Sayonara

I could go on blogging for a long time, but I suspect the audience has seen enough, and besides, I've been back in Atlanta for two days- even if my head thinks I'm in Japan.

A study tour like this only scratches the surface of Japan, its history and its culture. As much as we did, it all makes me want to learn more. I hope all of you feel the same way.

Thanks to our fearless leader Maureen "Mimi" Stephens who kept us in line (literally), our expert in Japanese culture Yuko Takahashi for her great patience, to the Five College Center For East Asian Studies, The National Consortium for Teaching About Asia, and the Freeman Foundation for their support. Special thanks to the happily retired Kathy Woods-Masalski who laid down the groundwork.

Sayonara y'all!

Family cars

Looks like my mini-van has a relative in Japan.

Tanuki

Tanuki is an actual species of dog, often mistaken for a raccoon or a badger. In Japanese folklore, he's a mischevious shape-shifter with a straw hat and a flask of sake' who beckons patrons into restaurants and bars. A common and popular character.

Sleep Well

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, much as one would have found centuries ago. During the day, the tatami mat floors are covered with a low table and chairs. At night, futons are rolled out for cozy sleeping.

Nara

Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784. It is also home to a number of notable shrines and temples, along with a herd of aggressive deer. According to the legendary history of Kasuga Shrine, the god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijō-kyō. Since then the deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country. A cute little "deer boy" is a symbol of the city.















The Buddhist temple of Todai-ji is the largest wooden structure in the world. It has to be, since it houses the largest bronze Buddha in the world. This Daibutsu is even larger than the famous statue at Kamakura. the current statue is over 400 years old.


















Kasuga-taisha is a Shinto shrine famous for thousands of stone and bronze lanterns. They are all lit up for special festivals.

Kyoto

Just a quick trip on the Shinkansen from Tokyo is Kyoto, which served as the home of the emperor and capital of Japan from 794 - 1868. The city was the scene of major battles between samurai back in the 15th-16th centuries, but was spared the destructive bombing of WWII and is home to some of the finest examples of pre-war architecture in Japan. It is home to 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. Here are some of the highlights:




Kiyomizu-dera
Begun in 798, the current buildings date back to 1633. No nails were used in the construction. Kiyomizu means "pure water", and people line up to drink from three waterfalls that can grant wisdom, health and longevity- but don't get greedy and try for all three, as that can bring bad luck. An adjacent Shinto shrine contains a statue of the god Okuninushi, who can bring good love matches. None of our group visited him, since we already have perfect matches.


The guy with the red cape is Jizo, a deity who protects children. He's popular guy.


Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, dates back to 1397. The original was destroyed by fire in the 1950's, so the current building dates only to 1955. Gilt in gold, it reminds me of my own home.




At Ryoan-ji you can find one of the most famous Zen gardens in the world. The raked gravel (represneting water?) and 15 strategically place rocks help the viewer to move toward enlightenment. Only 14 of the rocks are visible from any angle, suggesting that completion is never really possible.























Ninna-ji is a Buddhist temple famous for its five story pagoda and a Zen garden. The original was destroyed in the 15th century and rebuilt 150 years later.

The Heian Shrine is a Shinto shrine built in 1895. It was designed to resemble the Imperial Palace, and features a huge torii gate and a garden that was featured in the film "Lost in Translation". Here Laura substitutes for Scarlett Johansson.

Faster Than a Speeding Bullet

The Shinkansen (AKA Bullet Train) carries millions of passengers around Japan in safety and comfort- at speeds of 130-186 mph. Trains reach their destination within an average of 6 seconds of scheduled arrival times. Amtrack, are you listening?

Onsen

Sitting as it does on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is blessed with abundant natural hot springs. Some of this water is used for the famous Japanese mineral baths known as an onsen.

The routiine is simple. Enter the onsen, shower, gently ease into the steaming pool of water, and try and ignore the other people.

I'd show pictures but my camera lens kept fogging up.

Hachiko the Faithful Dog

Outside the Shibuya Station is a statue of Hikachi, an Akita dog that waited at the station every day for his master to come home. One day his owner suffered a stroke and died. For nine years, the dog faithfully came to the station at the time his master's train had always arrived. The dog's loyalty inspired two statues (the first was melted down for metal during the war) and a hit movie.

Our dog Tank shows the same loyalty to whoever is feeding him.

Shoes

It's true- in most homes, schools, temples, and any place with tatami mats on the floor, shoes come off and slippers go on. Most places supply them for you. There are even slippers for the bathroom.

Miyajima Island

Just a short ferry ride from Hiroshima is the island of Miyajima, home to Shinto Shrines, Buddhist Temples, grilled eel luncheons and aggressive deer that will eat your lunch or your guide map. The Torii Gate is one of the most famous in the world, and hangs out in a shallow bay. A nice break from the big city.

Vending Machines

According to one of our instructors, it takes the equivalent of one power plant to supply electricity to teh array of vending machines in Japan, They all work correctly too and never take your money. Everything from cold juice to hot coffee to beer and cigarettes is available. For more variety you can always hit a convenience store. Seems like there's one on every corner. 7/11 sushi anyone?

Peace Memorial Park

The Memorial Cenotaph, whose design resembles the homes of ancient Japan's earliest residents, covers a chest containing the names of those who died as a result of the atomic blast. A plaque outside is inscribed "REST IN PEACE, FOR THE ERROR SHALL NOT BE REPEATED"

The Flame of Peace will not be extinguished until all atomic bombs are eliminate from the world.


The Children's Peace Memorial is famous for the many paper cranes surrounding the base of the statue.

Ringing the Peace Bell

The A Bomb Dome was right at ground zero on August 6, 1945, when "Little Boy" lit up the sky above Hiroshima. strangely, the iron and concrete building and dome did not collapse under the intense energy of the blast. It stands today as a stark reminder of the power of the bomb.