In the traditional Japanese calendar June 21st-26th is 'Natsukarekusa karuru' (乃東枯), 'Self-heal withers'. This is part of the June 21st-July 6th micro season known simply as 'Geshi' (夏至 'Summer Solstice').
Self-heal, known as 'utsubokusa' (ウツボグサ) in Japanese, is an amazing little plant, both eaten and used for medicinal purposes (especially to treat sore throats). Anti-inflammatory in nature, the Chinese believed the plant was able to "change the course of a chronic disease".
Self-heal also goes by the name woundwort & heart-of-the-earth.
🌿The plant leaves/stems are said to be antibacterial, diuretic, astringent, hypotensive, and a powerful antioxidant.
🌿The flower spikes are believed to restore liver damage.
🌿The herb also aids the gall bladder.
now it is the time
for clean handkerchiefs ...
light heat of summer
はんけちのたしなみきよき薄暑かな
-Kubota Mantarō (久保田 万太郎 1889-1963).
🦁DANCING IN THE LION'S MOUTH👯
For today's post I've wandered outside Kyōto (this was before the pandemic)👣
Namba Yasaka-jinja (難波神社) is the guardian shrine of the Namba district in Ōsaka (大阪). It's nicknamed the "Lion Shrine" thanks to an unusual building. #Osaka#大阪
The shrine's 'Ema-den' (絵馬殿 'Hall of Votive Tablets') is in the shape of a giant lion's head, with bulbous eyes and golden teeth. A stage is nestled within the creature's massive jaws.
Constructed in 1975, the structure is 12m high, 11m wide and 7m deep. #Osaka#Japan#Namba
The gaping mouth of the lion sucks up any evil spirits and misfortune plaguing worshippers, at the same time roaring encouragement in support of the faithful.
It is believed to be especially effective at helping businesses and school children with their exams. #Namba#Osaka#大阪
Accompanying our morning matcha are some rather unusual souvenirs from Nao-san's trip to Yōkoku-ji (楊谷寺)...kitsune and hydrangea-shaped wagashi.
It's very rare for temples to sell fresh sweets, but this is a development we wholeheartedly support😋 #everydaymatcha#和菓子#京都
Yōkoku-ji's sweets are made by a store called 'Kuchifuku-dō' (口福堂) in Saitama. 'Engitsune' (えんぎつね), the kitsune-shaped nerikiri (練り切り), was filled with a citrus-flavoured bean paste. The 'Hanachozu' (花手水), as the name suggests, was inspired by flower basins. #Japan
👣LOTUS LOVE😇
In Kyōto 'kanrensetsu' (観蓮節), 'lotus flower viewing', coincides with the culmination of the Gion Matsuri, when the gods of Yasaka-jinja arrive at their temporary holiday abode in the city.
Temple ponds offer a welcome distraction from the sweltering summer days.
Lotus flowers in many ways perfectly compliment spring's cherry blossoms: sakura (桜) have become a symbol of life's impermanence in Japan, whereas the lotus (蓮 'hasu') offers a more hopeful message of enlightenment and rebirth. #Kyoto#Japan#観蓮節#京都
lotus blossom-
a dragon once rode you
people say
蓮の花辰上りしと人のいふ
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶), 1805.
It is thought this haiku was influenced by Bai Juyi's (白居易 772–846) poem 'Chang Hen Ge' (長恨歌 the 'Song of Everlasting Regret'). #Kyoto#Japan#lotus#小林一茶
In 811 Kūkai (空海) left his post at Otokuni-dera (乙訓寺) to visit the nearby temple of Yōkoku-ji (楊谷寺). Whilst on retreat he noticed monkeys returning each day to a spring. Rather than drink, they washed the eyes of a blind infant🙈💦🤔 #Kyoto
On the 17th day observing the monkeys Kūkai was shocked to see the infant's eyesight restored!
He took his tokko (独鈷), a single-pronged vajra used in esoteric rituals, & touched it against the spring's rock. It cracked and the trickle of water grew to fill a generous pool.
Yōkoku-ji (楊谷寺) shows just how colourful hydrangea can be.
Nishiki Tenmangū (錦天満宮) stands on Shinkyōgoku (新京極), at the east end of Nishiki Market (錦市場). Enshrining Tenjin (天満天神/Sugawara-no-Michizane 菅原道真 845-903), people pray here for wisdom, scholarship & prosperous business. #Japan
The shrine also goes by the names Nishiki Tenjin-sha (錦天神社), Nishiki Tenman-jinja (錦天満神社) and Nishiki-no-Tenjin-san (錦の天神さん).
In early Heian times it was discovered that the area's natural spring water (known as Nishiki Water '錦の水') acted as a preservative for fish, fowl & fresh produce, and as a result countless shops congregated in the vicinity.
Our Masks:
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👃Internal nose wire
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💸1500 yen per mask
📏20.5cm x 9cm deep (opening to 16cm) approx
Shipping is *PER ORDER* not per mask...
🇺🇸US = 500 yen postage
🌍Rest of the World = 300 yen postage