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Takeshi Nishide
For Takeshi Nishide's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 2, 2015
Shinto priest advocates 'prayer and care' education at Kyoto nursery school
A Shinto priest in charge of a Kyoto nursery school is taking an unconventional approach to early education, seeking to "see what cannot be seen" in children to help nurture their development.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 27, 2014
Hospice care providers learn lessons from dying patients
The experience of standing by her father's deathbed prompted Jito Sasaki to quit her university job and become a Buddhist nun devoted to hospice care and the emotional and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 22, 2014
After years spent chasing money, workaholic answers Buddhist call
A workaholic-turned Buddhist priest is using his sense of humor to support the aged, according to Buddhist teachings that call on believers to help reduce suffering caused by the four immutable facts of human life — birth, aging, illness and death.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Oct 7, 2014
Bell tolls for traditional funerals as new sects put their spin on Buddhist rites
Japanese funerals are traditionally overseen by a Buddhist priest at the deceased's village temple. But people drifting to the cities are increasingly looking for alternatives as ties to their ancestral home loosen.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 5, 2014
Priestly pair set out to boost 'Buddhism 3.0' across Japan
A pair of Zen priests have been causing a stir with their campaign to spread a new interpretation of Buddhism in Japan that combines practices from separate branches of the ancient religion.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 27, 2014
Monk offers a taste of religion to young minds
Gashin Tomomitsu, a 30-year-old Buddhist monk, has organized unique spiritual and cultural events over the past four years, attracting young people who would otherwise have little religious interaction in their daily lives.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 21, 2014
Taiwan leads Asia in spiritual care to alleviate fear of death
Taiwan is a leader in Asia in spiritual care, integrating medicine and religion to ease the fear of death for terminally ill patients.
JAPAN
May 2, 2014
'64 start of trips abroad fostered peace: JATA exec
A travel agency executive who has spent half a century going abroad believes overseas trips and people-level exchanges help build understanding of the importance of world peace.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Mar 6, 2014
Women's entry into Shinto priesthood is on the rise
Women are entering another traditional, male-dominated field in Japan — the Shinto priesthood — at a slow but steadily increasing pace.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2014
Spreading Buddhism via old-style storytelling
In an effort to broaden the understanding of Buddhism among the lay population, some followers are using a traditional form of Japanese storytelling as a teaching tool.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Dec 4, 2013
Funeral gripes fuel Buddhist rethink
An increasing number of Buddhist priests are re-evaluating funeral services amid rapidly changing attitudes over the way they are conducted.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 27, 2013
Yoga practitioners moving to the next level
There is a "natural" convergence among yoga practitioners in Japan: Those who have practiced it primarily for slimming or health are becoming more interested in its spiritual aspects, while those who have approached it as a philosophy are more actively engaging in physical exercise, according to an experienced yoga instructor.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2013
Priests take up pen to stop suicides
To help turn the tide against suicide, a volunteer group of Buddhist priests, both men and women, writes letters to distraught people to help keep them from taking their own lives.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2013
Shinto priest blazes trail as a community activist
In these challenging times, Shinto priests can't afford to confine themselves to the quiet and peace of their shrines.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 29, 2013
Remote resting place: Islet a site for ash scattering
Kazura Island in the Sea of Japan is attracting interest from people looking for an alternative to ash interment, as the uninhabited islet has become a dedicated site for ash scattering.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 15, 2013
Catholic priests mixing meditation, music of Bach to find inner peace
A unique weekend session combining meditation and the music of Bach was held last month at a Catholic church in Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 27, 2013
Temples seek tighter community ties
A new generation of Buddhist priests is working closely with ordinary people to regenerate communities as population shrinkage threatens the future of their temples.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 28, 2013
Christian school trains farming leaders
A Christian academy in the countryside is seeking to improve the quality of life in poor farming villages in Asia and Africa by giving new generations of community leaders the latest agricultural skills and knowledge.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2013
Matchmaking priests bring couples together, help temples prosper
A growing number of Buddhist temples have been capitalizing on the nation's recent matchmaking boom.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Feb 6, 2013
Buddhist volunteers reaching out to the homeless of Tokyo
On a morning in January, female volunteers went to Tokyo's Yoyogi Park to feed and attend to the needs of the homeless.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world