It's Black Cat Appreciation Day! I've owned a couple of black cats in my life and both were sweet friends. Not sure how they got a bad rep. But they crossed my path many times and it didn't seem to change my luck substantially.
But then again I don't believe in luck...good or bad.
On a totally different topic, I picked up a Zushi at an antique store the other day. And don't feel bad if you have never heard of a Zushi before. Either had I. I'd seen it in a display case a few weeks ago. A zushi is a small ornate cabinet or shrine used to house sacred objects such as Buddhist statues, scrolls or relics. I was familiar with a home shrine called a butsudan during my brief stint as a Nichoran Shoshu Buddhist many years ago. It is a larger cabinet you keep in your home to chant to. A zushi is more of a portable, travel version.
My new zushi has a Bishamonten figure in it. He is sort of the Buddhist god of war (which kind of defeats the underlying principle of Buddhism). He is one of the Four Heavenly Kings and is associated with protection from evil, victory in battle and overcoming obstacles and wealth, prosperity and good fortune.
He's no black cat, but I'm hoping he will bring some magic into my aging life.
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