Aristocratic Life

Asian History Japan

Daily Observance, Last Testament of Fujiwara Morosuke, c960

When you arise in the morning chant seven times the name of the star for the year. Next look at yourself in a mirror. Next consult the calendar to know the fortune for the day. Next use your toothpick and face west to wash your hands. Next chant the name of the Buddha. At the same time you may also chant the names of those Shinto shrines to which you are affiliated. Next make your diary entry for yesterday. Next eat your rice-gruel [for breakfast]. Next set your hair (once every three days, not every day). Next cut your finger and toe nails (cut your finger nails on the day of the ox and your toe nails on the day of the tiger). Then select a day to bathe (once every five days). You must consult the fortune before bathing. (It is said in the Biography of the Yellow Emperor that bathing on the first day of the month results in a shortened life. Bathing on the eighth day brings about longevity. Bathing on the eleventh day helps your eyesight, and bathing on the eighteenth day causes suffering from bandits. Bathing on the day of the horse results in the loss of love and respect, and bathing on the day of the boar brings shame. Do not bathe on bad days. The bad days are, the days of the tiger, dragon, horse and dog, and the day when the star of the long-nosed goblin comes down to earth to eat the food of the human beings). Next, if you have to go to your office, put your cap and robe on....

When children are grown to the point of knowing what is going on around them, they must be taught to read the classics and important books written by the sages of old. This is done in the morning which is followed by the practice of calligraphy. They may be allowed to play afterwards. They are strictly forbidden to engage in falconry or gambling. After coming of age, and before entering their careers with the government, do likewise. However, all of you are advised to select at an early age your main object of worship (honzon). Wash your hands in the water drawn in a wash basin, chant the name of the Buddha who is your main object of worship or chant the miraculous words of the Shingon (True Words, the sect propagated by Kukai). As to the frequency of this form of worship, use your own discretion. However, if you do not believe, your lives are likely to be cut short, as demonstrated by many former examples.... Retain the services of monks who are good believers, pure in spirit and endowed with wisdom. Converse with them when occasion permits. This will not only help you in this world but also create good karmic conditions for future lives....