Sorry to be back in the graveyard but it is Halloween after all. Foreigners, (gaijin, 外人 "outside people"), have forever been fascinated by what's different about Japan. Even now, in the 21st century, Japan a modern sophisticated and in many ways Western country has bits and pieces that continue to surprise.
So when we visited the family temple I had a quick look at the graves that had been visited that day and were still open. So what to take with you? Well your nearest and dearest are there to help and leave a great range of food and drink to help you on your way. Here is some of the ones I found:
Grape Fanta, nothing but the best of course.
Cigarettes and a cold beer.
I wonder what carried this bloke away?
Fruit Jelly Vegetable Juice
Bananas
Elsewhere I've seen toy trucks, for a truckie I suppose, video games and even a pack of cards. Eternity can be eternally long after all.
Elsewhere I've seen toy trucks, for a truckie I suppose, video games and even a pack of cards. Eternity can be eternally long after all.
A health drink.
Better late than never.
A rather nasty coffee scroll.
Egypt
The judge you may meet on the way.
With Tomono's mother, into her coffin went: Her best coat, her favourite handbag, her stuffed teddy bear, some of her favourite jewelry, tomatoes and cucumbers from her garden, her best Italian shoes, many bunches of flowers and her hat.
oh that we had such engaged traditions - i put lots of plants in Mum and Dad's but i do like shrines and cemetries - a sense of place but i for one would like a good view as well. :-)
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