Seiryu-ji Temple June 30 2010

June 30 2010: We started out, well, stop, start, stop, start (you know....gas, bank, ohhh bathroom!) and finally got on our way to the Seiryu-ji Temple (Big Buddha). The base has a center that provides us with directions to some of the more popular tourist destinations. We usually look at the directions, get an idea of where we are going, then go in a totally different direction as it is our goal to avoid the toll roads.
So up into the mountains we went. Came across on one of the many volcanoes/mountains, where a dam has been built to hold the lake (or some such thing). Turns out there is a nice little rest area there. It's closed (not sure why), the building that is. But there are lots of carved wood statues everywhere and a wonderful walking path. After a grueling 40 minutes or so in the car, it was time for a break. (really, wasn't gruelling we are just prone to the dramatics today)

We took the opportunity to walk the path, then went into the grass to follow the little stream to the water.

Andi and Shane looking for fish.

Above: Ok, this picture above is a little out of order. It shouldn't be coming into play for a few more frames yet. But let's just pretend this is an old fashioned slide show and we go with the misplaced slide. This is a close up of the bathroom window at our next stop....a whopping 5 Klicks (kilometers for you mile lovers) down the road. (at the previous stop the facilities where closed).

You know, in reality there are a few pictures completely out of order.....I really must quit loading the pictures late at night. Anyway, above is a shot from our backseat driver, who is actually very silent when compared to the noisy one in the left front seat (oh wait, that's me!) We were on some mountain roads...they are narrow roads.....the trucks (which aren't 18 wheelers, but still have many more wheels than us) generally take up a bit more than their lane. So this is a shot of the view on the mountain roads...this one was a little tight. Our truck was hitting brush, but that's better than hitting the truck.

Above: Mountain plateau.

Below: Oh here we are at the bathroom....5 Klicks from our first stop. It was a little run down. But for Andi run down is great as long as there is a western style toilet.

A couple of moths that we found in the entry way. Thank goodness they weren't in the bathroom itself, as they kind of freaked Andi out a bit. Actually there were quiet a few spiders in the bathroom but Andi gets a good case of tunnel vision when she needs to in order to get the job done.

Below: Coming out of one of the mountain passes.

And at an opportune time....some buildings! No, of course it's not our destination. It's been at least a half hour since we last stopped....must mean....YES! It's lunch time. A wonderful place this turned out to be. A roadside station. The restaurant was great. Though we had a little challenge in ordering, as we usually rely on pictures here. This one had no pictures, but lots of words. Did I mention I can't read? Luckily we have enough rudimentary skills and have eaten out enough to get an idea of basics that are generally on a Japanese menu. Miso? no....Gohan (rice sorry, that's lice) yes....Curry??? YES! Shane and I are happy. You can't go wrong with Curry. So Mom, Katie, Shane and I had the Curry, Andi had the rice. Once we got the curry I realized Katie might have a problem....it was beef...not something Katie eats. But as she said, she was hungry and there wasn't a lot of room to be picky. Plus, as she put it, it was really good.

Now, at long last we reached our destination. Really it didn't take all that long once we stopped with the stopping.

So now there is a lot of info to put in. I looked for a website to let you take your own tour. Alas it's in Japanese, but it does have pretty pictures.

http://www.showa-daibutu.com/

This is a relatively new Buddhist temple founded by a priest named Ryuko Oda in 1982. Was built in the priests belief that "A temple itself preaches to us in a silent manner".

Above: the hat of Buddha peeking out from the trees.

Below: The top of the 5 storied Pagoda. This pagoda is 39 meters (120 ft) and is the highest wooden pagoda to the north of Kyoto (The one in Kyoto is the tallest at 54.8 meters)

Below: the vermilion hall. My info brochure says "it enshrines Kobo-Daishi". He was an energetic founder and teacher of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. I don't think he is actually in, in the temple, but rather a shrine is built to him.

Inside the vermilion hall. The incense smelled so wonderful in there. I think I could have sat and just relaxed all day with that smell.

Below: Thought at first that this was a hawk flying above the temple grounds. But once I got home and looked closer on the computer....I think it might be a Golden Eagle. Those who know your birds, let me know!

Below: Kondo...main hall. Built in 1992 is the center of the temple ground and various ceremonies are held here. Made of natural Japanese Hiba cypress from Aomori perfecture. (a side note, this place smells wonderful too....it's the wood) Another note on the wood (again thank goodness for the English brochure given at the ticket booth) is "it's a precious building material with a nice fragrance, beautiful bark, durability and an antibacterial spectrum which helps prevent termite damage." As many as 10 Buddhist sculptures are enshrined in this hall.

Inside the the main hall.

Below: painting of "Amida Shoju Raigozu (Descent of Amida and the Heavenly Multitude) It is a copy of the national treasure in Mt. Koya."

Below: Another painting. I don't know who of....just liked it.

Below: A poster on one of the podiums.

All right, lets move back out to that 5 story pagoda. Lets start with a little background info...once again from that brochure.

"A stupa for enshrining Buddha's remains in ancient India was brought into Japan along with Buddhism via China and the Korean peninsula. In its introduction process, it gradually changed its form and became higher and eventually took the form of a three or five storied wooden pagoda."

"It is made of natural Japanese Hiba cypress from Aomori. The central pillar is hanging from the top, a long-held architectural style which helps a pagoda resistant to an earthquake. It absorbs earthquake tremors by swinging like a pendulum. The fact that some 5 storied pagodas have been destroyed by fire or typhoons but there was no pagoda collapsed by frequent earthquakes clearly shows the excellence of the structure."

Above: The white you see on the pagoda aren't prayer papers, they are the ends of the beams.


Below: Jizo Bosatsu (Boddhisattva) and pinwheels

"The pinwheels are for unborn children. Their mothers come and pray to their unborn children, offering the pinwheels along with candles and incense, sweets, stuffed animals and clothes in hope of consoling their souls. Jizo Bosatsu is the guardian deity of deceased children."

This was a very peaceful area. It's one of those areas where your soul is touched very deeply and can't quite put it into words.

Below: Bokeyoke Kannon. "a deity for older people who are beginning to forget things. Japan boast the world's highest longevity rate. Because Japanese people live longer, they intensify their wish to lead a healthy life without dementia. This Kannon protects people from dementia" note the old man and woman clinging to Kannon's feet. I told Mom she should be dropping many coins at the donation box.....she didn't laugh....I think it was Mom, perhaps my mind has already gone.

Below: Showa Daibtsu (Showa Great Buddha)

"The statue is Dainichi Nyorai, the central Buddha of the Buddhist world wearing a crown on his head and making Zen meditation hand gesture. Why was such a large Buddha built in Aomori? Ryuko Oda, the founder, said 'We Japanese are enjoying an affluent life. We should not forget our gratitude and reverence for the war dead who sacrificed themselves for the nation and laid a foundation for today's affluence'. This is one of the reasons it was built. The second floor of the inside of the Showa Daibutsu is a room for consoling the souls of war dead. It is a place to express our gratitude for war dead, comfort their souls and pray for peace."

I am not sure how big this Buddha is....but Katie assured me that she thought it far bigger than the one they saw in Kyoto. Which I just looked up and will have to say I think she is right. If I'm correct, this Buddha is 21.35 meters, the one that Katie saw 15 meters. Notice how the hands are folded on the lap. In a couple of days I will post some of Katies pictures from her travels, she got a great closeup of this.
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/big-buddha-japan.shtml

Mom and Katie walking away from the Showa Daibutsu.

Below: Ichigan Kannon (One-Wish Kannon) "Ichigan means one wish. This Kannon will accept just one wish of worshipers. What would you wish for?"

Below: Fudo Myooh "a furious looking statue which is baring his teeth and has a sword in right hand, a rope in his left hand and a flame on his back. He severs people's bad thoughts with the sword and forcefully brings people taking the wrong path back to the right path with the rope. So he is a welcome deity." He did look a bit fierce....yeah, I'll go back to the right path...no worries.

Below: Kobo-Daishi "The staute of a priest wearing a sedge hat across the pond is Kobo-Daishi (774-835), the founder of the Shingon sect. There are many sects in Japanese Buddhism."

Remember that posting a few days ago where Mom and I went to a cemetry and there was the staute of the one guy....well there you go. Kobo-Daishi. So I have learned that the temple and cemetery in question is of the Shingon sect. Learn a little bit more everyday.

"Daishi carried out Buddhist practices throughout Shikoku. There are temples now where he once trained himself and many people to make the pilgrimage to the 88 temples associated with him. The pond modeled after Shikoku has sand from each of these places around it. Each footmark shaped plate holds the sand from on these 88 temples."

Above: A water way running through the grounds.

Below: Just outside the grounds were rice fields. And yes, it appears that the old rusted out car is in the middle of a field. Just plant around whatever is in your way. I really do wonder how it got there in the first place.

Above: Stopped at a Lawson (a "conbini" store...like a 7-11) for our traditional "on the road & get weird snacks" stop. Took another picture of rice fields. Katie said "yeah, because you haven't seen one of those before". Well, no, not with this veiw!

Below: It is obviously napping time. No, he's not driving down the road. He too was at the Lawson taking a rest.

And at the end of a long day....Andi also needed to take a rest. Katie's shoulder was a bit stiff by the time she finally woke up!

So, tomorrow will be more catch-up from our journeys. And then once that's all caught up...I'll post some of Katies photos to parts of Japan I have yet to go! Hopefully I paid close enough attention to the details as we were glancing through her pictures before she left.....if not, oh well.

June 28-29 Liberty Park and Towada Tour

June 28 2010 found us (Mom, Katie, Andi, Mykah and myself) to what is known as "Horse Land", or home to the big roller slide. I had to do it from memory, as could no longer find the directions. Was quiet proud of myself, making it strait there, with no wrong turns. Except to find that it is closed on Mondays! There is one thing that I still have a hard time remembering. Lots of things in Japan are closed on Mondays. So after poor Mykah learned the fact that Miss Marnie has a mouth like a sailor when met with unexpected surprises, and Katie got over her giggles at her Auntie's uncensored mouth....we went to "Liberty Park" where the Statue of Liberty is. As you can see, we found that!

Above: Katie getting ready to do the zip line. Which is in sad shape. The line is loose, so there is a bit of a sag. Making it much more challenging to avoid the giant mud puddle in the middle of the run.

Below: She cleared it!

Above: At the park, and various parks around about it is common to see the older folks engaged in some sort of croquet style game. I have looked it up on Google but am unable to find what this exactly. It's not golf/croquet as there aren't traditional wickets involved. Plus their clubs are different than the traditional mallet. But it appears to play similar to golf and croquet. I guess I shall have to leave my comfort zone and ask what this game is.

They "tee" off in a stroke similar to golf. Then as approaching the "hole" which is a portable four sided wicket (for lack of a better description) they use the more traditional croquet stroke. But it appears to be a rather serious past time in the warm months. (it was warm, don't let the long sleeves hat and gloves throw you off....they just like to cover well)

The kids had a good time at our impromptu Liberty Park visit.

Tuesday the 29th would prove to be much more of a successful visit.

First we stopped off in Towada City to enjoy the art museum. They have some new outdoor exhibits. Plus the regular indoor (which I have featured before with the REALLY tall lady sculpture)

Anyway, it was a slightly drizzly day. But that doesn't stop bicycle riders in Japan. When worried about getting wet.....just use your umbrella. This is actually a common site.

The outdoor display is a real treat. Andi and Mykah just loved it. I think Katie got a bit of a kick out it as well.

At times we do get to see women dressed in traditional wear. Whether they are on their way to a function, or this is their everyday wear, I don't know.

A little info about the artist: http://www.yayoi-kusama.jp/e/biography/index.html

http://www.yayoi-kusama.jp/e/information/index.html and her describing the display

Above: Andi picks out her favorite dog and below, Katie tries to see if she can take off with her favorite. No luck, they are anchored in place.

Below: Andi and Mykah....he seems to blend in with the art work.

Below: ok, this one was a little weird. This is what you see from the outside. Turns out this is a bathroom building. A museum docent was walking by and led us inside. The window is actually part of the men's bathroom above the urinals.

So, if you were to be standing there and look up, this is what you see from the inside.... a "peeping Tom". (look carefully and you can see the eyes....kind of hard to see) The women's bathroom didn't have any artwork. (and no fears, the window stops a bit above the urinals, so there are no screams of terror coming from those walking by on the outside)

A puffy car. This was as close as we could get to it. Don't know what it was made of.

And a puffy house. Looks kind of like a sculpted marshmallow. One of the videos below is a video that was showing inside this structure. Is it art? Or is it a home. (you may have to turn your sound up to hear the video.)

Below: City marker, I assume letting you know that you are in an area of Towada where horse information abounds. I think there is a horse museum in Towada City, but have yet to find it. I do know where the one is up at horseland (Komakko Land.....though note that Komakko does not mean horse....that is Uma)

I know, I've had it on before....but well, it's pretty.

From the museum we went to lunch. An adventure when one has to order by what the picture on the menu looks like. Andi, Mykah and myself ended up with cold egg noodles. Which aren't to bad...just not what you expect when you get noodles, one usually expects warmth. But they were good. And once they realized this was their food option for hours yet to come...they ate right up. Mom and Katie got some "flied lice" which was very good as well.

So up to Komakko Land

http://www.towada.or.jp/kankou/en/sightseeing/koma.htm

which, yes, if you went to look at the link....it blatantly says is closed on Mondays....

Above: Two grounds keepers taking a lunch break.

I'm not going to do to many pictures of horse land, as we have been here before. However, it was fun to watch Mom and Katie do the big roller slide.

Below: The do's and don'ts of roller sliding.

Mom came down in good form. I think she made a few more runs as well.

Andi reports in that going down on the belly is more difficult than it would seem. It must of jostled her egg noodles around a bit!

Only Katie would figure out a way to have true form when coming down the slide. And she went just as long as Grandma was going.

Katie and I decided to take a ride on the safe hobby horses. Now that's my kind of horse!

Mom took the horse out for a spin as well.

All right, well it is horseland, so just one picture of an actual horse. There were several out. This one was particularly frisky....must of known I was in the area.

A couple of videos. The first (if they got loaded in the order I thought they did) is the Towada City Fire Department practicing their drills. They are going up that rope using only their hands. Feet aren't on the wall.

The second is the puffy house debating what constitutes art and home. (that's the one you might need to turn up your volume on)

June 27 2010

June 27 2010: While waiting for a China store to open, Mom and I did some meandering around. Actually, the adventure to the store started a few days before this, when we went looking for it. It is located in a part of Misawa that I haven't really explored. With Katie navigating, with a map that is at best an approximation of where things are...we made our way there. With several optional turns thrown in. But we made it. Though when we all piled out of the car, I finally took the time to read the store hours....oh, only open Friday, Saturday and Sundays....hummm here it was Thursday. At least we knew where it was.
So, on Sunday went straight there. But this being a small town, he had a sign out that he would open at 1, instead of the usual 11. What better invitation to go looking around.
There is a Buddhist Temple nearby that is large, with extensive burial grounds.



So far my limited research has not revealed the proper name of this temple. But it'll be an ongoing quest, and hopefully I'll get the name and give it it's proper due.

Above: A fountain on the grounds.

Below: Many depictions of Buddha.

Below: Guardian at the entrance to the cemetery. He's either god of thunder or wind, can't remember which.

So many resting places. It is hard to get an idea as to how old this place might be. Some monuments look very old.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2060.html Just to give you an idea of the funeral process.

This was a very ornate monument. Lots of little details. One can only assume that it must be someone of great importance.
Below: Detail from above of the front pedestal.

A happy Buddha statue. Of course, as my niece Katie pointed out, a fat Buddha is an oxy-moron. He was actually very thin due extensive fasting. But this guy, I can relate to. I like the happy Buddha.

Below: What appeared to be a mystery statue. Who is this depicting? Why is he here? Ahhhh, but the answer would be reveled later in the week. You too shall have to wait. (plus it give me more time to research some stuff....though I do know his name already)

Below: Couldn't help but notice the blue house across the way....it kind of stood out on a gray day. I rather liked it.

Found a few more houses while waiting for the China store to open.

The manufacturer of the house below was having an open house across the way. Mom and I went in it. What else does one do on a Sunday but peek into open houses. It's the first time I've done it in Japan though. These (well at least the one below) are very modern houses, very American. Large and open, but yet a cozy feel to it all at the same time.

And yes, we finally did make it to the China store. China as in plates, bowls, cups, made in Japan! Got some new mugs with a wonderful pattern. Will have to build my new collection slowly. But now that I know where the store is....should be a piece of cake!