White Feather Donations

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White feather (shiroi hane)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Early summer
***** Category: Observance

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shiroi hane 白い羽根 (しろいはね) white feather



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On March 8 is the day of the Red Cross and World Peace.

During the whole month of May, volunteers, especiallyl pupils and students, collect money to donate to these efforts. The donor gets a white feather to put on his lapel to show he has already given.


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In winter before christmas, other collections are made by the Central Community Chest and the donor gets a red feather.
http://www.akaihane.or.jp/english/index.html

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Worldwide use

Bhutan

We have several sacred dates almost every month when families visit temples or monasteries and make offerings and light butter lamps, also make donations.


4th May : Shabdrung Kuchoe (Death Anniversary of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel
the founder of the state of Bhutan 1594 -1651 - the exact date of his death is uncertain as he is said to have entered a 'retreat' and died during the time. )


June 7 Lord Buddha's Parinirvana


July 2 Guru Rimpoche's Birth Anniversary


25th August - Last Sermon of Lord Buddha


. BHUTAN SAIJIKI


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Mongolia

. Feather, feathers .


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Things found on the way


A white feather has been a traditional symbol of cowardice, used and recognised especially within the British Army and in countries associated with the British Empire since the 18th century.
It also carries opposite meanings, however: in some cases of pacifism, and in the United States, of extraordinary bravery and excellence in combat marksmanship.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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HAIKU





こゑ嗄らす女学生らの白い羽根
koe karasu jogakuseira no shiroi hane

hoarse voices . . .
the girl students with
the white feathers

Ishida Gifuu 石田義風

You can easily imagine the girls standing there, calling at the donors for hours and collecting money for a good cause.


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Related words





***** akai hane 赤い羽根 (あかいはね) red feather
ai no hane 愛の羽根（あいのはね） feather of love
kigo for late autumn

Central Community Chest of Japan (CCCJ)
Donations for Disaster Relief

All Nippon Airways
With each domestic fright from Tokyo on 1st October, flight attendants bring red feather and the messages of the Minister for Health and Welfare and the Chairman of Central Community Chest of Japan to the whole country.
http://www.akaihane.or.jp/english/body02.htm



WKD Autumn Observances

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