"The Sakura Seven: A walk to gain good fortune" (Japan Today article)

Bradypus

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• Dec 22, 2022

• #1

Something seasonal which I came across this morning. According to this article there is a custom in Japan to visit temples and shrines dedicated to the "seven lucky gods" at New Year - recording your visits to each site by collecting stamps on a special card. That sounds familiar. Usually the route is only a few km long and can be walked quite easily on a single day. The article describes one of the many possible routes in some detail. It looks and sounds like a very condensed version of walking the Shikoku 88 temple circuit. In Japanese mythology the seven lucky gods arrive by ship in Japan at New Year time. I couldn't help seeing parallels with some European Christmas traditions like the Dutch Sinterklaas celebrations. The seven deities have their origins in Buddhism, Shinto and Taoism - like much of religion in Japan the roots of the custom are very eclectic!

The Sakura Seven: A walk to gain good fortune

In Japan, various rituals and activities can be undertaken to bring on good luck or good fortune. These are especially popular at New Year’s, when one’s slate has been wiped clean to begin again. One such activity is the Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage, a walking course to visit and pay…

japantoday.com

Seven Lucky Gods - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

VNwalking

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• Mar 27, 2023

• #2

Gracias!
Plus the cherry trees will be blooming soon hence 'sakura?' Just guessing.

Off topic, but sakura...for anyone in and around Washington DC, may you enjoy peak bloom right now at the Tidal Basin! This photo was online this morning, from the NPS:

 

Bradypus

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• Mar 27, 2023

• #3

VNwalking said:

Gracias!
Plus the cherry trees will be blooming soon hence 'sakura?' Just guessing.

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I took this photo on 26 March 2018 - 5 years ago yesterday. Just outside the Great Buddha Hall in Nara. I'd love to be back in Japan right now!

 

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VNwalking

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• Mar 27, 2023

• #4

Bradypus said:

I'd love to be back in Japan right now!

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Likewise! What an amazing photo.

 

dick bird

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• Apr 9, 2023

• #5

As of Monday, we will be in Japan to walk the Nakahechi and Kohechi routes of the Kumano Kodo and we will also spend a few days on Shikoku island which is circumvented by the 88 temples route. I'll try and post some photos.

 

Bradypus

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• Apr 9, 2023

• #6

dick bird said:

As of Monday, we will be in Japan to walk the Nakahechi and Kohechi routes of the Kumano Kodo and we will also spend a few days on Shikoku island which is circumvented by the 88 temples route. I'll try and post some photos.

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Ganbatte! I hope your knees are in good shape for the Kohechi.

 

Bradypus

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• Apr 15, 2023

• #7

Are you planning to walk the Choishimichi from the plains up to Koyasan? A longish day but a great way to get there!

https://www.kudoyama-kanko.jp/download/files/choishimiti-eng.pdf