Do you visit cemeteries? Do you avoid them? “Why?”
We can learn so much about the beauty of cemeteries by amazing local guides like @AGARIFULIN who did an excellent piece on Unknown Soldiers Graves
Then there is the excellent Soviet Tomb of the Unknown written by @TheEagleEye
Another favorite of mine is The Sacred Graves of Ireland by @hossamhamad
And then, who’d ever thought where to find the grave of the late William Shakespeare ? Thanks to @AliHusnain1
In Japan cemeteries are not only places of quiet introspection and death, but also places where life is celebrated with the first arrivals of cherry blossoms in Spring. The morning dew rolling off the tip of a lonely cherry blossom pedal that falls on a headstone. Beauty in Death amongst the chorus of chirping birds. Over a thousand cherry trees infused with souls bloom at Tama Reien.
The largest cemetery in Japan is also one of the biggest natural preserves in Tokyo! A place for sleeping souls. Tama Reien is one of the most hallowed and sacred places. A place to find solace. Over 60 of the most influential people in Japanese history are interred here! Politicians, war generals, producers, writers, authors, and prime ministers.
The purpose for my visit was to visit a headstone of the late Mishima Yukio, one of the most prolific play writes and authors of the 20th Century. Since my visit was timed in November, to coincide with the day he committed suicide through ritual disembowelment, there were no cherry blossoms.
The name Mishima Yukio is just a pen name, his real name is Kimitake Hiraoka and he is interred under Hiraoka family tomb. Of course, there are no actual physical bodies here, just tombstone honoring his legacy. Most families keep the ashes in an urn at their homes in a mini alter.
Mishima Yukio delved in themes of suicidal glory whose works were praised at the Cambridge University 50 years ago. Visiting this amazing cemetery I was able to reflect on his body of works and derive meaning in the great scheme of life and death, age and decrepitude.
Japanese cemeteries are full of history by many unknown greats. If you visit a cemetery in Japan, I recommend coming in Spring.