A Buddhist monk begging as a komusō

A komusō, was a Japanese begging monk of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism, during the Edo period of 1600-1868.  Komusō were characterised by the straw basket (a sedge or reed hood named a tengai) worn on the head, manifesting the absence of specific ego.  They are also known for playing solo pieces on the shakuhachi (a type of Japanese bamboo flute).

These pieces, called honkyoku (“original pieces”) were played during a meditative practice called suizen for alms, as a method of attaining enlightenment, and as a healing modality. The Japanese government introduced reforms after the Edo period, abolishing the Fukè sect.  Records of the musical repertoire survived, and are being revived in the 20th century.

adapted from wikipedia.org

Kanji Dial Face in Honey Finish, Zen Alarm Clocks with a progressive chime

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Bamboo trees in Kyoto, Japan

Bamboo are a group of perennial evergreen (except for certain temperate species) plants in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae.  Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family.

Bamboos are also the fastest growing woody plants in the world.  They are capable of growing up to 60 centimeters (24 in.) or more per day due to a unique rhizome-dependent system.  However, this astounding growth rate is highly dependent on local soil and climatic conditions. 

Bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in East Asia and South East Asia where they are used extensively in everyday life as building materials, as a food source and as a highly versatile raw product.

adapted from wikipedia.org

Bamboo Chime Alarm Clock, for a progressive awakening

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Boulder, CO  80302

Hana Wachigai, the crest of the Izumo Genji clans (Oki, Enya, Takaoka)

Mon, also monshō, mondokoro, and kamon, are Japanese heradic symbols.  Mon may refer to any symbol, while kamon and mondokoro refer specifically to family symbols.

There are no set rules in the design of a mon. It most commonly consists of a roundel encircling a figure of plant, animal, man-made, natural or celestial objects, all abstracted to various degrees. 

Religious symbols, geometric shapes and kanji were commonly used as well.  Virtually all modern Japanese families have a mon, though modern usage is rare.  Many Japanese may no longer recognize their own family’s mon.

adapted from wikipedia.org

Zen Chime Alarm Clock, Digital Black Lacquer by Now & Zen

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koinobori ornament of Tango no sekku, early summer

Koinobori, meaning “carp streamer” in Japanese, are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Tango no Sekku, a traditional calendrical event which is now designated a National holiday called Children’s Day.  These wind socks are made by drawing carp patterns on paper, cloth or other nonwoven fabric.  They are then allowed to flutter in the wind.  They are also known as satsuki-nobori.

There is a famous short Koinobori Song often sung by kids and their families:

Higher than the roof-tops are the koinobori
The large Black Carp is the father
The smaller Golden Carp are the children
They seem to be having fun swimming.

adapted from wikipedia.org

Zen Chime Clock with Japanese Maple Leaves in Honey Finish

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Boulder, CO  80302

koinobori

Tango no Sekku, a traditional calendrical event which is now designated a National holiday, also known as Children’s Day in Japan.  

Children’s Day takes place on May 5th.  Landscapes across Japan are decorated with koinobori from April to early May, in honor of sons and in the hope that they will grow up healthy and strong.

adapted from wikipedia.org

Bamboo Digital Chime Clock, for a progressive awakening

Now & Zen

1638 Pearl Street

Boulder, CO  80302

(800) 779-6383

Cherry blossoms (sakura), often simply called blossoms (hana) are a common spring kigo.

Kigo is a word or phrase associated with a particular season, used in Japanese poetry.  

The association of kigo with a particular season may be obvious, though sometimes it is more subtle.  Pumkins (kabocha), for example, are a winter squash that is associated with the autumn harvest.

It may be less obvious why the moon (tsuki) is an autumn kigo, since it is visible year round.  In autumn the days become shorter and the nights longer, yet they are still warm enough to stay outside, so one is more likely to notice the moon.  Often the night sky will be free of clouds so that also helps with noticing the moon.  Autumn is also the time when the full moon can help farmers work under the moonlight to harvest their crops.

adapted from wikipedia.org

Digital Zen Alarm Clock, a meditation timer and progressive alarm clock

 Now & Zen

1638 Pearl Street

Boulder, CO  80302