>>And every little group has a different cycle ~ cross sect marriages are undoubtedly hard on the family calendar.
You know it. After 5 years living in Japan and marrying into a family of Buddhist statue carvers, I’ve seen it all. The worst though are Soka Gakkai - those people are relentless and creepier than even PL or Tenri.
These are usually the choice of the carver ~ not the customer ~ but when it's custom made he's referring to a list and matching it up with what he knows of the family.
Recently the DNA researchers found the Sa'ami X-factor gene sequence in the Yakutz Sakha ~ and an archaeologist finally translated their holy books that they couldn't read any more and discovered it's a sort of book of kings traceable back to when they ruled India back in Buddha's time.
This is also the same group that provided the invaders who began taking over the Japanese islands in 560 AD. They formed the ruling class right down to modern times ~ and there's a reason they don't look like the average Japanese ~ 'cause they aren't.
Now, the book of non-Buddhist symbols used for family lanterns ~ ever run into it?