YABAI Japan Explanation– category –

Ever wondered about those little white papers tied to trees and wire racks at Japanese temples and shrines? They're not prayer notes or wishes—they're fortunes with a twist. Let me introduce you to one of Japan's most peculiar spiritual ...

In the Western imagination, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines are serene sanctuaries of meditation and prayer. While this is certainly true, what most visitors to Japan never discover is the surprising tradition of architectural pranks...

From the famous temples of Kyoto to secluded shrines in the mountains of Tohoku, Japanese religious architecture conceals unexpected humor. Drunken dragons painted on the ceilings of solemn main halls, playful touches hidden in intricate...