Welcome to JapAnima, the soul/spirit of Japan!
What is Japanese Animism?
Animism came from the Latin word, anima, meaning breath, life and spirit. Animism refers to the belief or religion that all the things in the Nature carry spirits. They believed that there are a number of spirits in the universe, and they believed that these spirits dominate the world of life. The etymology of the word, animation, can be traced in the act of a god that gives life to an object.In Japanese, god is called “kami,” and this is based on the Japanese animism and it‟s a number of gods that were created naturally. Shinto is characterized by polytheism, animism, and involves the worship of kami (神 ), or spirits. Most kami are local and can be regarded as the spiritual being/spirit or genius of a particular place, but some hold a more universal roles.Shinto shows that everything has a kami (神 "spiritual essence", commonly translated as god or spirit). Every rock, every squirrel, every living and nonliving thing contains a kami. There is also a main kami for groups of things: for example, there is a kami within a rhinoceros, and there is also a main kami residing over all the rhinos of the world.
Four Affirmations of Shinto Spirit:
-Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. The main Shinto celebrations relate to birth and marriage, which maintain the family unit.
-Respect of nature: Nature is considered sacred as it is imbued with spirits known as kami; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the kami. Natural objects are worshipped as containing these kami.
-Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouths often.
-"Matsuri": Any festival dedicated to the Kami, of which there are many each year.
JAPAN NEWS:
Female Robot Makes Debut On Japan Catwalk for Fashion Show
A female black- haired robot that walks, talks, and smiles who weighs 95 pounds is about to make her debut at a catwalk for a fashion show in Japan. However, the safety standards required for the robot to walk down the catwalk along with human models. HRP-4C was designed to look like an average Japanese woman, although its silver-and-black body recalls a space suit. It will appear in a Tokyo fashion show without any clothes in a special section just for the robot next week.
Tokyo St.Patrick's Day Parade
On Sunday, March 15, Omotesando-dori will be transformed into a bustling Celtic cultural fiesta. This fun-filled international parade offers a unique opportunity for all to enjoy the delights of Irish music and dancing, Celtic art and design, colorful paraders from throughout Japan and a even a chance to sample a free glass of Guinness or Baileys two of Ireland's finest liquid exports.The Japanese and citizens of the world are coming together to celebrate a day that is no longer exclusively of the Irish. Japanese Irish dancers will step to the tune of fiddles and tin whistles, while St Patrick himself will lead the van of bagpipe bands, marching bands, the finest of the U.S. military's musicians, university cheerleading teams, international schools and for animal lovers. Irish setters and Irish wolfhounds joining in to enjoy the limelight. Volunteers from around the world will also be seen carrying balloons and banners in this prestigious parade.
Link-http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/tokyo’s-st-patrick's-day-parade--it's-a-long-way-from-tipperary
ANIME NEWS:
Event- Sakura Con-2009
Date: April 10-12th
Place: Seattle, WA
Sakura Con will bethe largest anime convention in the pacific northwest.
It will be holding a variety of contests including Anime Music Video, Cosplay, Designing Mascot, Karaoke, and Sakura Chibi. There will also be three dances: A Masquerade Ball, A Fuzzy- Fuzz Ball, and Starship Sakura.
How about some good places to check out Japanese culture in NY?
ReplyDeleteGot any advice on anime for comic readers? I'm a traditionalist when it comes to comics, and most anime graphic novels are either too anime, or have tons of background info that I don't have room in my brain to learn. I have over 700 issues of X-men lore in my head.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post... Very informative.
ReplyDeletei agree with justine..it'd be cool to see some places around here illustrating some japanese culture like some of the things you talk about
ReplyDeleteI like the concept of your blog, there are so many interesting and weird things that come from Japan. Putting the links is good too, so we can get more information. That robot thing is really bizzare, talk about Japan being advanced!
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting, but I think it would be nice to add a picture and/or video for each news story.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go to Tokyo, and the things you mentioned in this post just makes me wanna go even more. I heard about that female robot they're debuting, really interested in seeing that.
ReplyDeleteVery thorough and very informative. Are those your real middle names?
ReplyDeleteI love your name so you sound like you're meant to be a writer. Anyone with a name like that should (smile). I had no idea they celebrated Saint Patrick's day in Tokyo. Very informative. I will look into it.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a model robot. Most models are robots anyway right? Just kidding (not really) This was very intersting. What will they think up next?
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