Rakusu at formal occasions

[Guest]

In October my wife’s family will be holding a memorial service for their parents and other passed family members. I spoke to my mother in law and she said that it’s a suit and tie affair in the family temple (Jodo Shu), and that I should wear a Rakusu and bring a set of beads.

Perhaps I’m overthinking it, but I’m wondering if our hand made Rakusu would be sufficiently smart for a formal affair? I love my Rakusu, especially its slightly ‘rustic’ appearance, but I can’t help thinking that it might not quite be up to dress standards, and I don’t want to give the wrong impression.

Perhaps Jundo, or others who have had similar experiences can offer advice?

Sattday,
Gassho
Myojin

[Jundo]

In October my wife’s family will be holding a memorial service for their parents and other passed family members. I spoke to my mother in law and she said that it’s a suit and tie affair in the family temple (Jodo Shu), and that I should wear a Rakusu and bring a set of beads.

Perhaps I’m overthinking it, but I’m wondering if our hand made Rakusu would be sufficiently smart for a formal affair? I love my Rakusu, especially its slightly ‘rustic’ appearance, but I can’t help thinking that it might not quite be up to dress standards, and I don’t want to give the wrong impression.

Perhaps Jundo, or others who have had similar experiences can offer advice?

Sattday,
Gassho
Myojin

Hi Myojin,

If it is acceptable and welcome by the family members, then the Rakusu is perfectly appropriate. For funerals and like events, what matters most is the relatives' feelings and acceptance. Always keep your in-laws happy!

Of course, it is a Jodo Shu (Pure Land) temple, but I see no reason why any priest there would object either. And the Rakusu is the most "formal" garment in the universe!

And even when and where some might object (e.g., with a less open minded family, in a work place, etc.) it is also fine just to wear the Rakusu invisibly, in one's heart alone. That can be done timelessly, 24/7/365.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Guest]

Hi Myojin,

If it is acceptable and welcome by the family members, then the Rakusu is perfectly appropriate. For funerals and like events, what matters most is the relatives' feelings and acceptance. Always keep your in-laws happy!

Of course, it is a Jodo Shu (Pure Land) temple, but I see no reason why any priest there would object either. And the Rakusu is the most "formal" garment in the universe!

And even when and where some might object (e.g., with a less open minded family, in a work place, etc.) it is also fine just to wear the Rakusu invisibly, in one's heart alone. That can be done timelessly, 24/7/365.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

Agreed, keeping the in-laws happy is priceless.

My mother in law said to wear the rakusu, so that’s the correct course of action.

I suppose my concern was largely secular, whether my hand made rakusu would be suitable for a formal occasion. I know that a lot of Soto shu places prefer the bought ones. At a Jodo shu temple perhaps it doesn’t matter.

Gassho

Myojin

[Jundo]

... . I know that a lot of Soto shu places prefer the bought ones. At a Jodo shu temple perhaps it doesn’t matter.

Gassho

Myojin

I doubt that any Soto-shu temple, even if they do not themselves follow the Nyoho-e sewing tradition, would object in any way to a lay visitor wearing a hand sewn Rakusu. I think that, quite the contrary, they would appreciate it.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Jundo]

PS - The non-Nyoho-e Soto places would likely object, however, to a lay person wearing a full Kesa, which is only Nyoho-e tradition.

[Guest]

PS - The non-Nyoho-e Soto places would likely object, however, to a lay person wearing a full Kesa, which is only Nyoho-e tradition.

Naturally, I wasn’t even considering that. 🤣
Gassho
Myojin

[Byokan]

Pardon me for chiming in, but I think the question was actually whether our hand-sewn Rakusu is too humble for a formal occasion, or whether Myojin should opt for a fancier, nicer looking store-bought Rakusu?

My opinion, which may be wrong because I know absolutely nothing about these customs, is that your handmade Rakusu, with all your blood, sweat, and tears in it, with all your heart and dedicated practice in it, having been worn by the Buddha Himself (you) in full enlightenment, is every bit as good or better than any "dressier" one.

But nothing wrong with wearing a fancy-schmancy one if you have one; Jundo has fancier kesa that he wears sometimes for special occasions.

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

[Bion]

In October my wife’s family will be holding a memorial service for their parents and other passed family members. I spoke to my mother in law and she said that it’s a suit and tie affair in the family temple (Jodo Shu), and that I should wear a Rakusu and bring a set of beads.

Perhaps I’m overthinking it, but I’m wondering if our hand made Rakusu would be sufficiently smart for a formal affair? I love my Rakusu, especially its slightly ‘rustic’ appearance, but I can’t help thinking that it might not quite be up to dress standards, and I don’t want to give the wrong impression.

Perhaps Jundo, or others who have had similar experiences can offer advice?

Sattday,
Gassho
Myojin

There is much respect for, though maybe not as much understanding of the Nyohoe robes. You’ll be just fine should you choose to wear it.

Gassho
Sat and lah

[Jundo]

But nothing wrong with wearing a fancy-schmancy one if you have one; Jundo has fancier kesa that he wears sometimes for special occasions.

For clarification, I have no fancier robes. You are thinking of the Funzo-e, rag based Nyoho-e that was gifted by Taigu. It is made of recycled fabric from Kimono resewn, and is Nyoho-e style.

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I do have a standard Soto-shu style, but I rarely wear that. I have at Rohatsu recently for the first sitting. I would not consider that fancy either, just a standard Soto-shu style. It is similar to the one that Nishijima Roshi wears here ...

517P-KOlpXL.jpg

We generally avoid store bought Rakusu in this Sangha, although I have two that were gifted to me.

Gassho, Jundo

[Byokan]

For clarification, I have no fancier robes. You are thinking of the Funzo-e, rag based Nyoho-e that was gifted by Taigu. It is made of recycled fabric from Kimono resewn, and is Nyoho-e style.

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Oh yes! That is what I was thinking of.

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

[Guest]

Pardon me for chiming in, but I think the question was actually whether our hand-sewn Rakusu is too humble for a formal occasion, or whether Myojin should opt for a fancier, nicer looking store-bought Rakusu?

My opinion, which may be wrong because I know absolutely nothing about these customs, is that your handmade Rakusu, with all your blood, sweat, and tears in it, with all your heart and dedicated practice in it, having been worn by the Buddha Himself (you) in full enlightenment, is every bit as good or better than any "dressier" one.

But nothing wrong with wearing a fancy-schmancy one if you have one; Jundo has fancier kesa that he wears sometimes for special occasions.

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

Hi Byokan

That is essentially the point, since most people won’t know a nyoho-e rakusu outside the tradition, the hand made tailoring may be what stands out to the uninitiated, although my mother in law does know that I sew robes.

Of course she said to wear a Rakusu, and I figured that Jundo, having been here 4 times longer than me, would probably have run into such situations.

I'm also very aware (and here is where concern creeps in), that formal occasions in Japan don’t leave much margin for error, so I felt clarification was important. Since a tailored Rakusu could be an option (albeit expensive and it wouldn’t have the calligraphy backing), it might have been better to err on the side of caution and have one for just such eventualities, which are at least annual occurrences.

Not wearing the physical Rakusu is also an option, but I feel that if I can I really should wear it, and really want to do so since the point of keeping and maintaining the robe is to wear it.

I’ll not overthink it anyway, if people say it’s fine then it’s fine.

Gassho
Myojin

[Byokan]

Hello again,

I just went and looked at your Rakusu on the sewing threads. It's gorgeous!! The stitching is very nice. Give it a light ironing if it needs, and I think you'll fit right in, anywhere.

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

[Shinshi]

Hi Byokan

That is essentially the point, since most people won’t know a nyoho-e rakusu outside the tradition, the hand made tailoring may be what stands out to the uninitiated, although my mother in law does know that I sew robes.

Of course she said to wear a Rakusu, and I figured that Jundo, having been here 4 times longer than me, would probably have run into such situations.

I'm also very aware (and here is where concern creeps in), that formal occasions in Japan don’t leave much margin for error, so I felt clarification was important. Since a tailored Rakusu could be an option (albeit expensive and it wouldn’t have the calligraphy backing), it might have been better to err on the side of caution and have one for just such eventualities, which are at least annual occurrences.

Not wearing the physical Rakusu is also an option, but I feel that if I can I really should wear it, and really want to do so since the point of keeping and maintaining the robe is to wear it.

I’ll not overthink it anyway, if people say it’s fine then it’s fine.

Gassho
Myojin

Think about it this way. If being seen in a hand sewn rakusu was good enough for Kodo Sawaki, then you probably shouldn't worry about it.

Gassho,

Shinshi

[Guest]

Think about it this way. If being seen in a hand sewn rakusu was good enough for Kodo Sawaki, then you probably shouldn't worry about it.

Gassho,

Shinshi

To be honest it’s really not about me. I really like the hand sewn rakusu, the principles behind it really resonate and I hope to sew more in future.

It’s much more about the social aspect of giving due respect to propriety at a formal event honouring my wife and sons ancestors, and not scandalizing the family in the process, given the contrast between suits and ties and the clearly hand made rakusu.

Still, I’m leaning in the direction of simply giving the rakusu an iron and thinking no more of it since I asked and the response was positive.

Gassho
Myojin

[Byokan]

One thing I know is that I know nothing about the formal customs there. I understand the anxiety and not wanting to appear disrespectful. Luckily it's not some complicated thing you have to do, or perform, it's just what you're wearing, so I think you'll be fine. When navigating in unfamiliar social terrain, it's exactly your attitude of careful respect that will get you through!

Social advice from a socially inept bumbler. Take it for what it's worth! $00.02

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

p.s.
Plan B: button up your jacket and hide everything.