Catching Up

The holidays are always a whirlwind of activities.  As soon as November came last fall, we seemed to be busy every waking moment.  Now that we’ve turned the corner into the new year, I have finally found my way back to blogging. 

Before sharing my holiday activities, I need to catch up on the rest of rest summer.  (Yikes-it really has been awhile!)

One of our final weekends last August studying Japanese in Okazaki was busy exploring some special shrines, hiking some mountain trials, and exploring an old castle. 

We began with the shrines. 

Fertility is a celebrated aspect of life here in Japan.  In addition to the special shrines, there are also annual festivals held to specifically celebrate fertility.  During our visits to these two shrines-one dedicated to each sex-we witnessed several families with new born babies, likely giving thanks for the birth of their healthy child. (I am afraid I do not recall either of the temples names we visited.)

The shrine dedicated to male fertility.

Shrine dedicated to female fertility. 

Pregnant women are supposed to crawl through.  If they make it, they will have an easy birth.

The castle we toured-Inuyama Castle-we discovered is the oldest standing castle in Japan.  It was built in 1537 (reconstructed in the 1960’s). 

After refreshing ourselves with some ice cream, we were ready for a hike.  On our way to the trailhead, we stopped to view some lovely waterfalls.  The two waterfalls are said to be a couple-one male, one female.  One of the waterfalls in quite loud while the other is quite quiet.  It’s up to you to decide which is which. 

Our hike was beautiful.  It left me longing for more time in the mountains. 

Koya San

The Obon Holidays in Japan are for remembering the deceased.  During these few days every August, people return to their childhood homes.  The spend time with their family and honor their deceased loved ones.  Candles are lit.  Incense is burned.  Flowers are placed on graves. 

Fortunately for us, we were in Wakayama during Obon and relatively close to a famous mountain.  This mountains name is Koya San.  Koya San boasts having the largest-and one of the most beautiful-cemeteries in Japan.  There are also countless temples, many at which you can stay the night.  Unfortunately this time, we were unable to stay over.  Though we were able to see the special Obon event. 

The pathway through the Okunoin cemetery was lit on both sides with stone lanterns.  Every entering the cemetery was given a handful of small candles to stick along the ground to light the pathway.  It was beautiful.

  

The monk who first settled on Koya San in the year 819 was named Kukai.  The monks hold the belief that he never actually died, but rather entered into a continuously in a state of meditation.  His body is at the Okunoin Temple, which can be reached after walking through the cemetery.  

Sadly, we only had a few hours visiting Koya San.  I am hoping to make it back again before our time in Japan ends.  

A Many Course Meal

After walking only a few blocks, we came upon what we later learned is the biggest temple entrance gate in all of Japan.  It loomed above us.  Careful not to slip on the slick stone steps, we began climbing up to the Chion-in Temple. 

  

We wandered around the temple, taking in the incredible beauty.  

On the way back to Shiraume.  The woman standing in the white and red kimono is either a Geisha or Maiko.

When we returned to Shiraume, they were ready for us to check in.  They showed us our rooms-which were gorgeous-and welcomed us with tea and cakes. 

One of the special things ryokans such as Shiraume offer is a elaborate dinner served to you right in your room.  This is a traditional multi-course Japanese meal called "kaiseki."  This was-without a doubt-one of my favorite parts of the entire trip.  

Ready for dinner-the napkins are provided as gift souvenirs.

The food was amaaaazing. ( I am afraid I can't remember what everything was called...)

Course 1:Eel, shrimp, bamboo shoots, plums, and fish.

Also part of course1: Some type of gelatin with miso (I think) sauce.

Course 2: A clear broth soup with fish, yuzu (a Japanese citrus) and fern garnish.

Course 4: Fish cakes, lotus root, konnyaku, and ginger.

Course 4-single serving.

Course 5 (option 1): Baby octopus, fish and asparagus.

Course 5, part 2, option 1: Delicious sashimi!

Course 5, option 2: Kobe beef. (It virtually melted in your mouth. Melted.)

Course 6: Potato dumpling with eel inside and fresh bamboo shoots. 

Course 7: Tempura.

Cute soy sauce container!

Course 8, part 1: Rice with some type of garnish.  Seaweed, I think.

Course 8, part 2: Japanese pickles.

Course 8, part 3: Miso soup.

Course 9: Dessert.  Fresh fruit, match (green tea) cake with black sesame ice cream.  Otherwise known as heaven.  (It was amazing!)

When we finished our many courses, we decided the best thing to do would be walking.  So out we headed out for some more sight seeing.  There happened to be a lantern festival happening during our stay.  This was especially good for us because that meant the temples and shrines would be open later. 

My favorite place was a Japanese Buddhist Zen Garden ( I am afraid I don't remember the actual name of the place-I am working on finding it) and the pools that perfectly reflected their surroundings.  It was stunning.  

After returning to Shiraume, Karl and I went to our room to relax.  The next day we would explore Nara-Japan’s first (or second) capital city.  

Our beds all ready for us to climb in for the night.

Traditional Japanese wooden bath-they are very deep tubs.  I love them.

Beautiful decor in our room.

侍 (Samurai)

 

All too soon, the alarm went off.  We got up, got ready, and made our early train to Yorii. 

There aren’t many things that will get us out of bed early on a weekend morning…but a samurai festival is one of them.

寄居町北條祭り-Yorii Machi Houjou Matsuri-Yorii Town Samurai Festival.  This festival, held every year, is a historical reenactment of a samurai battle that took place on the banks of the Arakawa River some 400 or so years ago.

A friend of ours participates in this festival every year and coordinates a group of international volunteers.  We were asked to join. 

What a fantastic opportunity.

For some reason, it was decided that Karl and I would be wearing the most intricate costumes in our group.  We had to get up so early so there would be time to get dressed and adjust everything without rushing. 

Karl’s outfit-by far-took the longest.  

Karl's outfit in pieces before dressing.

First the shirt, pants and arm guards.

Much help is needed during this process.

The leg guards.

Finishing touches...this outfit took over an hour to put on.

The dratted too-small footwear we all had to wear for seven hours.

Tying the straw sandals on the feet.  Again, help was needed.

Ready to go lead the samurai troops!

Me keeping Karl in line.

There were many cute little samurais running around.  Some were my students!

Once we finished dressing, we had to walk to the banks of the river, where the opening ceremony-and later on, the battle reenactment-would take place. 

Lined up, listening to speeches.

Checking each other out...I think the samurai look works.

Parading!

 After numerous speeches by politicians (which lasted waaaaay too long in full armor, 80+ degree weather in the beating sun) we all trooped through town on a parade. 

Karl had to make a little motivational speech-in Japanese.  He was very well received. 

Karl passionately addressing the crowds.

Cheers and raising of katanas and spears.

Looking important.

 After the speeches and parade, back to the beach we went to watch the battle reenactment.  

The smoke billowing around the battlefield.

After the fireworks and smoke subsided as the "battle" ended, we were mobbed by people wanted photos of the gaijin samurai.  Many a photo was taken.  

My helmet was a tad large...I had to adjust it frequently.  Fortunately it was plastic. Karl's was metal and very heavy.

Our International samurai group.

These guys were the coolest. 

Our best try at acting.  I think we should stick to teaching.

So despite the heat and heavy armor, this was a really wonderful experience.  

But next time...I think I'll just watch and take pictures.