In ancient Hawaii, there was a strict system of laws known as kapu that regulated many aspects of society. These rules could deal with religious practices, resource management, and behaviors relating to gender and social class. The punishment for breaking kapu could be death, unless the offender was able to flee to a sacred place of refuge, known as a pu’uhonua.
Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan and is intimately tied to the culture there. As such, it’s not often you encounter a Shinto shrine outside of that country. A handful of shrines can be found in Hawaii due to the state’s strong Japanese heritage. One is Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii, which I took the opportunity to visit during my stay in Oahu.
I’ve heard it said that Hawaii is a place where East meets West. One of the most immersive examples of this can be experienced by visiting Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe, O’ahu. Situated at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains, this stunning Buddhist temple was dedicated in 1968, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the arrival of Hawaii’s first Japanese immigrants. With its beautiful sanctuary, architecture, and grounds, this sacred space invites reflection and contemplation.
There’s a hilltop park in Lynn, Massachusetts that offers beautiful views of land and sea. Though there’s no indication of it now, it was once the site of a singular occurrence relating to the spiritualist movement of the 19th century. A former minister attempted to build a machine that would be imbued with life and serve as a savior for humanity. Continue reading →
Some time ago, as I was wandering through the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) in Worcester, MA, I came upon a gallery containing various antique weapons and armor. Clearly, these were some of the items from the museum’s Higgins Armory Collection. Towards the back of the room was a large display case with some drawers in its lower section. As I was examining their contents, I came across something unexpected. As I opened one of the drawers, I saw a small, carved face staring out. It was part of a rather elaborate bladed weapon. It turns out this collection contains a Tibetan ritual dagger. Continue reading →
