Weeks 6-7 of My Journey

October 7th I spent the day with the Stack Family at the Otsu Matsuri Festival.They are my next door neighbors.They have become good friends during my stay in Otsu, Japan

Kai -Wow! He is an amazing five year old. He never runs out of energy. He has such a love for life. He is only 5 and speaks and reads Japanese and English.










Martins daughter Marina. One of the most innovative, intelligent 11 year old I have ever met. She speaks, reads and writes in Japanese and English. She writes her own fictional adventures. So much fun to be with!


Martin's wife Maki is a wonderfully kind and patient woman..She reminds me of my daughter Cathie.She is such an awesome Mother.She works magic with her children.













Below is Martin and Me. Thank the Stars for Martin!! He has been my interpreter,my guide and mentor. I would not have known what I was doing without the Awesome Martin Sensei!!














The Floats below are pulled by 20 men while on top of the float 13 musicians play music on flutes and cymbals. No women are allowed to play or pull the floats. There are a total of 13 floats each one tells a story. Each float has marionette's that are worked by a puppeteer below. The floats were all hand made in the year 612. They are pulled throughout the streets of Otsu for hours.Stopping at various locations to play the music,work the puppets and throw gifts to the the crowds.














Week 3-5 of My Journey

Tea Room on Ishiyamadera Temple Grounds.


The last 2 weeks have been quiet and and a bit lonely. So I decided get off my duff and enjoy the beauty and history that surrounds me. I decided to visit 2 more temples. The weather was perfect both days. It was 8o-85 sunny and breezy.What a great way to minimize the boredom and loneliness. The first visit was the Ishiyamadera Temple. Headquarters of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism, It is also where the Tale of the Genji. was written in August 1004, By Lady Murasaki. Hey ladies isn't that awesome. The first novel ever written was by a A WOMAN--YES!! The second temple I visited was Miideria Onji-Ji. The principal temple of the Tendai Jimon Sect of Buddhism. I actually traveled on my own.--Didn't get lost.:) You can see I love temples, Buddhas and Bodhisattva's. Both of the temples are not far from Otsu.They are both in the mountains overlooking Lake Biwa. I am in two of the pictures to show you that Yes I was there:) Thank goodness for camera time delay. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the experience.

The gate leading into Ishiyamadera Temple

The Walkway into the Temple Grounds




Above is a Small temple on the grounds of Ishiyamadera Temple. It is said that Lady Murasaki meditated here while writing the Tale of the Genji.

Below is a picture I purchased. The drawing was done by one of the Shingon Monks that reside at the temple. It is his rendering of Lady Murasaki.
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Below is the shrine to 100 Buddhas. It is said they were handcrafted over 1200 years ago. The picture doesn't do it Justice



MIIDERA TEMPLE
Seen below are the images of the Miidera Temple. Visiting this temple and it's grounds was a very emotional and spiritual experience for me. It hosts many statues of Kannon, Kuan Yin or Kwan Yin- Goddess Of Compassion.She is one of my favorite Buddhist spiritual guides.

The Water Lily fountain. Built in 660. It is custom that you wash your hands in the fountain before entering the temples or shrines.

The view of Otsu from the top of Miidera Temple. The view was beautiful. Only 228 steps up a mountain side. YES I counted!! The building below is the Kannon-Do shrine built in 1072

Statue of Kannon(I call her Kwan-Yin) & Me. I can't believe I am actually touching a 1,000 year old sacred statue. It is overwhelming.

Two of the many statues of Kannon or Kwan-Yin found on the Miidera grounds. To the Japanese she is the same as Mary is to many Christians. I look to her for patience, understanding and compassion-Everyday!

Below is the Issaiko-Zo. This was a sight to behold. All of the Buddhist scriptures for this temple are housed in this wheel. Written over 1,ooo years ago. Each compartment contains holy writings. What is amazing is the wheel is surround by wooden fence that is all. The Buddhist belief is the readings are for anyone who wishes to view them unhindered by guards or security. It is understood by all Japanese they are relics (cultural property) and should not be touched. The trust and respect the Japanese people have for their treasures amazes me.

Benkei-No-Hikizurigane (Benkei's dragging bell) This bell is known as the bell which was dragged up Mt Heiei by a famous priest Benkei, during the Heian Period. Story has it Benkei try to steal it from Miidera and drag it to another temple. But at night the bell was heard crying "I want to go back to Miidera Temple". Benkei got angry and rolled it back down a mountainside. But later it was found and brought back to Miidera. It is HUGE !

There are two more bells on the grounds but in different buildings. They are about the same size. Wow!! When you ring them (Yes I did) they can be heard throughout the complex. Yes it is embarrassing when you walk out of the building. Everyone knows it was YOU who rang the bell AGAIN. I am such a tourist.

The small temple of 100 golden buddhas-Ishiyamadera Temple