While visiting Japan, I saw in Hiroshima, Hakone and Tokyo several statues and drawings of Pegasus. At first, I was surprised; then, I realized that, after all, it was rather normal to meet with the famous winged horse of the Greek mythology, although it was far away from Greece!
Why not surprising? Because of his symbolism.
While I was staying in Japan, I went on a day trip — my last one — to Matsushima (i.e. ‘Pine tree islands’), North of Sendai (Miyagi prefecture), reputedly one of the three most beautiful spots in this country. Fortunately, this amazing site has been protected from the 2011 tsunami.
The name Matsushima is well chosen, as there are many islands covered by different kinds of pine trees.
This tree is symbolic in Japan as well as it was in Ancient Greece and Rome.
During Kanda Matsuri festival, portable shrines (Mikoshi) with a phœnix on top are brought in religious procession to Kanda Myojin shrine. Because of this event (one of the three most important in Tokyo, every odd year), which is intended to honour the deities (Kami) of this Shintō temple and to strengthen links between members of several communities, a lot of people and ‘phœnix’ merge at the same place.
But this legendary bird in Asia is it the same one as the phœnix of Ancient times in Greece and Rome? What is their different symbolism?
Continue reading “Eastern world’s phoenix, Western world’s phoenix”
In Japan, a real bestiary goes with the everyday life: cats, badgers, foxes, rabbits, frogs … Each of these animals has a symbolic value: cats for storekeepers, badgers in front of pubs, foxes, rabbits and frogs in shrines.
As for the frogs, they are linked with water, of course, but not only.
In Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in Japanese mythology, frogs hold a major place, but with a different symbolism.
Continue reading “It’s not raining cats and dogs, but frogs!”
Since I have been in Japan, I have seen all kinds of birds: hawk, crane and crow! Crows are everywhere, in mountains, parks, rice fields, shrines, blossoming cherry trees …
In Western countries, a crow usually raises fear and repugnance, as it is linked with sorcery and death. However, in Ancient Greece and Rome it was highly-respected. How is it here, in Japan?
I will mention a few examples and you will judge.