JAPAN

DAY 39 — February 12, 2017 — Osaka, JAPAN

Today we traveled from modern day Osaka to beautiful old Kyoto to visit Japan’s imperial past.  Kyoto served as Japan’s capital for 11 centuries and 20% of the country’s national treasures are preserved here.  The area was spared earthquakes over the centuries, survived numerous civil wars, and escaped WWII bombing.   But the lovely city we were expecting has not escaped urbanization and there are a lot of ugly buildings and concrete stretched out between the ancient temples and peaceful gardens.

Our picks for the day:

Kinkaku-ji Temple, originally built in 1397 as a retirement home for a Shogun, was burned in 1950 when a mentally disturbed monk set it on fire.  It was reconstructed in 1955, faithful to the 14^th century design.  Elaborate gold foil on the exterior of the upper two floors contributes to its popular name, the “Golden Pavilion.”  We would love to come back and see this in springtime with the trees in bloom.

The Nijo-jo Castle built in 1603 as an official Shogun’s residence is one of the finest examples of building design, lavish paintings, and carvings of the period.   No photos were allowed and we had to remove our shoes to walk through the special “nightingale corridors” of the castle. 

It was said that the floors were sensitive to the “footsteps of ghosts” and would chirp to warn of intruders.  The current thinking is that the floors were not intentionally built that way but developed the “singing” after years of wear and tear just like many other floors do.  So now we know to stop worrying about any floors we have that squeak.  We will just invent a fanciful story to entertain future generations.

The Ninomaru Garden behind the Nijo-jo Castle is a large-scale garden designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.  In the center of the pond is the Island of Eternal Happiness.  Ron and I are thinking we should start giving elegant names to the beautiful oases on our properties at home such as the Shore of Sandy Bliss at Fisher Lake and the Field of Endless Free Golf Balls at the PGA Village.

On our drive out of Kyoto back to Osaka, we saw many locals on the streets dressed in traditional costumes.   Kimono Rental Shops flourish here as many young people enjoy dressing up for special occasions.

DAY 40 — February 13, 2017 — Osaka, JAPAN

On our second day in Osaka we traveled to the beautiful Nara area, the first permanent capital of Japan and home to some of the largest and oldest Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.  

Construction of the Todaiji (Great Buddha) Temple was begun in in 743 and houses a colossal bronze statue of Buddha.  It burned to the ground a couple of times over the centuries and was last rebuilt in 1700.

Horyuji Temple Main Hall and 5 Story Pagoda

The buildings at Horyuji Temple are the oldest examples of wooden architecture in existence in the world.  It is considered the greatest of all Buddhist temples in Japan for its religious significance, artistic importance, and its continuity, surviving WWII intact.  The Japanese see the strength of harmonious spirit of the temple’s founder as concordant with the conscience of the world’s people which allowed it to survive and not get bombed to bits.

Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine was constructed in 768.  Its eerily beautiful landscape of 2000 moss covered stone lanterns must be even more mysterious when they are lit in August and February for festival celebrations.

1200 sacred deer run freely throughout Nara.  So accustomed are they to being fed by visitors, the # 1 death for the herd is choking on plastic wrappers.