar, the rabbit is also considered to be a god of agriculture who can bring in a good harvest.

There are also shrines related to rabbits in Kyoto, and one of them is Higashitenno Okazaki Shrine located near Heian Jingu Shrine, which is also called Bunny Shrine. The shrine has a large number of rabbit statues within its boundaries, which are perfect for worshipping in the Year of the Rabbit. As mentioned above, in Japan, the rabbit carries the divine nature of a god of childbirth and symbolizes prolificness. Therefore, Higashitenou Okazaki Shrine is also a shrine for praying for marriage, pregnancy, and safe delivery.

In addition, Uji Shrine, located near Uji on the Keihan Train, is also associated with rabbits. Here, the rabbit is also considered to be a messenger of the gods. Legend has it that when the Emperor's son, Ujino Wakiiratsukono Mikoto, was on his way from Kawachi to Uji, he got lost. At that time, a rabbit appeared and guided him back to his home in Uji. The rabbit enshrined in the shrine is also called a "rabbit looking back." If you have doubts about the direction you are currently working on, you can visit Uji Shrine and get some inspiration.

Okazaki Shrine
https://goo.gl/maps/bipc8qSN9yY6xR7L9
Uji Shrine
https://goo.gl/maps/WWN64LxthgkWufGk7
Sanjo Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/sanjo.html

References
https://www.jalan.net/news/article/327250/
https://tabizine.jp/2018/10/04/208282/
Akata Mitsuo (1996) "ウサギの神性について"「帝塚山短期大学紀要」 33, 14-27

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[What Is the Most Auspicious Drink for New Year's in Japan?]

What is the drink that is always drunk at New Year's in Japan? There are "otsoso," "fuku-cha," and "amazake."

The New Year's drink, "otsoso," is an auspicious custom to drink to ward off the year's evil spirits and wish for longevity, and was introduced throughout Japan during the Edo period (1603-1867), especially in the Kansai region. In the Kanto and Tohoku regions, sake is often drunk under the name of "otoso." It is made by soaking "tososan," a Chinese herbal medicine combining several kinds of medicinal herbs, in sake or mirin (sweet cooking sake). It is said that "to" means to drive away evil spirits and "so" means to awaken and revive the body and mind. It is a combination of five herbal medicines (sansho, baijiu, fengfu, bellflower, and cinnabar) that are effective in warming the body, aiding gastrointestinal function, and preventing colds, making it an ideal drink for the New Year when people tend to overeat and drink.

Do you know about another type of tea called "fuku-cha," which is an old tradition in Kyoto and the Kansai region and is drunk on New Year's Eve, Setsubun, New Year's Eve, etc.? The tea drunk at New Year's is called "Daifuku-cha. To make daifuku-cha, "wakamizu," the first water drawn on the morning of New Year's Day, is boiled and poured over ingredients such as black soybeans, kelp, pickled plums, and sansho, along with sencha green tea and hot water. It is drunk on New Year's Day to ward off evil spirits for the year.

"Amazake," which is served or sold at New Year's holidays, is said to have originated from "Ama-no-Tamusake," a drink offered to the gods in the "Chronicles of Japan," dating back to the Kofun period (710-794). Amazake seems to have a close relationship with shrines, as it is said to have been offered to the gods during the "Niinamesai," a festival to celebrate and give thanks for the harvest. Amazake contains vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, folic acid, dietary fiber, oligosaccharides, amino acids, and a large amount of glucose, which is almost the same content as an intravenous drip as a nutritional supplement. In the Edo period, amazake was drunk hot with ginger even in summer. Glucose is a nutrient that provides energy for the brain, so it is effective to take it with breakfast before activity. In addition to koji (malted rice), amazake can also be made with sake lees or mirin lees and is recommended to be mixed with soy milk or milk to make it richer and easier to drink. Almond milk or oats milk, which is common these days, would also go well with it.

Please enjoy the season of the beginning of a new year with this auspicious drink and stay healthy.

Appi Urushi Studio's Katakuchi
https://www.shokunin.com/en/appi/katakuchi.html
Nousaku's FUJIYAMA
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nousaku/shuki.html
Susumuya's Teacup
https://www.shokunin.com/en/susumuya/yunomi.html

References
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/屠蘇
https://www.takeda.co.jp/kyoto/area/plantno200.html
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/福茶
https://www.jinjahoncho.or.jp/omairi/gyouji/amazake

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[Beppu: A Tour of Hell]

There are several hells that can be reached in less than two hours by car from Fukuoka, where our Wakamatsu Showroom is located. There are seven hells in Beppu, Oita Prefecture: Umi Jigoku, Onishibozu Jigoku, Kamado Jigoku, Oniyama Jigoku, Shiraike Jigoku, Chinoike Jigoku, and Tatsumaki Jigoku. In Beppu, Oita Prefecture, a city of hot springs, visitors can tour seven hells.

The area around Kannawa and Kameyama, where the hells are located, has been described in the "Bungonokuni Fudoki" as a place where fumaroles, hot mud, and boiling water have been gushing out at a tremendous rate for more than 1,000 years.

The hell I had not seen since my first school excursion in elementary school was not at all like hell for me. It may be an exaggeration, but I could surely feel that I am living as a human being on this land.

Personally, I flinched a little at the crocodiles in Oniyama Jigoku and the drinking hot springs in Kamado Jigoku, but the steamed small baskets and steamed buns were hot, and my little worries seemed to disappear with the steam wafting all around.

If you have a chance, why not try the "Beppu Hell Tour"?

Wakamatsu Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/wakamatsu.html

Reference
http://www.beppu-jigoku.com/