Magic Winter in Japan



Created, written and photographed © Mikhail Tank



All Rights Reserved.
MikhailTank.com @MikhailTank





Before anything, I would like to welcome you to a Magic Winter in Japan … these are my two favorite images from the journey. Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺 / The Silver Pavilion), taken on my Birthday, December 30th.

And an Imperial tree with its roots reflected in the clear as sky water, at the Kyoto Sentō Imperial Palace on December 27th. The Sentō grounds and palace are a model of what I’d like my home to be, first physically, then spiritually.

Introduction

I don’t mix the two. Chinese and Japanese cultures are very different. Two distinct planets that share similar DNA.
Yes, I look at Japan as a whole new planet with remnants of DNA, protected and refined, in many ways.
The cover of this book, I took on my Birthday at Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion in Kyoto — also my favorite precious and majick metal. It cools, soothes, and protects me.

What is Majick and what is winter ~ two of my top 15 favorite subjects. Majick is the ability to utilize will, focus, time and space in some positive form, and winter is the season of my birth and a time for overall renewal and growth.

I am ever so grateful to be a triple Capricorn and having been born after Christmas and before the New Year on my favorite number 3, when the world is celebrating, the energy is heightened, there is typically no work, and lots of presents and love. And no more certain overplayed music which can slightly eek my ears.

This year I spent the Holidays in Kyoto, Japan. Staying in Gion, the Geisha and Kabuki (sacral chakra) district. For my Birthday, I purchased a Sun and Moon carved Magatama at Ishi Gion, a natural quality stone and crystal shop, this one carved in Japan from Burmese Jadeite. I’ve collected Magatama, including from Itoigawa 糸魚川市 (the excavation point for the National Stone of Japan, Jadeite) for years and am working on a book titled, Magatama. Below is my story of the Blessed Holidays, from the Silver Pavilion, to spending midnight, January 1st at the Onmyōdō shrine, (Abe no Seimei 安倍晴明) ~ built on the location of Abe’s house at the time of Imperial Fortunes … to many exquisite locations, creations and improvisations. Please enjoy Magic Winter in Japan and its companion hardcover, Magic Summer in Japan (previously released).

Blessed Be and Blessings for the Good Within,
~ Sir Mikhail Tank


Unlike its predecessor, Japan truly respects and practices Majick as a whole and protects its culture completely. New thinking which disrupts or destroys the ways of the magic are neutralized, as they should be. This exquisite journey will take the reader into places unknown to many, filled with multi layered lore and spiritual power, which is usually internalized and used as effective cultural-spiritual fuel, not for show or aggression.
The Imperial Family, its symbols and symbology provide a ground work of peace, hope, inspiration, cultural and personal high standards and an ancestral lineage starting from the myth-goddess, Amaterasu, direct ancestor of the first Emperor. The lineage is the longest continuous one in the world, and owes much to the brilliant formation of the creation myth, noted in the Kojiki. On my blessed Birthday, December 30th, I acquired an antique version of the Kojiki and hold it dear (not at home). The Magatama, my favorite jewel, also the Imperial Jewel of Japan is made of Itoigawa Jadeite, the National Stone. I have a collection of these and a book in the works about them, the Magatama is the most sacred item in Japan, along with the Ise Mirror and Kusanagi no Tsurugi Sword. The Magatama was the key to Amaterasu leaving the darkened cave, the main reason for the completion of a large fight that occurred much later, and the spiritual home of her Soul-dwelling.


When I visit an Imperial or Spiritual place, I don’t just take photographs, I take Soul-photographs, and I absorb the spiritual DNA, the Omamori I collect are not souvenirs, they are focused Majickal charms … just as they are for the Japanese people, they are part of the great Majick that the Japanese people both consciously and collectively practice.

My trip began with a Birth tie-in, by visiting my favorite art brand of all time, Fabergé at Daimaru in Kyoto — Fabergé is from my city of birth, and I have interviewed the late Tatiana Fabergé, Prince Dimitri Romanov, and Archduke Géza von Habsburg for my show, The Archetypal Mosaic (circa 2017). Holding some of the recent creations and bringing one from my collection, to show the local curators, created a heightened bond, an energy that allowed for a birth connection on this Birthday trip, an energy tunnel into the past, a subjective spiritual green light.

On the morning after December 25th, I wrote and published  a version of this post: Still waking up, but yesterday was a great first day, I briefly met and was welcomed by Norika Fujiwara at Kyōto Shijo Minami-za, an actor, model, former Miss Nippon, and current wife of the leading Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke ~ whom I watched in the last show of the season, stopped by the only Fabergé store in Asia, saw the new pendants and shared with them, my collection piece from many years ago ~ they truly adored it, Sugoi. Got a men’s Japanese black comb made of local wood, a miniature figurine of the eight wise elders and visited one of the magic shrines which heals the eyes.

Stopped by the exclusive Geisha Tea House (Ichiriki), and got a mask of the Kitsune, the symbol of my Birthday prose duet poem.
Love, Mt  Accompanying photos below …

The Magic Eye Temple in Gion is called Chugenji (Miami Jizo) and is related to the white Omamori (shown). It has a supreme and old mirror.

About the final Minami-za performance of the season, from the official program:

“TOSHIMA ['A Woman in her Prime’]
CAST: Oryū (Nakamura Tokizō)

STORY :
This is a dance originally from a group of genre dances entitled 'Hanagoyomi Iro no Showake' in 1839. A former geisha arrives in a palanquin along the riverbank. She describes a former love affair in her dance. The word 'toshima' means a woman past the blush of youth and now at the height of her mature charm.

Intermission: 25 minutes
Performance Time:
6:45 PM - 8:30 PM

ONNA GOROSHI ABURA NO JIGOKU
['The Woman Killer and the Hell of Oil']
CAST :
Kawachiya Yohē
Kataoka Ainosuke
Teshimaya Shichizaemon
Kataoka Shinnosuke
Kogiku, a geisha
Nakamura Kazutarō
Oguri Hachiya
Nakamura Takanosuke
Okachi, Yohē's sister
Kataoka Sennosuke
Osawa, Yohē's mother
Nakamura Baika
Kohē, an agent of money lender
Ichimura Kitsutarō
Yamamoto Moriemon
Kataoka Matsunosuke
Kawachiya Tokubē
Arashi Kitsusaburō
Tahē, Yohē's brother
Nakamura Kikaku
Okichi, Shichizaemon's wife
And Kataoka Takatarō"

December 26th … Majick Day

First stop was at the majick shrine, Yasui Konpira-gu, where one crawls through a rather small hole in a not too large stone sculpture, embellished by prayers, wishes and writings of patrons. The majick process herein is to banish all unwanted ties which are tied to the Self. For me, it’s tacky questions and comments, which lower my natural majick energy. As it was cold and I had a thick winter coat, it was rather funny and some of the locals laughed along with me as I crawled through, cheering me on and clapping after I got up. I do have the whole video available and a portion on my social media @mikhailtank.

Some screen-captures from the video below.

Next stop, Rokudochinno-ji Temple, the crossroads of the underworld, where spirits would either choose or be sent to their following destinations ... this of course depends on the Power of The Soul. There are distinct orange and white structures, a garden of stone sculptures, several monuments of prayer and the image of Enma, ruler of the underworld in multiple variations.

The black Omamori shown relates to this powerful locale, along with the dark lotus seed to shine the way in the tunnel after life.

Stop three was the ghostly candy store, which has been in existence for roughly five centuries. Minatoya -- they only sell one type of candy (at least during the time I was there). It’s 500 yen (around 4 USD) for a rather large see-through package. It tastes like sugar, the color is a dark caramel, and it relates to a myth about a ghost lady who came to enjoy the candy yet lived under the Earth. It is a fascinating and lovely location. Across the street is my favorite cafe, Sagan, where they serve fresh muffins, bread and great breakfast with orange (not yellow) egg-yolks, meaning the best! And amazing hot cocoa, my favorite.


Stop four -- the Abe no Seimei Shrine, wherein I met the Onmyōji, who charted my fortunes on a paper using an old book and his personal knowledge. Here is my brief fortune on paper, although My Soul is the Master of my True Fortune. I extensively visited this shrine in my previous book, Magic Summer in Japan and had an extraordinary experience for the New Year, starting midnight on January 1st (later in this book).

Rubbing the magic peach

Stop five, Happy Jack Records, a record store in Kyoto, where I gifted one of my compilation digipacks, Darksoul Theatre -- it was played in the store by the lovely shop-keeper.

December 27th … Imperial Day

The day started off at Ippodo Tea House. Ippodo was built in 1717 and is still run by the same family, which is so very beautiful. The matcha served there varies, and one can order an espresso-matcha, which looks like beautiful green food paint. The seating, establishment and personnel are high end. This is a definite experience worth enjoying if you like Matcha, and perfectly maintained ancient tea houses. Please make sure you’re not allergic before trying.

As the magic flow would have it, a bakery nearby, focusing on Birthday cakes had a three day pre-order system. It was exactly 3 days till my Birthday, and so I ordered a small strawberry cake with a light inscription. This bakery is called Kineel, and they do an excellent job.

A short walk from there is the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Kyoto Gyoen, which I visited first, followed by a reserved private tour of the Sento Palace (my favorite and still an official royal residence at certain times of the year). Both have Imperial gift shops, and in them are very beautiful items, including a fan with a 瑞鳥 Zuicho Bird, a Gold Japanese Phoenix Creature which instead of the long tailed Chinese version, has a longer neck, shorter tail and a more focused, regal manner. Made in Japan Goshuin-Cho books, known as stamp books are exclusive and specific to location, and so beautifully made, that I utilize them as Books of Shadows, writing in them ~ thoughts, reflections and majickal incantations. The Kyoto Gyoen Palace was built in 794 and restructured many times afterwards. It is an exquisite and inspiring location.

The Sento Palace is my favorite place, I wrote about it in Magic Summer in Japan, and visited here again in the winter. It has such a peaceful, soulful element, yet completely humble with zero pretense. It is my Soul’s wish to live in such a place.
Lunch in the imperial park between the palaces was very elegantly served via a carriage like dinner box-wear, featuring local chicken and other delicious items. There were two layers of food in this box set(o). I also purchased a small bottle of Imperial Sake for the New Year.

December 28th … Dragon Art Day

First stop, Kennin-ji, the elegant Temple in Gion, featuring Japanese dragons. My favorite works are by Kaiho Yusho and Koizumi Junsaku. It was amazing to see the dragons in creative action. Several of these are the same ones that appear on the extraordinary Yohji Yamamoto overcoat which I am wearing on the cover art of my upcoming multi-media record, Rhythm of Appreciation. I adore the works of these three super-masters.

There is an amazing stone sculpture in the garden area and it resembles a giant stone mirror. I took a video there of some Majick at work, here is a simple screenshot.

Japanese Gold sold in the old way

The Koi of Luck

December 29th … Gio-ji and Daikaku-ji

Gio-ji Temple and Daikaku-ji temple are not too far apart in the Sagano area of Kyoto, and one can purchase a ticket to visit both locations for a nominal price. Gio-ji is an exceptionally charming place covered in moss, similar to Saiho-ji (which is featured in my Magic Summer book), this one is smaller yet truly is a Wish Garden. Along the road to Daikaku-ji, is a charming restaurant called Cafe Sagano where I had lunch, also there are wonderful craft stores in the vicinity featuring works made from local bamboo, miniature Kitsune and other folk creatures, inkan, matcha tea whisks, and many unique creations.

Along the road to get to Daikaku-ji, is a somewhat dark temple, Seiryo-ji (Yuzu Nembutsu) .. there, I made a special blessing for a dear friend and sent it via video for their well-being.

Daikaku-ji is the epitome of excellence. A temple not to be missed. Once the Imperial residence of Emperor Saga, it is now open to the public. There, one can get a miniature sword Omamori, an incredible purple dragon Goshuin-Cho, which resembles the dragon boats in the back palace pond-lake, and  there is space to truly meditate and create Blessings and other Majick. There is a peaceful aristocratic air, a beautiful store and a lot of living, breathing Elegance.

On the eve of my Birthday, I stopped by and got a Sun / Moon carved Magatama at Gion Ishi and took a ritualistic bath at a nearby Sento.

December 30th … Birth Day

When midnight came, my new single Kitsune / Белая Лиса was released, a duet poem that I spontaneously wrote and recorded with my Mom via phone. In Japanese Majick, the Kitsune is the Mother of the Mag(ician). And my Mom’s nickname was always Lisa (Fox). Thus it was fitting in both natural and archetypal ways, that we create this together, and that I, with her permission, released it on my Birthday, so that Mom’s voice in a tone with which she spoke to me as a child, is available wherever I am at all times. I am truly grateful for this release.

Along with the track, I released a Birthday Grateful letter, here is is.

I also wrote two soul-writings. My Blue Bird, about my Dearest Grand-Mother Sophia, which had to be written only on my Birthday, when the energy is naturally heightened and diamond-like. The second one is at the completion of this book.

Upon waking, I had lunch at The Fortune Garden, an excellent lunch spot in Kyoto, picked up my Birthday cake and met friends for tea. Stopped by the Sho-gakudo book store and held in my palms, antique versions of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki.
Next stop, Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Temple -- where I took the cover picture of this book, my favorite image from the trip. The temple looks like a house of the old Rus-folk character, Baba Yaga, yet it is not haunting, but delightful and peaceful. Both the ceilings of the temple and the ground stones resemble the color of dark silver when the sun shines upon them, this truly is a miraculous place.
I purchased a locally made brocade mask and went to the nearby private Honen-in Temple. The bells tolled at 4 o’clock and I spontaneously recorded a short Blessing / meditation, titled just that. It is available via The Archetypal Mosaic and my website as a complimentary download (as of the publishing date of this book). Nothing was pre-planned about this short recording and the bells accented certain phrases naturally. This location is exquisite. And there is room, space and the right energy for majick rituals and meditation.

December 31st … New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve started with a trip to a Kimono shop in Gion, where I tried on an Oni mask and got myself a very reasonably priced made in Kyoto silver men’s warm Kimon-jacket. Enjoyed muffins at the Sagan cafe, helped some tourists out with great places to visit, had tea at the Gion Ishi tea room (above the Magatama shop, same business entity), took a ritual bath and visited Tower Records, where I purchased a symbolic version of Sade’s Love Deluxe, a record I find and purchase at every one of the most precious trips I go on. It is my second favorite album and one that always soothes my Soul. The first being by Irina Allegrova. In the evening, some Imperial sake, a Kitsune themed look and a trip to the Abe no Seimei Majick Shrine for the midnight Opening of the Gates. A Shiba Inu walked by the entrance before the gates opened ~ which was a great omen, for in the old fables, Abe’s mother was a Kitsune (a nine tailed fox). I shot a video of the opening of the New Year’s ceremony which can be seen via my YouTube and Vimeo channels. It is the only time of the year the shrine is open at midnight and the experience, so filled with people who believe in Majick while the moon perfectly lit the New Year Sky ... was ideal. The temperature, the warmest night of the week and there was so much good-will in the air, so much pure non-dogmatic faith, that it was a perfect Start.

January 1st … The Golden Day

January 1st was a Day of Gold. First, Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺 Rokuon-ji) the Golden Pavilion, and after, a meal worth more than three Michelin Stars … Osechi Ryori (御節料理) at Tempura Endo in Gion. It included exceptional delicacies in a 12-15 course presentation, including caviar, gold covered beans, tiny sparkling fish, black truffle tempura, and so much more, completed with a grapefruit dessert. Each item of the first course, consisted of foods which symbolize the best possible wishes for the New coming Year.

This meal can only be had one time per year and to have it in Gion, at Tempura Endo was beyond my wishes.

At the Golden Pavilion, a few hours prior, I had matcha tea, created a New Year’s Blessing, got an incredibly beautiful Zuicho Book of Shadows, a Green Calligraphy New Year’s Stamp and enjoyed an uplifting 3-way call with my Parents, Blessed Be They.

A big thank you to the people I love in my Birthday Letter, as well as to Majick and Y.A.

Stay inspired and know that Majick can give you a personal freedom that is not available in restricted thought variants of faith.

Much Love,

Mikhail Tank

Basking in Love

Today is my Birthday, a Blessed Day and I’m basking in Love like a turtle sun-shing. Ever so grateful for the correct love near and the incorrect far. Hand chosen with care ~ are those that truly care. And to each and every one, I say, Thank You with Love! Mt