Incense Sticks Japanese

Incense Sticks Japanese

Exploring Tokyo's Sensoji Temple

The spiritual heart of Asakusa, and for that matter Tokyo, is the impressive Sensoji Buddhist Temple. Built sometime in the 7th century before Tokyo was even Edo, to house the golden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, which, according to legend was fished out of the nearby Simudagawa, by two local fisherman brothers. Despite their efforts to return Kannon to the river where she was found, the statue kept finding its way back to them. Subsequently a temple was built to house the goddess. Sensoji is Tokyo's only agreed tourist attraction, and is visited daily by hundreds of tourists and worshipers from Japan and all over the world.

Arriving from Asakusa subway station, Sensoji is entered through Kiminarimon ("Thunder Gate"). A majestic structure that houses two protective deities: Fuijin, the god of wind, on the right, and Raijin, the god of thunder, on the left. These ferocious gods oversee all who enter the temple and keep the grounds safe.

Once inside the gate, you will come to Nakamise-dori. This shopping street, set within the actual temple precinct, has a history all of its own. These stalls and their proprietors are a living part of a centuries old tradition of selling wares to the pilgrims visiting the temple.

In the late 17th century, neighbors of the Sensoji who received and served visitors to the temple, were rewarded by being given a special right to open shops to sell their wares along the approach to the temple.

This continued until 1885, when the Tokyo metropolitan government, having taken control of the land belonging to Sensoji, ordered all Nakamise merchants to leave and in the same year built western style brick shops, leading to the beginning of modern Nakamese.

Today you can find everything from tourist trinkets, such as folding fans, to traditional Japanese clothing including kimonos and yukata, to local snack foods. Stretching out for some 200 meters, Nakamise-dori is the perfect place to while away an hour and pick up a souvenir or two before entering the main ground of the temple.

The main ground itself buzzes with accents from all over the world and the click of cameras. Travelers and locals mix on the temple grounds, uniting in their mission to pay their respects. 100 yen will buy you an omikuji (fortune written on a small piece of paper). You place the money in an honor box and shake a small cylinder containing sticks with numbers written on them. Shake the cylinder until one of the sticks falls out and pull your fortune from a drawer with the corresponding number. If your fortune is bad, tie the paper onto a nearby string so that the wind can disperse the bad luck.

Center stage in the temple forecourt is an incense burner. Here you will usually see a group of visitors fanning smoke from the burning incense over themselves. The incense is believed to have healing powers, and so fanning the smoke over your ailment will help to heal it. If you suffer from headache, fan some of the smoke over your head.

The main temple hall still houses the golden statue of Kannon, a diminutive 6cm tall, and is viewable by the public. Step forward to cast some coins in the offer box, which sits in front of the alter, take a step back, place your hands together, prey and then bow. This is the standard practice of preying at a Buddhist temple.

To the left of the forecourt and forming part of the temple, is the 5 story (53 meter) pagoda. A 1973 reconstruction of the original pagoda built on the same ground. This is the largest pagoda in Tokyo.

Destroyed by earthquakes and World War Two aerial bombings, Sensoji Temple has been rebuilt and reconstructed time and time again. Testament to the significance it holds within the Buddhist community and the general public. A remembrance of centuries old values and traditions that carry on today within Tokyo's chaotic lifestyle, Sensoji is a steadying reminder that despite warring nations and new technology, some things will always remain.

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Why do people light incense sticks at Japanese temples?

Im just curious and cant seem to find it on the net

Shinto is an ancient pantheistic religion where each local area has its own kami or god....and this religion is no longer practiced in it pure form, but has adopted many Buddhist practices into it.

Kami usually accepted gifts of wine and rice. Simple prayers were written onto bits of paper and handed out or used to invoke the kami's help, and these bits of paper were then burned.

Asakusa Buddhist Temple Giant Incense Burner

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Auroshikha Incense Fragrance Sampler, 18 sticks $4.25 Here is a collection of Nature's timeless fragrances. This sample pack of incenses rolled by hand on thin bamboo sticks provides an introduction to a wide range of delightfully natural aromas.The freshness of Auroshikha fragrances provide a gentle and uplifting sense of well being. They represent an incense tradition thousands of years old that remains alive still today in India, a sort of original aromatherapy that acknowledges the uplifting effect of aromatic ingredients on the psyche. These 18 sample fragrances - each also available in standard-size sticks - provide a wide range of incense experiences, from woods to resins to flower combinations that are all light and inspiring. Whether you choose the sweet purity of Jasmine, the expressive heartfelt tenderness of Rose, the woody richness of Sandal, or the beloved freshness of Lavender, you will find your spirits uplifted and soothed.

Fairy Moon Incense Holder $15.37 A sweetfaced fairy relaxes inside the curving crescent moon enjoying the soothing scent of your favorite fragranced incense. An enchanting decoration Polyresin. Incense sticks not included. 11 1/4 x 3 x 4 7/8 high.

Slate Dragon Incense Burner $24.21 Drifting incense smoke curls around the wings of a crouching medieval dragon creating a startlingly realistic miniature storybook scene. This richly detailed sculptural incense burner brings the wildest fantasy fiction to life. Weight 0.8 lb. Resin. Incense sticks not included. 3 1/2 x 4 x 12 1/2 high.

Ruby Dragon Incense Holder $22.98 Scented incense smoke creates a mesmerizing display as it drifts above a stunningly lifelike dragon s head. A magnificent holder for your favorite fragrance sticks Polyresin. Incense sticks not included. 9 1/2 x 4 x 3 3/4 high.

ZEN SCENTS INCENSE $47.46 Artfully designed tin cylinders hold 40 sticks of assorted aromatic Zen incense scents. 13/4 diameter x 61/2 H. A pack of 12.

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LIFE STYLE INCENSE DISPLAY $54.29 Enhance any surrounding with the exotic fragrance of incense. Each box contains 30 incense sticks and a ceramic burner. Five intriguing scents include Lavender Lemon Ocean Rose and Sandalwood. Each box is 1 5/8 x 5/8 x 3 3/8 high.

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The Book of Incense (Paperback) $9.86 Incense has a long history in Japan. At the ancient court, men and women alike scented their kimono, their rooms, and even their writing paper with signature blends of incense that admirers were sure to mention later in their love poems. Even today, Japanese incense is highly regarded for its subtlety and beauty. The Book of Incense is the first book available in English that focuses on the incense traditions of Japan including different ingredients, mixing blends and sampling various mixtures, traditional literary games involving incense Koh-do, the incense ceremony still performed today. With the current popularity of aromatherapy and other uses of scent for relaxation and pleasure, this new trade paperback edition of The Book of Incense comes at a most opportune time. It is must reading for anyone who wants to gain a new awareness of the importance of scent, and learn how to make optimal use of the sense of smell in our everyday lives.

Set of 3 Incense Sticks 'Wood Fragrances' Gift Boxes (Thailand) $52.99 This handmade creation is offered in partnership with NOVICA, in association with National Geographic.Sirinart Bongkotmas prepares three sets of incense gift boxes, each featuring three packs of 18 sticks and a ceramic holder. She crafts the incense by hand with bamboo and wood shavings in three enticing aromas: lavender, floral aqua, and floral musk.Product Features:Total number of gift boxes: ThreeTotal number of incense sticks per box: 54Incense sticks per aroma: 18Materials: Wood shavings, bamboo, scents and ceramicScents: Lavender, floral aqua, and floral muskIncense stick dimensions: 5.9 inches longDish dimensions: 0.6 inch high x 3.9 inches diameterGift box dimensions: 1.2 inches high x 10.6 inches wide x 5.5 inches deepStory Behind the Art:Sirinart Bongkotmas and her sisters craft souvenir products by hand at home. 'We make scented candles and incense sticks. It is satisfying to adapt materials, such as the ceramics and clay that I use with the scented incense sticks. I like presenting scented incense in packages that enhance my unique handicrafts.'What is Worldstock?The handcrafted touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen.ImportedPlease allow 10 business days for the product to leave our warehouse and to receive tracking information. You should expect to receive this item within 15 business days.