Keywords of Yamato
Inner Peace
Self purification
Spiritual quest.
和
Harmony/ peace
Japan’s first Constitution in 604 stated, ‘Harmony (wa=和）
is of most importance.’
As a result Japan has harmonised Old and New, Oriental and Western, Humans and Nature, as well as Shintoism and Buddhism.
伝
Tradition
Nara-Yamato is full of national treasures, as well as tangible and intangible cultural assets. The ancient capital city of Nara was the Eastern terminal of the Silk Road. There are many traditional arts and crafts, handmade with old techniques and materials.
聖
Sacred
Nara Yamato has many sacred sites, such as holy mountains, rocks, waterfalls, trees, where ancient people worshiped. Later, many Shinto shrines were built around such power spots. Buddha and Kami (Shinto deities) have long been equally worshipped.
美
Beauty
You will find picturesque beauties of the old wooden structures harmonized with seasonal beauties.
Uniquely, there were 8 Empresses in Yamato, in international atmosphere,
before the capital city was moved to Kyoto in the year 794.
魂
Spirit
Tamashii, or spirit of Yamato has been a national pride and formed an unique identity of the Japanese people. Shintoism believe every living beings have a spirit, so regard as sacred and should be respected.
道
Tao/ Path/ Way
Along "Yamanobe no michi", the oldest official road of Japan, many famous waka poets wrote waka. The Nara Yamato province is the oldest pilgrimage site and has been a holy place for 2,000 years.
神
Kami/ gods and goddesses
Shinto, or indigenous religion of Japan usually written as 神道; meaning "Way of the god" . Japanese mythology and history texts written during Nara period are full mystic, legendary gods and goddesses.
癒
Healing
Nara Yamato is full of nature with atmosphere of embracing people. They are not wild, as they have been close to people. Time slows down here. Feel the healing power of nature.
Yamato produces good Yamato cha, green tea and some Japanese herbal medicines.