The end of the road in Buddhist Japan

is that we still have responsibilities to o-ba-chan, and to o-jii-chan, and my wife’s aunt, and some day my as-yet-unborn child will have that responsibility to me. Perhaps more Confucian than Buddhist, we must annually visit the graves, clean them with water, burn fresh incense and add fresh flowers. Is it troublesome? Perhaps, but it is a reason for the living to get together as a family once in awhile and have lunch, and it is a comfort to us, too, for we know that we shall not be forgotten. --------------------------------------------------

*Whether by design or fortunate accident, there was no recognizable “face.” Either that part is so thin it burns easily to ash, or it is removed by some unseen attendant prior to viewing to keep from upsetting the family. Back to top

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