Netsuke are uniquely Japanese and sublime in their beauty. They are tiny objects carved of ivory, ceramic, wood, tortoise-shell, gold or many other materials. They tell the story of the culture of Japan during the old Edo period and before. Netsuke featured fishermen and farmers, who rubbed shoulders with scholars, samurai warriors, royalty and evenContinue reading “Netsuke & Gashapon toys Ancient Japanese treasures and modern collectibles”
Tag Archives: spirituality
Ancient Fable: St. Francis of Assisi and the injured wolf
13th century Italian saint, St Francis of Assisi never understood earth as being a garden of resources over which we have dominion. Instead, he saw the earth as a mother or a sister who governs us.
Wild woman quote: A Door
“The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run with the Wolves.
Japan’s 72 gossamer-light and poetic microseasons
The traditional seasons in Japan are marked out by impercetibly small changes in nature across 72 miniature seasons in a year, each lasting 5 days and reflecting the fleeting, impermanent and diaphanous beauty of nature and all of its wonders. There are 24 divisions or sekki in the calendar that are split into 72 kōContinue reading “Japan’s 72 gossamer-light and poetic microseasons”
Everyone comes into the world with a job to do
Everyone comes into the world with a job to do— I don’t mean working for a company, a corporation— we were all given gifts to share, even the animals, even the plants, minerals, clouds . . . all beings. From ‘Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings’ by Native American Poet Laureate Joy Harjo
Omnia tempus habent: a delightful medieval rhyming calendar
Omnia tempus habent – All things have their season. Ecclesiastes Here is a medieval rhyming calendar outlining the labours of the months in the fields, dating from 14th century England. The mis-spelling of the words reflects their Old English origins. Discovered via the fun and enjoyable book Weatherland: Writers and artists under English skies byContinue reading “Omnia tempus habent: a delightful medieval rhyming calendar”
The bones of native peoples
Imagine if we natives went to the cemeteries in your cities and dug up your beloved relatives, pulled off rings, watches, and clothes and called them “artefacts,” then carried the bones over to the university for study so we could understand you. Consider that there are more bones of native people in universities and museumsContinue reading “The bones of native peoples”
We all have our helpers in seen and unseen realms
We all have helpers in seen and unseen realms.Give them something to do.Otherwise, they will grow inattentive with boredom.They can clean junk from your mind,Find the opening note for the chorus of a song,Or give a grandchild a safe path through the dark.They will not give you winning numbers at the casino,Wash your dishes, orContinue reading “We all have our helpers in seen and unseen realms”
The ancient and elusive fairisle of Hy Brasil
Hy Brasil is a mysterious phantom island that was thought to exist off the west coast of Ireland in the Atlantic Ocean for hundreds of years. The area being nautically challenging for seafarers, it was an elusive and mysterious place, hailed in pre-Christian times as being the Celtic Elysium or land of promise. During ChristianContinue reading “The ancient and elusive fairisle of Hy Brasil”
Where did Māori and Polynesians come from?
Tā Moko (Māori facial tattoos) is covered by a Polish YouTuber who makes claims about the origin of Māori that are incorrect – so I set the record straight here!
Content Catnip 