My English Fortune

Bit bummed about this fortune! Travel - "Don't be in a hurry" WHAT? That's crazy talk. I liked my fortune I got in Nara much better, should have hung that one up instead of keeping it. O'well!

Random Beauty of Nikko

The water comes from the cave of Mt. Korei, which is located on the back side of Honden's main hall. People believe that the spring has two effects. First, that water might have a spiritual effect on eye disease and second, that water makes tasty sake.




Local sake brewers believe that spring water in the precinct of the shrines make tasty sake. They organized a group, and dedicated representative brands to the shrines. The group of sake brewers holds two festivals a year. One is to pray for the abundant product in October. Another festival is to reward the abundant product in May.

My obsession with DOORS and GATES

I’ve realized recently through my travels around Japan that I’ve developed an obsession with doors and gates. If you look through my collection of photos from places I’ve been you're bound to find a shot of one somewhere. I don’t know why!?! They just fascinate me!!!

Guardians of the Shrines

At most shrines in Japan, you'll see a pair of Shishi (lion-dogs; also called Koma-inu) traditionally standing guard outside the gates. In contrast, Buddhist temples are typically guarded by the Nio Protectors (Their fierce and threatening appearance wards off evil spirits and keeps the temple ground free of demons and thieves.), although it is not uncommon to find Shishi guarding temples as well. Furthermore, on the eaves of both shrine and temple roofs, one can frequently find carvings of this mythical beast.

Kamishinmichi

OFFERINGS OF LIGHT
in Japanese 灯明供養
（とうみょうくよう）The many stone lanterns are often used in lighting ceremonies associated with the deceased.

Kamishinmichi, where stone lanterns are located in a line.

Tokugawa's Grave

Ieyasu Tokugawa was born in the warring states period. He survived the chaos, and unified the entire country of Japan.
"Enshrine my dead body in Mt. Kuno (His hometown in Shizuoka prefecture) for the first year of the death. (Omission) And build a small shrine in Nikko and enshrine me as the God. I will be the guardian of Japan."
Ieyasu was dead on April 17th, 1616, when he was 75 years old. Ieyasu aimed to be the guardian of Japan. Nikko is located on the north of Edo. The north was considered as the taboo direction, where demons come into. Therefore, he wanted to place himself in the taboo direction in order to protect Japan from the evil things. He hoped long life of Tokugawa government and the eternal peace.

The shrines here were set in a grove of magnificent ancient Japanese cedars planted over a 20-year period during the 1600s by a feudal lord named Matsudaira Masatsuna. Some 13,000 of the original trees are still standing, adding a sense of dignity to the mausoleums and the shrines.
There are two trees near the Okusha-houtou, and these are called Kanousugi and Fu. The Kanousugi is believed that it makes your wish comes true.

They are such dorks!!!

Why??? Why do I still like Jun and his group Arashi???

Maybe b/c they annoy everyone else?
Maybe I just like dorks?

Anyways...their new song and music video is out:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5Z7D7j3rdIs&search=arashi

If you can watch the whole thing W/O laughing....Good for U!!

b/c I can't!