While scattering of ashes is often thought of as a new memorial service method, its history actually dates back to Japan's Nara period. The burial method of scattering ashes in the mountains is the simplest way to return to nature, as the saying goes, "When we die, we return to the earth." In fact, the modern practice of burial in a grave is actually more recent. Scattering of ashes is said to ・・・

The Heian period history book Shoku Nihon Kōki (Volume 9) records that Emperor Junna (the retired emperor), who passed away in 840, requested that his ashes be scattered, and that he was cremated and then scattered at the summit of Nishiyama in Oharano. By order of Emperor Junna (the retired emperor), his body was cremated and then scattered at the summit of Nishiyama in Oharano・・・

Empress Jitō (645-702, died at age 58) was the first emperor to be cremated. She was the third female emperor in the history of the Imperial family. Her father, Prince Nakano Oe, carried out the Taika Reforms. She established the foundations of Japanese politics by enacting the Ritsuryo Code, establishing the family registry, and building a proper capital. She moved the capital to ・・・

There are waka poems in the Manyoshu that show that scattering ashes has been a tradition in Japan since ancient times. These poems beautifully describe the feelings felt when scattering ashes. The younger sister of Tamakamoashi is scattered on the pure mountainside of Ashihiki. The younger sister of Tamazusa is a flower, and if you sow it in the shade of the mushrooms, it will disappear・・・

Grave goods are a "final gift" to the deceased. While the term "grave goods" is often used today to refer to items placed in the coffin with the body during cremation, you may have heard of burial goods dating back thousands of years. These items were buried with the deceased because they were thought to be necessary for mourning or for survival in the afterlife. They are not simply・・・

While scattering ashes was common in Japan from the Nara period onward, its gradual decline is thought to be largely due to the Danka system, which was implemented as part of the Edo Shogunate's policy of religious control. Under the Danka system, all funeral and memorial services were the responsibility of each individual's temple. Regular worship and memorial services were made ・・・

During the Jomon period, flexed burials were common. The body is buried in a bent position. This style is unique and rarely seen outside of Japan, except in some parts of Africa. It's said that flexed burials were performed to pray for the resurrection of the deceased by placing them in a fetal position. Another theory is that it was done to reduce the labor required for digging graves.・・・

The Yayoi period is when immigrants from the continent migrated to the Japanese archipelago and began to settle there. During the Yayoi period, the custom of burying people in wooden coffins was introduced from the Korean Peninsula, and tombs in which bodies were placed in wooden coffins (wooden coffin tombs) began to appear. Crouched burials became unseen and extended burials, ・・・

During the Kofun period, kofun tombs grew even larger than those built during the Yayoi period. This was a time when the power of those in power exploded. The Kofun period spans approximately 350 years, from the 3rd to the 7th century, during which kofun were actively constructed in Japan. It falls between the Yayoi and Asuka periods, and is believed to be the period during which the prototype ・・・

The Asuka period spans the period from 593, when Empress Suiko ascended to the throne, to 710, when the capital was moved to Heijo-kyo. This was a time of great change for Japan, as various cultures, policies, and ideas were introduced to Japan with the introduction of Buddhism. It was also during the Asuka period that Japan promoted policies aimed at becoming a Ritsuryo state・・・

Not much is known about graves and burials during the Nara and Heian periods. However, what is known is that during the Nara period, it was prohibited to build graves within Heijo-kyo (the capital of Nara). As a result, no graves from that period have been discovered within Heijo-kyo. This basic policy appears to have remained unchanged into the Heian period, with even graves for the privileged classes, such as emperors and aristocrats, being built outside Heijo-kyo. As in the Asuka period, graves for ・・・

The Kamakura period was a time when innovative new forms of Buddhism emerged simultaneously. Previously, Buddhism was primarily the practice of aristocrats and other privileged classes. However, with the advent of the Kamakura period, it began to be embraced by the emerging samurai class and even commoners. Interpretations and nuances changed, and Buddhism evolved into a form・・・

Cremation culture began to spread during the Kamakura period, but burial became the norm again during the Edo period. This is thought to be due to the Edo Shogunate's emphasis on Neo-Confucianism in order to maintain feudal rule. The Edo period is also known as the height of Confucianism. The Edo Shogunate is known for its widespread application of Confucian teachings throughout the ・・・

The new government, born out of the Meiji Restoration, banned private funerals with the goal of expelling Buddhism and promoting Christianity. However, due to a lack of burial land and widespread demand for the resumption of cremation, the ban was lifted after just two years, and both burial and cremation were reinstated. Officially, the goal was to promote Shintoism, but it appears that ・・・

The Tokyo Trials, held after World War II, saw the death sentence for seven Class A war criminals, including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo (December 30, 1884 - December 23, 1948), who served as prime minister at the time of the outbreak of the Pacific War. However, their remains were not returned to their families, and details of how they were disposed of remained unknown for a long time.・・・