Masako and I went to visit the cemetery where her grandmother and grandfather have their marker stones.
In Japan, you must by law be cremated (space considerations). Most of the ashes are then held by the family in the family shrine, where observances are held throughout the year. The marker stones shown here are the physical, public monument. In the Buddhist tradition, when you pass away you are given a new name… thus, it can be hard to find a person’s grave site unless you know what their new name is.
Here’s the little country road that leads past the cemetary. Masako’s grandparents’ house still stands nearby, though no one lives there now.
More to come soon. Thanks for checking back!
