Koyasan

So the ryokan (traditional Japanese accommodation) I chose was Ekoin. It is not only a place where people stay, but a Buddhist temple with real monks. As it turns out this particular group specializes in praying for ancestors. That was a happy accident. I didn't realize that when I chose it. I chose it because they had a fire ceremony and that sounded neat and they had  group meditation.

The place and my room was amazing.

The meditation happened at 430pm. We gathers in the main meditation room. And we wee guides by a monk in the Ajikan style of meditation: about their particular style, how to sit, what not to think of, and breathing.

"A" is the first universal sound of all human being of any nationality. So the first level of this meditation process is to try to connect the "ah" sound and and nature. The monks do it in the woods. We did it in this blue carpeted room with a poster of the sandscrit "a". My legs as well as a few other went to sleep rather quickly. But it was a short meditation. I chatted a bit with a fellow from Mexico City right after who agreed to join me to explore the Okunoin cemetery, which was quite large. Dinner is served to each person in their room. I couldn't believe how much food I got. I didn't know how I was going to eat it all. Traditional vegetarian monk food (with the exception of fish in the soup broths apparently). All very delicious.

Travels to Mt Koya aka Koyasan

I had to take 3 trains and a cable car to get there. First le me say the lock trains are unbelievably clean and the seats has e cushions.

This I also where I noun trees the first ever women only car ( labeled as such)

As we climbed into the mountains the views were vast and stunning as well as intimate.

The cable car was very steep.

Koyasan is small, quiet and peaceful tucked into the mountains.

Kyoto the last

It's funny because I am realizing that with my stack it up attitude I am probably doing way more than my mom would have done. Alas this is not necessarily how she would do but all things I know she would like.

The last major thing I saw in Kyoto was Nijo Castle. Most of the interior I was not allowed to photo. It's highlights were many painted screens by an artist who was only 25 when he completed them. The coffers were all very elaborate broken up by wood framing and painted. Also the wooden floor boards were rigid in such a way that when you walked on them they squeaked. That was so no one could sneak up on the shogunate. This castle was mostly occupied by warriors protecting it as the shogunate rarely used it. The nail heads on the exterior were covered with elaborate gold filgilree. The grounds and stone walls were also quite beautiful and austere.

I could see this tattooed somewhere on me. I love how things are trained to grow horizontal. It's like the branches are floating.

A view from one of the turrets of the castle grounds. 

With a door for a normal sized person installed.

And my final amazing breakfast and my hostel owner.

I gave him an Ojo Rojo marble as a gift and thank you. He did not know mom was in it. But the place was so beautiful and he and his wife were so lovely and helpful. She will like it here too.

Still Kyoto

Well I spent 3 nights in Kyoto and there was still more to see. But here's what I did on my last day there.

I woke up extra early and trundled up the hill back to Kiyomizudera Temple to right this bowl without 12 million school children about on a field trip.

You bowl and pray and then bonk the bowl. It resonates for a long time an was really beautiful.

I then walked over and saw this cool painting of a dragon. Sorry I forget its importance but it looks cool.

Back down to my hostel for breakfast which was amazing! Everyone that goes to Kyoto should stay at this hostel.

Myorning was spent at Ryoanji Temple. Famous for its dry garden.

Images of the garden. 

On the way to the garden I came upon this Buddha. It was on a side path and people didn't even notice me standing there. So I leapt up and poured some of moms ashes in its lap. Prayed,cried, and went to the Temple.

Inside the Temple there was various pieces of ink wash drawings. I especially liked this one and I know my mom would have too.

Despite the hordes or children this was beautiful and serene. 15 rocks expertly placed. I think it has all to to with the spacing.

Around the back of the temple there was a special hand washing station, Tsukubai.  It had an inscription on it that said "I learn only to be contented". Meaning, he who learns to be contented is spiritually rich, while the one who does not learn to be contented is spiritually poor even if he is materially wealthy. This concept is important in the Zen spirit.

Kyoto continues

I really splurged this night and after I went to a tiny restaurant that was recommended to me by a fellow hosteler, Nagatake. It was on a tiny street called Ponto-cho.

The food was amazing Yasai (vegetables) and sashimi.

The man sitting next to me turned out to be a traditional Japanese musician. He gave me a packet of the face make up he uses which is supposed to be unique to Kyoto.

I think that is him on the paper.

The owner gave  me a special desert, which I attempted to eat.

As it turned our it was plastic. And they all saw me take the bite. Good thing I can laugh at myself cause they were laughing at me. But as a constellation prize I got green tea ice cream that he makes on site fringing up the tea leaves himself. The meal over all was delicious and mom loved good food and in particular sashimi.

He then played the nose harp for me soi gave him an Ojo Rojo Urn Marble. If you look closely you can see it on the tea grinder.

The meal was a bit expensive, but delicious and the entertainment was great. Did I mention they spoke like 4 words of English.

On the walk to the bus heading home Yasaka Shrine all lit up.

Kyoto continued

I scooted back to the hostel for a quick shower and then to Gion Corner. On the way I saw geisha in full regalia! 

At Gion Corner I saw a show demonstrating tradition Japanese arts. Starting with the tea ceremony. They asked for volunteers. I eagerly raised hand. I say there with a Maliasian woman while we ha team made for us and drank it with cookie like things. She will email me photos her hiss and took. They also showed flower arranging, comedic play, puppetry, warrior dancing, and Maiko (geisha dancing).

 

Kyoto cont

After the temple I went to the Imperial Palace Park to make a reservation to goto the Imperial Village Villa the next day. Unfortunately, it was closed on Saturdays. I was not able to enter the Palace either without a reservation so I wandered around the grounds. 

I ended up in the Mother and Child Garden.

I was about to take a picture when a very excited old Japanese bird watching man came over and through sign language and garbled English brought me over to a small group and pointed our a Ground Gawk Owl in a tree.

The female was inside and the male was outside guarding. Unfortunately I did not have a good enough camera to take a picture. But an old lady lent me her binoculars to look. While I was doing this the group took mercy on my legs that were fast becoming mosquito lunch. They sprayed me down and gave me cram for my 20 bites. I felt loved by both the mosquitos and the Old bird watching folk. 

I returned to my original location. 

This was the spot. It had a ritual hand washing station.

 That was set up to be a bird bath.

And a really nice tree whose branches famed out nicely. So I leapt over the fence and sprinkled moms ashes around the base. She will like watching all the mothers and children that come.

Funny how if you let life it brings you right where you need to be.