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INTEREST: New Akihabara Shrine Seeks Miko to Perform Figurine Memorial Services


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Souther



Joined: 22 Feb 2015
Posts: 603
PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 7:24 am Reply with quote
Not surprising, considering they've had real-life funeral services for characters haha.
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vanfanel



Joined: 26 Dec 2008
Posts: 1243
PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 4:36 pm Reply with quote
Shinto shrines do hold services for inanimate objects such as rugs, plates, and other household items that have worn out, broken, or are just being replaced. It's sort of like saying "thank you for your long service" to the items.

Anyway, something to keep in mind if Pixar ever wants to make a Toy Story sequel set in Japan... (They did what to Pikachu?!)
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leafy sea dragon



Joined: 27 Oct 2009
Posts: 7163
Location: Another Kingdom
PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 7:48 pm Reply with quote
EricJ2 wrote:
I'm just wondering whether Japanese otaku actually DO get as emotionally attached as popular marketing stereotypes say they do.

I just don't get the impression that real J-otaku have gone to actual shrines to have figurine memorials and been turned away, or at least enough to support it as a profitable sideline.


There must be at least one person crazy enough to do such a thing and do it loudly and in public. One person is all it takes to give mainstream impressions like that.
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hyojodoji



Joined: 08 Jan 2010
Posts: 585
PostPosted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:48 am Reply with quote
In Japan, there is a religious/folkloric custom where shrines and temples hold memorial services for dolls in the first place.
Some people think that a doll can have a kind of spirit, and even when people are not religious to that level, it is probable that they want to say, 'Thank you, and goodbye' to their dolls in a sincere and somewhat religious manner. So such ceremonies are held.
So Akibahara Jinja's holding memorial services for figures is probably an otaku cultural version of this custom.
　
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