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Confession of Japanese Penitents
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Confession of Japanese Penitents
Confession of Japanese penitents ( a person repenting their sins). If the penitents fail to make a proper confession, the priest causes the balance to project them down the mountainside. Date: 1844
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Media ID 23090174
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1844 Balance Buddhism Buddhist Catapult Choice Confession Danger Fate Human Lever Mountainside Penitents Priest Priests Risk Rocks Sacrifice Sins Confess Repent
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This evocative image captures the intense moment of confession in 19th century Japan. The scene takes place at a Buddhist temple, where penitents come to seek forgiveness for their sins. In this traditional ritual, the penitents stand before a priest and a precarious balance, their fate hanging in the balance. The priest, with a solemn expression, holds a long lever that tips the scale. If the penitent's confession is deemed insufficient, the balance tips, and the person is sent plummeting down the mountainside, often to their death. The ritual of confession was an essential part of Japanese Buddhism, serving as a means of purification and spiritual renewal. However, the risks involved were not to be taken lightly. The penitents, dressed in simple robes, face the mountainous terrain with a mixture of fear, determination, and hope. The steep cliffside looms ominously in the background, a constant reminder of the stakes. The human element in this photograph is striking. The penitents' expressions reveal a range of emotions, from deep contrition to resolve. The priest, too, is a human being, tasked with the heavy responsibility of determining the penitents' worthiness for forgiveness. The balance, a simple yet powerful symbol of justice and fate, adds to the drama and tension of the scene. This photograph offers a unique glimpse into the religious practices of 19th century Japan, a time when the country was undergoing significant cultural and societal changes. It also highlights the human capacity for sacrifice, choice, and the desire for spiritual growth, even in the face of danger and uncertainty.
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