A Week in Japan
A week in Japan with Diane was a lot of fun. Even though it was August and the temperature was in the high 30's to low 40's we still did a lot. Dressing up in a Kimono, while being fun in the experiential sense, is not something I would advocate doing on a routine basis. The owner of the place that we were staying at was our "dresser". He did a great job and there was a lot of laughter at being poked, turned around, bound and otherwise ordered to do this and that. As to wearing these most colorful robes on a daily basis, I shall pass.For one thing they did not exactly flatter us and they were HOT.
We walked along the streets of Kyoto (where we set up our base). There were numerous shrines that I felt were very different from those that I have seen in Korea,
Most places were crowded with both visitors and worshippers. The day that we were here the air was filled with smoke from the numerous sticks of incence.
Toaji Temple, Nara
This is the largest wooden structure in the world. This version of the Great Buddha Hall dates back to the 18th century. An earlier building had been destroyed by fire.
This is one of the Heavenly Kings who guards the temple's entrance.
This Being helps those who are suffering and at the end of the day with blisters on our feet we were in need of some compassion and foot balm.
I am unsure as to what this creature stood for, but to be on the safe side I kept my distance.
He Crushes Passions Of The Mind
I kept my distance from this one too.
Water fountains must have a long history of being popular, especially in countries where you lose a liter of water over the course of an hour just from going at a slow pace.
Right Outside The Temple's Gates
These deer were everywhere in the park. They were also the only deer that I have ever seen bow! Perhaps this was something they learned en masse, but I am not sure. All I know is that I was met by group after group of bowing deer, all looking for the proverbial handout (sold in handy packages all over the place).
Park Outside The Temple
We spent the better part of the day just walking through the temple and park area. Everything was beautifully lush and well manicured. The hedges here reminded me of those I had seen in England as a child.
There were smaller temples and a botanical garden that was absolutely exquisite. It was also very quiet there. None of the deer made any noise and the people walking through the park were also equally as quiet.
The heat was no joking matter though. Diane took advantage of the cold spring water that was apparently safe for drinking. I also washed up a bit. We tend to take much for granted until reminded of how lucky we actually are.
I think that these two pictures are among my favorites of the park. The bird was so quiet that I almost missed him and the fish were a riot of color in a lanscape of blues and greens.
Kosho Ji Temple
We saw so many temples and palaces that I began to blur them all into one after a few days but this place I do remember.
The detailed panels that filled the interior of the buildings were absolutely exquisite!
Kyoto
Like many cities in Korea, Kyoto is surrounded by mountains and this means that you have to climb a fair bit to see somethings. Most people who know me understand that while I am more than capable of walking for hours on flat land, I am a bit of a poke going uphill (no matter how wonderous the view may be!),
Thankfully we were able to take our time and enjoy the scenery bit by bit. With space being so limited here it was amazing to see so few people out and about. We did note though that the paucity of available land did tend to show up in the graveyard which was absolutely packed to capacity from my perspective!
Nijo Castle
This place was great as it contrasted with much of what I have seen of Korea's fortresses. In some respects it looked to have a European influence but, upon close examination the similarity stopped at the doorway.
Our Abode For The Week
This was our room at the guest house that we stayed in. It cost us 50 dollars US a night and this was a great deal in a country that is generally more expensive than any other place I have been to. From the six dollar glass of coke at the airport, to our meals purchased at the local corner store, we were more than aware that our money lacked the purchasing power that it did elsewhere. The room was large enough and the air conditioning was a boon. It was also interesting to sleep on tatami mats. It would have been great had there been seven mats. I likened my reaction to the mats to the Princess and the Pea. Every morning I scouted the corridors of the maze-like building to see if I could find another mat. I only managed to find one more, but it did make that "pea" seem slightly less pressing. All in all the week spent here was great. The people that we met were a lot of fun. The woman at the craft center has likely stopped having to receive therapy after her experience trying to teach me how to make a small Japanese doll (razors and blondes do not always mix well), and Diane and I had a lot of laughs and learned a great deal. This is what matters, right?
1998 - 1999
