January
14, 2005 - Kyoto (Day 3 - Diana' s writings, Laura's photos)
Garden guide leading the way, "Hmmm...Where are we?"
Lunch guide translating a menu, "Hmmm... What is this stuff?"
Toilet guide...
Street art...
For our first day in Kyoto, we wandered through the historic Gion geisha district and found Kennin-ji temple. We were basically alone there, except for the gardeners and monks. Large painted dragons graced the ceiling and a raked gravel garden was ours for viewing while we sat in the sun. Laura learned about Daruma who brought Buddhism to Japan from India. We all speculated whether or not he had actually cut off his own eyelids so he would not fall asleep during meditation.
After that, we headed towards the wooden Kiyomizu-deru (‘pure water’) temple. Sacred waters, believed to have healing powers, flow out of the mountain and into the waiting cups of anyone willing to dish out 200 yen for the experience. Tim and Laura each had a go at it. We all took turns guiding each other on a path between two large stones with our eyes closed. Touching the final stone would ensure our success in love. (We all made it.)
From there, we followed the narrow, shop-lined streets of Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, past young maiko geisha (apprentice geisha) who were dressed in traditional Japanese kimono and white facial makeup. We made a brief stop at Kodai-ji temple and several of the tiny shops we passed along the way. Laura picked up a Hello Kitty souvenir for Gayle Grything.
We were lucky enough to go by Chion-in temple and stop at our favorite little tea house. Inside, we sat by a warm kerosene heater, sipped roasted tea and treated Laura to a cold red bean and gelatin dish (anmitsu.) Tim and I put back some warm, sweet and thick sake (amasake). We all admired the rustic wooden walls, the view, and the red pillows that padded our seats. It was enough to send us into a dream state. We lazily returned to Gion and boarded the subway headed towards home.
January
14, 2005 - Kyoto
graceful creature
‘pure water’ with therapeutic powers
copper doors
giant grapefruit in a serene setting
jizo statues representing the souls of dead children
looking forward to spring
smokey sake at our favorite tea shop
notes for my house design file!
Tim and Laura warm up
the never-ending changing of shoes
a horizontally trained pine. I love the rich color of the bark.
Gion resident
window shopping for pottery… my new favorite hobby.
a lovely wooden door
