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HUNDREDS OF DOLLS, from Hello Kitty to Disney favourites, are packed to the ceiling at a funeral home near Tokyo.
But they’re not here for show: the dolls destined for dumpsters are getting a final send-off for the afterlife.
The ceremony this week underlines Japan’s still-strong belief that all things – from shrimps and eggs to scissors and rocks – have a soul.
About 20 doll owners chanted a sutra with Buddhist monk Shingyo Goto as he performed the send-off ceremony in the doll-stuffed room, filled with the heady scent of incense.
“We believe a soul lives inside dolls, so I perform a service to take the spirits out of them and express the feeling of gratitude to them” before bidding them farewell, said Goto, who lives at the prestigious Yakushiji temple in the ancient city of Nara.
Japan’s neon-lit capital may look ultra-modern, but many in the country of 127 million still hold tightly to longstanding traditions, including the animist beliefs linked to its dominant religions: Buddhism and native Shintoism.
And so ceremonies to bid farewell to inanimate objects – including dolls – are not uncommon.
The funeral home hosting this week’s memorial charged 500 yen (around €4) for each doll’s soul send-off.
“All things have a soul in it regardless of what it is, from a needle, a pair of scissors to an egg, and we give thanks to those things,” Goto said after the ceremony in Yokohama south of Tokyo.
“We have to have the feeling of appreciation for all things.”
If only the kitchen was slightly bigger.
Yeah, I was considering buying it till I saw that. I mean, what’s the point in buying a house where me, Mr Shalakalananaka, my 15 kids, my 36 kids, my great-grandkids and my cats can’t all spin around like helicopters in the kitchen without touching each other and knocking over dishes?
wifi is awful in these places. walls are too thick for a decent signal. does my head in. ill never live in a castle again
I don’t get the red thumbs, I was being genuine.
Mrs Shalakalananaka, if you want us to believe you’re genuine telling us you have 51 kids isn’t the way to go about it!
15 kids
You backwards reading twit …. And that’s no way to speak to a lady.
“my 15 kids, my 36 kids” add em together you’ve got 51
Nice save hardly !! Nice save indeed.
thank’s nelg !!
Oh feckballs, I meant 36 grandkids. 51 kids, Jesus, I couldn’t think of anything worse. xD The 15 I have are bad enough (only messing, I love my little angels!).
Thank you for looking out for me, Glen. You are a true gentleman, rare in this day and age, but no less adored. <3
Glen, every single story you post. Go get a pint or something, jeez…
So what, he can post if he wants Chinaski. No need to be a biznatch about it.
i’m buying it on wednesday after i win the euromillions on tuesday…
Id buy to let it out only the law now says ive to accept rent allowance
The broadband is dial up though, or eircom as it’s known
If I won the Euro lotto I would by it.
Yeah very nice but how many bedrooms? I’ve a family to consider.
Dunno why you’d bother when for just a million more you could have a 4 bed semi-d with on street parking in south county Dublin
nice place for someone deserving
Not even one topic,not even one !!!!!!.
you appear to be upset about something mike?
Yeah Mike what’s upsetting you Mike ;)
they mustnt take rent allowance…
Oh look,the other cheek of the arse.
The circle is complete.
you must have the mother of all hangovers mike your like a briar :D
That’s how harry price likes him
I actually hope Mr Price takes my advice and reports you to twitter with a view to suing you for bullying and slander.
You really are a clown aren’t you.
I hope he does too :)
who exactly am i supposed to be bullying and slandering? why do you have to persistently insult people. you don’t agree with me, i get it, that is your choice, but disagreeing isn’t enough for you you have embarked on some personal vendetta and are now ranting about slander and other such nonsense.
I’m not talking about you , you overestimate your importance on the planet.
You gillwhoever are nothing but a mild irritation.
Cool, I was just asking
have your say