Directory: Fudō

Fudō Myō-ō wrathful mainifestation of Dainichi Nyorai

Illumination in the Tokonoma

In traditional Japanese architecture, the toko-no-ma, 床の間, floor-’s-room, is a central feature and acts as the central artistic, and perhaps, spiritual focal point. It is raised slightly above the main tatami mat floor to show it is a special space. The curated selection of the objects in the tokonoma are intentionally arranged to harmonize with the season, the overarching theme of the gathering, or the particular sensibilities of the guest, or the host, and first function as a type of silent greeting. Through this precise presentation, a unique sanctuary is created, honoring the singular nature of this encounter, ichi-go ichi-e, 一期一会, one-time one-meeting, which exists only within...

Tea in March

In the world of Chanoyu, March is a time when Sen no Rikyū, 千利休, Thousand ’s Rich-quit, is honored and memorialized. Rikyū was born in 1522 and died in 1591. His death, according to the old lunar calendar, was on the 28th day of the second month in 1591. That year had an added ‘leap’ second lunar first month to make adjustments for lunar events to more closely ally with the solar calendar. The actual date of his death was April 21. Kake-mono, 掛物, hang-thing, Rikyū no e, 利休の絵, Rikyū’s picture. With calligraphy from the left: 釈迦仏天下人 Sha-ka Butsu ten-ka-jin, Explain-‘ka’ Buddha heaven-down-person [Shaka or...

Chakin and Lotus

Over the past four decades, I have thought that there is a close relationship between the dō-gu, 道具, way-tool, of Chanoyu and Buddhist implements. That which prompts this thought is primarily in the presence of the lotus and its various aspects. It is the means in which one is reborn into Buddhist paradise. Perhaps the most obvious object is the lotus, and, in particular, its seedpod, ren-niku, 蓮肉, lotus-flesh. The conical pod resembles the form of the Ten-moku ja-wan, 天目茶碗, Heaven-eye tea-bowl. The Tenmoku bowl holding tea is placed on the Buddhist altar along with other utensils that are based on the lotus forms. Black lotus...

Furo: Style and Form

Water for making tea is heated in a kettle that is heated over a charcoal fire set in a hearth. The hearth was a standard open square in the floor called an i-ro-ri, 囲炉裏, surround-heart-inner, filled with ash and various implement to support different vessels, which were also hung above the fire. In Chanoyu, the hearth was called a fu-ro, 風炉, wind-hearth. The earliest form of kama was supported directly on the furo. The kama of the Ki-men-bu-ro, 鬼面風炉, Demon-face-wind-hearth, has a quarter-round flange called a hane, 羽, wing, sits on the furo atop an upright perforated collar called a koshiki, 甑, ring support. Such furo...