Japanese considerations of death and life (1)

The main current religions of Japan are Shinto and Buddhism.
Both religions have long history, almost parts of thought have been mixed.
Some years ago, the movie, “Departures” won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
This film expressed Japanese consideration of death and life.

Approx. 90% of Japanese are Buddhist.
In Japanese Buddhism, the bereaved family give the white clothes to dead person and give Rokumonsen. (white clothes is called Shinishozoku which means clothes for dead person, Rokumonsen means six coins).

And it make him/her put into coffin, and cremate it.

This costume is traveler’s in Edo period. white version is for dead person only.
Dead person travels from this world to the world after death.

Attention when you put KIMONO on.
Don’t wear left side cloth on your body. It’s called HIDARIMAE, this way of wear is dead person only.

There is Sanzu river that flows at border between this world and the world after death.
Dead person goes across Sanzu river by ship.
As it needs Rokumonsen to ride on the ship, dead person pays Rokumonsen at there.
An old woman who is called Datsueba exists at riverbank, she takes the clothes instead of Rokumonsen from dead person who has not the coins.

After crossing the river, dead person is put on trial by Enma Daioh at seven times every seven days.
Enma Daioh judges based on Enma-Cho (Enma’s note) that is writing all actions of dead person.

Dead person gets conclusion after 49 days (the bereaved family put bones into graves after 49 days of his/her death)

Next :
About Rikudo (six world) that Enma Daioh gives to dead person.

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