Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 2.19
Japanese Sandal dedicated to dead people
small Jizo (the guardian God of children) to benefi t their infants' souls. Jizo are
typically dressed in children's clothes, wear caps like real children, and carry amu-
lets. In addition, traditional footwear and caps, toys such as pinwheels, and sweets
are offered. People believed that prayer and these offerings would help an infant
who died young to travel safely to the netherworld.
On June 23 and June 24 of the old calendar, which fall under the days of a temple
festival, itako (mediums between the living and the dead) 6 gather from the Shimokita
Region, including Tsugaru, and conduct kuchiyose (ceremonies summoning dead
spirits and delivering messages) at people's request. 7 On the day of the temple fes-
tival, the itako use special methods to connect the living with the dead, and the other
world with this one. Sacred times and spaces are essential to human life; in the
landscape of Jizo-do , the emotions of bereaved mothers may be deeply felt in our
hearts, and can be deeply moving.
One of the most important functions of religion is to provide values that people
may incorporate in their lives. People encounter various diffi culties in life that can
cause unbelievable unhappiness and intolerable pain, and it is religion's mission to
provide an ultimate explanation for their suffering, however unreasonable, and
6 Refers to popular female oracles in the Tsugaru and Nambu districts, most of whom are blind.
7 Refers to popular female oracles, including itako , who are can be possessed by supernatural
beings and communicate with departed souls.
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