The 72 Seasonal Terms: The 72 Seasonal Terms originated as a traditional Chinese system for marking the passage of time, rooted in ancient astronomy and calendar science. Developed in ancient China around the 4th century BC, the system was introduced to Japan in the 6th century, where it was adapted to the local climate and culture. The year was divided into 24 solar terms based on the sun’s movement. Each term was further divided into three shorter periods, creating 72 micro

A Japanese Shinto Ritual of Purification  Misogi (禊) is a Shinto ritual that goes beyond mere cleansing—it is a return to purity. Its origins trace back to the ancient Kojiki,  literally “Records of Ancient Matters,” completed in 712 CE and regarded as Japan’s oldest surviving book, in which the deity Izanagi purifies himself in the sea after returning from the land of Yomi. From this myth comes the belief that water and salt possess the power to wash away impurity, symbolisi

Ohigan  (literally “the other shore”) is a Japanese Buddhist tradition observed during the spring and autumn equinoxes, when day and night are nearly equal in length. It is believed that during these times, the world of the living and the realm of the ancestors draw closest together.  From this belief arose a custom, dating back to the Nara period (early 9th century), of expressing gratitude, offering prayers to ancestors, and honoring nature.  Sun, our Amaterasu  Connecting