AboutTim Clark Expertise I can answer questions about Japanese religion, specifically, Shinto, its history and practice. I can also answer questions about Japanese mythology relating the the Kami, and more precisely their relation to the ancient books Nihon-Shouki and Kojiki.
Experience I have studied the Japanese Cosmology of creation stories from the Nihon-Shouki and Kojiki for several years, and additionally I lived and worked for at the only Japanese Shinto shrine in the US, as an assistant to the Priest.
Education/Credentials Currently enrolled in a BA program of Education at University of South Florida.
Awards and Honors 2 Year Scholarship to Bevill State College for 1st Place in state-wide World History test, 2003.
Expert: Tim Clark Date: 6/7/2008 Subject: distinguishing 9 light intensities in a day
Question Dear Tim,
About the subject I'm not very sure if it was of Japanese or Chinese origin.
Long ago I've read it somewhere, shortly, I tried to find it on the net but
without result, the wish to know has made me do my own 9 'parts' of the day
and now a comparison would be nice.
Hope you can give me any clue,
and thank you on beforehand for any trouble.
Salute
frans vogelzang
Answer ***Update***
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You know there is a special Mon (crest or logo) used by the Shinkendo organization, who practice and teach samurai combat. It is called the Kuyo mon, and I believe it will answer your question.
Please read about it here!! http://www.shinkendo.com/wheel.html
If you also look up "kuyo mon" on google you cna see what it looks like.
Thanks!
Frans,
I am not sure exactly what you mean by the nine parts of the day. Do you mean the study of how the traditional hours of the day came to be in China or Japan? If so, then I am not familiar with any nine distinctions of the day present in Japanese tradition. The number 8 however is very important in Shinto, and 9 does have some part to play in the calander as well. For example, there is a system of divinations based on a square divided into nine parts, sometimes representing a human form. Each year is represented by one of the 9 squares and denotes what type of fortune or misfortune is likely during that time of the year. These days, most shrines have their own system however, as Jinja Shinto (Shrine Shinto) is not altogether on entity, but a collection of semi-indipendant shrines.
