Terminal illnesses, dying and death are considered “negative” or impure and akin to “contamination.” Frank discussions on death and dying may be difficult at first. However, at some point most Japanese are said to embrace Buddhism in later life. As such, death is considered a natural process, a part of life.
In Japanese culture, dying may be perceived as something that cannot be controlled and is something that just is. Those in the process of dying may request that their adult children make end-of-life arrangements and decisions for them, and may prefer that the eldest son does so if his parents are unable to.
The Shinto faith has influenced the harsher side of mourning and death. Japanese mourning is a slow process that people experience together. The first response to tragedy and death is to take care of the immediate details and needs in a practical and efficient manner.
In Japan, symbolic rituals may include placing a knife on the body or sprinkling salt to ward off bad spirits. Other traditional rituals include washing of the body and dressing the individual in white kimono-style clothing. However, these traditions by and large have not been carried on in North America.
Despite the importance of death rituals, in traditional Japanese culture the subject is considered unclean as everything related to death is thought to be a source of kegare (defilement). After coming into contact with the dead, individuals must cleanse themselves through purifying rituals.
The spiritual energy, or kami, in everyone is released and recycled at the time of death. The spirits live in another world, the most sacred of which is called “the other world of heaven.” These other worlds are not seen as a paradise or a punishment. Instead the worlds are simply where the spirits reside.
The majority of funerals (葬儀, sōgi or 葬式, sōshiki) in Japan include a wake, the cremation of the deceased, a burial in a family grave, and a periodic memorial service. According to 2007 statistics, 99.81% of deceased Japanese are cremated.
In Japan, there are only four colors to be considered primary, pure, and genuine. White is a color of purity and represents truth, humility, and mourning. Black is associated with formality as well as mourning. Red is symbolic of the sun and is linked to authority, strength, sacrifice, joy, and happiness.
On the first day of Obon, Japanese families will usually clean their houses and prepare food offerings for their past relatives, called ozen (お 膳 ぜん ). The main offerings are fruit, rice, green tea, sake and some special lotus shaped sweets.
A common view is that accidents and illnesses are divine punishment (tatari) or even can be understood as a form of revenge. Such a view presumes in most cases that there is a relation between the afflicted person and the spirit, which in many cases clearly is not the case.
Kodokushi (孤独死) or lonely death is a Japanese phenomenon of people dying alone and remaining undiscovered for a long period of time. First described in the 1980s, kodokushi has become an increasing problem in Japan, attributed to economic troubles and Japan's increasingly elderly population.
However, cultures vary in how they conceptualize death and what happens when a person dies. In some cultures, death is conceived to involve different conditions, including sleep, illness, and reaching a certain age. In other cultures, death is said to occur only when there is a total cessation of life.
Strict Buddhist tradition calls for ceremonies every seven days after the death, then every seventh day until the forty-ninth day. Often, when relatives cannot afford to travel or take time from their work, only one or two ceremonies are held before the forty-ninth day.
However, there is no specific prayer for the dead. In the Shinto belief, certain words have stronger meanings and spiritual power if used as part of a prayer. The most common prayers used during funerals and ceremonies are known as Norito. These are incantations directly given to a kami.
Put flowers in a vase in front of a gravestone or offer sweets or food which the deceased person liked. After offering incense sticks and offerings, ladle out water from a wooden tub and pour water over a grave. Put your hands flat together in prayer.
It is generally acceptable to wear red in Japan, but some contexts such as religious sites or funerals may require more subdued colors like black or white. Neutral colors like black, gray, navy blue, light ... In short: Yes.
/ 悲 - Japanese Kanji character for Sad, Sorrow.
Purple, for example, is a metaphor for undying love, the imagery deriving from the fact that gromwell (murasaki), the plant used to create the dye, has very long roots. Perhaps the most popular colour for kimono is red, derived from safflower (benibana).
Money and chrysanthemums in Japan
White and yellow chrysanthemums and lilies are particularly suitable, because they're associated with death. Flowers in bright colours are taboo. Alongside floral wreaths, you can also bring condolence money (kōden, 香典) for the family to a Japanese funeral.
Shintoism is Japan's indigenous spirituality. It is believed that every living thing in nature (e.g. trees, rocks, flowers, animals - even sounds) contains kami, or gods. Consequently Shinto principles can be seen throughout Japanese culture, where nature and the turning of the seasons are cherished.
Yes, cremated remains can be carried either in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage depending on your baggage allowance.
Within the Shinto religion, there is a belief that each person harbors a kami (神 – divine spirit) that is bound and weakened inside the human body. When dying, this spirit regains his power and comes out of the deceased. This soul interacts in different ways with the world of the living.
Shinto funerals
Death is seen as impure and conflicting with the essential purity of Shinto shrines. For the same reason, cemeteries are not built near Shinto shrines. The result of this is that most Japanese have Buddhist or secular funerals, and cremation is common.
Imported from China in the 7th century, Buddhism has integrated itself firmly into the Japanese culture. The underlying premise of this religion is the belief in reincarnation, Karma and striving to reach a state of self-enlightenment (becoming a Buddha).
Almost nine out of ten Japanese funerals are conducted as a blend of Buddhist and Shinto traditions, a practice that both religions would see as complementary. Most homes maintain a Buddhist altar and a Shinto shrine. When death occurs, the altar and shrine are closed and covered to keep the spirits of the dead out.