Akiko Murakami
"Shuni-e" ceremony brings spring to Nara
(picture from Wikipedia "shun-e (修二会）") Nigatsudo Hall（二月堂) or the Second Month Temple stands on the hillside of the Todaiji Temple's...
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Akiko Murakami
Mar 15, 2018
A super international man in Nara period: Abe-no Nakamaro (阿倍仲麻呂）
The year 2017 was a historical year, 1300th anniversary year since Abe-no Nakamaro left Japan's capital city Nara, "Heijokyo" in 717. ...
Akiko Murakami
Feb 13, 2018
Photos during the tours
Here are some photos taken during the tours in Nara and Kyoto. Some photos are from 2016, as I made this website in April 2017. I...
Akiko Murakami
Jan 20, 2018
Samurai Swords maker "Kikuichi" with 750 years of history
http://www.kikuichi.com/about.php#En Since I have started my tour guide job, many times I was surprised by a very fact that Samurai Sword...
Akiko Murakami
Jan 14, 2018
Quin's Shinto awakening and Misogi
Last November, I encountered Quin, on a way back from a book launch event in Kyoto about Zen Garden by Professor John Dougill. We had...
Akiko Murakami
Jan 12, 2018
Happy new year 2018!!
On Dec. 31st, I visited Ohmiwa Shrine during daytime to greet and express my gratitude for the past year 2017. (well, usually people pay...
Akiko Murakami
Nov 12, 2017
Nara's product 2: writing brush (fude 筆）
＜web site of Beable ＞ Have you seen any Japanese arts of calligraphy? It is called ,"Shodo (書道）” and is popular as one of the...
Akiko Murakami
Oct 27, 2017
A sunset overlooking the Yamato region
Throughout Japan, we have been having irregularly stormy days with typhoon attacks. October is usually sunny with clear sky and known...
Akiko Murakami
Oct 12, 2017
Nara's products 1: Ink stick (sumi 墨）
Ink stick (sumi) and brush manufacturing businesses is a time-honored industry in Nara since Nara period ( 8th century ). As an ancient...
Akiko Murakami
Sep 22, 2017
The Heart Sutra (Hannya shingyo般若心経)
The Heart Sutra is by far the most popular and well known Sutra in Japanese Buddhism regardless of the sects. Its Sanskrit title,...
Akiko Murakami
Aug 30, 2017
Multiple dimensional world view of Buddhism
Today, we are living in this world, on planet earth, more or less believing we are the only living civilized beings in this Universe. Is...
Akiko Murakami
Aug 2, 2017
Lanterns at Kasuga Grand Shrine (2)
There are about 2,000 stone lanterns both sides of the approach to the main Shrine. Many of them are covered with moss, showing how old...
Akiko Murakami
Jul 30, 2017
Lantern at Kasuga Grand Shrine (1)
Every year, special Lantern lightening ceremony called "Man Toro (万灯籠）" are held at Kasuga taisha Shrine in Nara. About 1,000 hanging...
Akiko Murakami
Jul 22, 2017
My tours featured by Green Shinto blog!
Professor John Dougill made a blog article on his Green Shinto site with 6 questions to me on July 13th. #Nara
Akiko Murakami
Jul 22, 2017
TOKA-E, summer candle night in Nara
Since 1999, Nara Candle Festival (Nara, TOKA-E (燈花会） has been held in Nara Park and many nearby historical sites, as one of the new...
Akiko Murakami
May 18, 2017
The guests in kimono beautifully stand out in a Japanese garden with fresh green.
It was a perfect day to stroll around Nara in kimono for the 2 Canadian ladies. With fresh greens, the nature around this season is so...
Akiko Murakami
Apr 23, 2017
Riverside sakura in Nara
Guests from Santa fe, on April 14 I took three guests to catch the best timing and location for sakura shooting in Nara, Saho...
Akiko Murakami
Apr 23, 2017
Yae sakura is its peak season in Nara!
After the most popular kind of sakura (someiyoshino) are all gone, next, Yaezakura (八重桜 or 8-layer sakura; pink, gorgeous, double...
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