Many people check it in the face and / or head. Not because it will do if you become smarter or something more spiritual (in plan purifying your spirit or something like that).

When was the OMIZUTORI in Nara, the entire temple was converted into a KOURO was spectacular to see everyone queue to catch the smoke will give them the ashes of fortune Nigatsudo garden:
http://flapyinjapan.blogspot.com/2007/03/omizutori.html

See if you can come at the end of the KDD!

The smoke of passing through the head, I do that I have heard it is to become smarter. In fact, in Japanese "being smart" is said to literally "have a good head."

Very good idea of ​​the post. There are a million things like that. Let's see if we all leave everything more or less documented.

One question: the "kouro" find it in Shinto and Buddhist temples? or both?

Man, is to purify themselves before entering a sacred place. What happens is that as the end all that is holy is trivialized, for that: to throw smoke to see if I become smarter and more handsome. Anyway ...

It is very curious subject lie east of the smoke in his face. The first time I was in Tokyo I was quite surprised that everyone approached the Kuoro for "covered" with this smoke.

Ams I saw something like this in a documentary about Japan, I thought that the man put his hands on this because it was night and from cold to warm XD, thanks to this clear to me.

Regards

About the smoke "kouro" ...

I do not know if as said ale / cucumber so I can make more or less documented, but I'll put what.

Is as he said Ángel (Angel what you know!)

The true meaning filled with the smoke of incense sticks is to purify themselves before entering the 本 堂 (ほんどう → hondou), ie, the main hall of the Buddhist temple. And why the sticks of incense in the "kouro" it is because inside the temple, you can not do.

And Angel says this custom also became something trivial like all the ways of the world, causing them to cover the smoke all over the body.
I think very few people who can explain the real meaning, because if we ask, chances are that you meet what they all said, that is, for us to heal the damaged body parts, or to make us more ready ( head) or to be more beautiful or handsome (in the face).

And finally, a personal opinion:

If people can spend the day happy with that thought, I think it's okay, because not bother anyone. But although I'd like to think that, also take place in their hearts, the true meaning of this custom, before entering the temple.

Today, very few people who know the true meanings of customs and words (I am one of them), and worse, is that neither care about or ask to learn the why of things. Although asked, most could not answer ......
Fortunately, I was taught many things, not just at school but also in my house because I like to know the why of things (and many), so sometimes too annoying those around me with my questions but unfortunately I can not change

There are many important things we can not know through the mobile or the Internet or books, as well as the wisdom and experience teach us humans.

Sorry for the "speech" but is the only thing .... and a personal opinion.

Regards

nora: thanks very instructive
these things would be easier to find for people looking for information in the future if they were on your own blog. and placing a link to this post, one of your comments would also automatic with a quote (pingback).

ale / cucumber
Yes ..... I get it ..... thanks

Alain-kun
"... Things that seem strange to the rest (?) Of the Japanese ..." I did not know you were Japanese, hahahaha ......
Do not be offended or angry, please, but ... It's amused me that you're more Japanese than a Japanese!

Regards

Thanks Nora, in Buddhist temples. You are right in what you say, and as you said Angel, often the religious come to trivialize. Here, for example (one of many) with the communion of children. Many do so for faith and how they do it for the party and gifts? There are even "communion lists" like a wedding!

Nuria: Yes, it might be comparable to what you mention here communions, many children make for a party then assemble them and give them many gifts, as well as by the desire of parents to reunite the family and friends and give them a good party, as luxurious as possible. But hey, this would be the economic and social that every religion has. In Japan, however, and I speak only for what it's telling Alain, I get the impression that has been lost, in general, all religious roots, people do not know the true meanings of the religious ceremonies, and replaces them with explanations and somewhat infantilists and above all with a very optimistic-happy world.
May be explained by the desire for material progress that characterizes the present-day Japan. In this way of seeing things, a religion, any religion, taken as it is, no longer a hindrance, since every religion, by definition, is pessimistic about this world (this world is a mess in which no but pain and suffering and we must procure a future world that is beyond the material world, this is what comes to mean any religion). Of course, this kind of thinking is at least very uncomfortable if we believe we can achieve happiness through material progress. Rather, they are completely contradictory visions.
For this reason and this is an analysis and a boat soon, is still preserved the religious tradition but only in its shell and looks, absolutely deprived of its original meaning and giving it a new interpretation that is more in line with the current way of seeing things .
All very spiritualist I am today. You can tell I have not eaten breakfast, so I'm going to remedy it immediately.
Best wishes to all and as always thanks to Nora for her kindness to me. Just try to find, like you, the reason of things, not to stay on appearance alone, but is something I do not recommend at all because it only gives headaches.

But I strongly agree with your analysis, without going into whether it is right or wrong to be alone with the rites of religion. Personally I do not think a lack of respect recycle only part of a religion.

Ah! communions and not make children, parents do.

Nora: Thanks for your information, I've updated the post.
Sorry, sometimes I forget that I am not Japanese, so I changed that part too, hahhaa.

Nuria: To my knowledge in Buddhism.