Sapporo, a northern Japanese city, urged residents not to put 10 yen coins in their coffins when cre..

사진 확대 Sapporo, a northern Japanese city, urged residents not to put 10 yen coins in their coffins when cremating. [Photo source = SCMP]

Sapporo, a northern Japanese city, urged residents not to put 10 yen coins in their coffins when cremating.

According to Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 11th, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, has issued an official notice on crematoriums since April and ordered a ban on putting 10 yen coins in coffins.

In Hokkaido, coins worth 10 yen are traditionally placed in coffins. It is the name of the fare of a ferry that a lion rides when crossing the Sanj River. The reason is that the soul of the dead must pass through this river before it is reincarnated.

However, as the cremation rate in Sapporo increased every year, 10-yen coins became a problem in crematoriums.

During makeup, metal coins melt and stick to the inside, and you have to remove them yourself, Fujita, a city hall employee, said. “It can take up to an hour.”

“In the process of removing stains from melted coins, the life of the dressing table is shortened,” he added.

“The custom stems from the myth of paying six mon, the ancient Japanese monetary unit, for the fare to cross the Sanzhu River,” said an employee at a service provider in a local chapter.

In response to these measures, a local resident expressed concern, saying, “Now my parents will not be able to cross the Sanj River.”

Some crematoriums prepare paper with “six ancient coins” printed to prevent the use of coins while respecting traditional beliefs.

In addition to coins, Sapporo recommended not to put stuffed dolls, wine, and smartphones in the coffin. This is because equipment can be damaged and the environment can be polluted.