Infographics (1)

For the last two weeks I’ve been diving into the Machiya: the tradition, the structure, the dwellers. I try to understand a little bit about the Kyoto culture in relation to the Machiya, but everything is so interwoven with each other and so different from my culture, that it’s very difficult to get a finger on the essence of the Machiya so far.

Sometimes I see infographics to explain a ritual. It helps, but it’s only the outside act. Maybe by doing so I will slowly understand the meaning and in a way experience the essence.

Before you enter the complex of the shrine, you wass your hands as a way of ablution. Read this picture from left to right!

Bowing at the temple. First throw a coin in the basket, then ring the bell and than two time bowing, to times clapping, one time bowing. Read from right to left!