A large number of dolls to be offered were lined up in a section of the Bushu Kakio Kotohira Shrine

Dolls offered at Bushu Kakio Kotohira Jinja Shrine — Dolls to be offered for memorial services

According to anatomist Takeshi Yoro, "Japanese people believe that things have a soul and tend to see things like friends who have lived together." For this reason, since ancient times, people have not only discarded items they no longer need but have also burned them after making offerings to the deceased. Originally, "offering" meant to present offerings to the Buddha out of respect, but in Japan, the concept has been expanded to include inanimate objects as well. This may be part of animism.

At Kotohira Jinja Shrine in Kawasaki, a Ningyo Kuyo (memorial service for dolls) is held to thank and console the dolls that have watched over us as we have grown up. When I visited the shrine, it seemed to be right around the time of the ceremony, and many dolls were quietly waiting to be burned in a corner of the shrine grounds. Each of the dolls, which were randomly arranged in a row, was looking at the sky, and it was a little scary to see them. Perhaps it is because they have eyes and noses. Looking at the dolls, which looked as if they wanted to say something, I could understand why many people think that they will be cursed if they are discarded without a memorial service.

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