On Tuesday after work I made a short trip to Sengakuji, the resting place of the 47 ronin. If you don't know the story, maybe this temple would not be significant to you, but to me it was an amazing experience that truly made me feel the samurai spirit.
(Okay, okay I'll tell those of you that don't know. The 47 Ronin are a group of samurai warrior who lost their lord and became ronin. They were ordered not to take revenge on the man responsible for their lord's death so they waited many years to do so and attacked when least expected. They presented the head of their enemy to their lord and then all committed honorable suicide for not following an order.)
At Sengakuji, one can see their tombs and also the well where they washed their enemy's head. Being in the cemetery made the whole event seem so real! I ran into a couple from DC who said that before they read about this temple they didn't even realize the story was an actual historic event!
(Okay, okay I'll tell those of you that don't know. The 47 Ronin are a group of samurai warrior who lost their lord and became ronin. They were ordered not to take revenge on the man responsible for their lord's death so they waited many years to do so and attacked when least expected. They presented the head of their enemy to their lord and then all committed honorable suicide for not following an order.)
At Sengakuji, one can see their tombs and also the well where they washed their enemy's head. Being in the cemetery made the whole event seem so real! I ran into a couple from DC who said that before they read about this temple they didn't even realize the story was an actual historic event!
Wednesday led me to Harajuku to meet with Kahori from Sakaeya again. This time she fitted me with a very beautiful kimono that when I manage to properly dress myself in I will have pictures of, but for now I do not.
If you are in Tokyo and at all interested in kimono of any sort, I would highly suggest this shop! Kahori is very helpful, speaks GREAT English, and doesn't rip you off like big department or chain stores. I can't speak enough kind words about her.
If you are in Tokyo and at all interested in kimono of any sort, I would highly suggest this shop! Kahori is very helpful, speaks GREAT English, and doesn't rip you off like big department or chain stores. I can't speak enough kind words about her.
On Saturday I headed to Mitake to meet up with the Josh's and a Japanese intern from IHI. We started our journey with delicious soba at a pretty restaurant overlooking a river that none of us Americans could have found ourselves. Then we set out to climb the mountain. But the rain was turning our path into slippery dangerous mud so we gave up the climb in favor of not getting hurt.
TIL: don't try to hike on days with high rain forecasts unless you are a well-prepped climber.
Instead of climbing, we headed to sawai which was one station away for some tasty Nihonshu (sake). Another reason why you should bring a Japanese with you, they know ALL of the great places!
After that we parted ways for a while and I headed to Harajuku to buy cookies before meeting back up with the group in Shibuya. From there we walked to Kitsune, a new bar/club/event space in the area, for a "Tokyo Party." I wasn't sure what to expect, but I paid Y1,000 for unlimited drinks for 3 hours and then got to chat with a bunch of Japanese people and foreigners alike. It was quite fun!
TIL: don't try to hike on days with high rain forecasts unless you are a well-prepped climber.
Instead of climbing, we headed to sawai which was one station away for some tasty Nihonshu (sake). Another reason why you should bring a Japanese with you, they know ALL of the great places!
After that we parted ways for a while and I headed to Harajuku to buy cookies before meeting back up with the group in Shibuya. From there we walked to Kitsune, a new bar/club/event space in the area, for a "Tokyo Party." I wasn't sure what to expect, but I paid Y1,000 for unlimited drinks for 3 hours and then got to chat with a bunch of Japanese people and foreigners alike. It was quite fun!
Then on Sunday I slept later than I have in a long time (!!!) and only managed to get some grocery shopping done even though I had wanted to go to a festival. That was a little upsetting, but it's okay because there are festivals happening more than every weekend for the rest of the month!!
Tanabata, a Night for Lovers
I actually heard someone call the celebration just that while at the temple. Why did they call it that you ask? Well let me tell you a little story. The princess Orihime, while weaving in the heavens became distraught that her work would make it impossible for her to love. Because of this and his love for his daughter, Orihime's father arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi who was a cow herder on the other side of the Milky Way. The two fell in love and were soon wed. But after their union, they focused so much on each other that they did not do their jobs. This angered Orihime's father who separated the two. The story goes that they are only able to meet each other once a year on the 7th day of the 7th month, Tanabata. Another belief about this story is that if it rains on Tanabata, the two will not be able to meet.
I believe I heard the monk leading the service say that because it was raining today in China, the lovers would not be able to meet. This is because there must be good weather in Japan, Korea, and China for it to occur. But either way the event was quite wonderful!
It was my first time to visit Zojoji and I'm not sure why (it is a 20 minute walk from work, and not far from the station I use every day...). Not only was I able to enjoy this temple, but I was also able to listen in on a daily Buddhist ceremony in the temple, write my wishes on a slip of colorful paper and tie them to a bamboo tree, take lots of photos, and enjoy the scenery of a temple just below Tokyo Tower and a lantern lighting event for the holiday.
All-in-all I am quite glad I went out to enjoy Tanabata even though I had to do so alone. Maybe someday.
I believe I heard the monk leading the service say that because it was raining today in China, the lovers would not be able to meet. This is because there must be good weather in Japan, Korea, and China for it to occur. But either way the event was quite wonderful!
It was my first time to visit Zojoji and I'm not sure why (it is a 20 minute walk from work, and not far from the station I use every day...). Not only was I able to enjoy this temple, but I was also able to listen in on a daily Buddhist ceremony in the temple, write my wishes on a slip of colorful paper and tie them to a bamboo tree, take lots of photos, and enjoy the scenery of a temple just below Tokyo Tower and a lantern lighting event for the holiday.
All-in-all I am quite glad I went out to enjoy Tanabata even though I had to do so alone. Maybe someday.
Well, until next time when I will be reporting about being at the highest elevation in all of Japan....
またね!
またね!