12 Comments
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Grant Periott's avatar

Love this mythopoetic weaving and wondering. A thoughtful and insightful piece that shares a Japanese cultural lens that spans both an ancient and modern take on the Japanese death demons.

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Rionne “Fujiwara” McAvoy's avatar

Thanks mate. It’s a personal piece and not the way I wanted to find out about the demons. Hope you are well my friend.

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Grant Periott's avatar

Yes doing well, probably won’t make it to Japan this year as I have too much going on. I like writing too, it helps me process and deep dive into things. Take care and keep up the exploration

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Rionne “Fujiwara” McAvoy's avatar

Great, anywhere I can read your writing?

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Robert Whiting's avatar

another outstanding piece

A first rate writer as well as a first rate filmmaker!

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Rionne “Fujiwara” McAvoy's avatar

Thank you Bob, that's a massive honor coming from you! 🙏

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Jeff Kingston's avatar

Well crafted n informative essay

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John Hojlo's avatar

Nice! I’ve always liked that story.

What are the names of the paintings? They’re pretty sweet.

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Rionne “Fujiwara” McAvoy's avatar

Pretty cool story huh!

I just found the pictures on Google image search so not sure what the names are! Thanks for reading, I also enjoy your substack too.

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John Hojlo's avatar

Thank you for the support!

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Francis Turner's avatar

Fun. I had never thought about the possible connection between Izanami and the Shinigami

Here in the provice of Izumo though we have the entrance to the underworld that Izanagi used - https://www.kankou-shimane.com/en/japanesemythology/yomi-no-kuni/ - and not that far away is the Hibayama that is supposed to be Izanami's grave. I've visited the shrine at the bottom but for lack of time we didn't climb up the mountain.

In the next door land of Iwami there's a sake brewery that has the Shinigami brand (http://www.kamofuku.co.jp/shinigami/shinigami.htm ). It's a nice kimoto junmaishu that tastes good warm and turns nicely brown as it ages

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Rionne “Fujiwara” McAvoy's avatar

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing Francis!

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