Paper shaking and some sake for the gods...

In a little over two weeks the foundation will be put in, but before that we have to follow a time honored tradition in Japan. The paper shaking ceremony! While not actually called that in Japan, it is the first thought that pops into the head of anyone not born and raised here. Before I can cut down any trees and before any construction can start, we must ask the gods of the soil for a get out of jail free card. 

Despite the lack of a stifling belief in religion, Japanese people still honor certain Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies. My wife still pretends to be out of the house when the Jehovah Witnesses stop by (Yes, they really are everywhere. And no, despite their convincing arguments based on the complexity of a tree frog's elbow joint, I have yet to be swayed to a belief in creationism), but she would not let construction begin without the ceremony taking place. 

In line with this tradition we signed the contract with our architect on the 30th of May (a good day for contracting) and the ceremony will take place on the 4th of June (the luckiest day for starting a new venture at this time of the year). So all in all, we have done pretty well. I am half expecting the house to magically throw itself together, but at least if we run into any problems I can hold my hands up and blame it on the Shinto priest.

The ceremony basically involves the priest chanting the address of our property, our names, and a plea to the gods to not strike us down with volcanic eruptions or a shortage of nails. Then a stick with some paper tied to it is shaken over our heads, some sake is poured on the ground, and the gods move on to smite some other aspiring home owner.

Wish us luck.