Tokyo and Kyoto - March 2002
(under construction)
Click on any photo to see a larger version... even larger versions are
available if you e-mail me
to do and see lots of different things, including a weekend trip to
Kyoto, which was a really beautiful city
Mount Takao
On the northwest outskirts of Tokyo, where the land startsgetting hilly, there's a small mountain with a complex of shrines
and temples on top. There is a sort of truce here between Bhuddism
and Shinto, and they coexist side-by-side. While there, I found out
that there was going to be a fire-walking ceremony the next weekend.
Little did I know I would be a participant! (see below)
Inari Fox statues |
Well, every religion has it's Precious Moments contingent, I suppose... |
Tengu (Takao)
Tengu are mountain demons, sometimes good, sometimes bad. But they are
are a very popular subject. Tengu can appear as crows, and young Tengu are
depicted with a crow's beak and a sword. Older tengu can appear as humans
but always with very long noses (so you can tell when you're talking to one :-)
Older tengu don't need a sword... they only need a fan with which they can
waft away evil, or bring you good luck
Ueno Park
Mt. Takao, Firewalking
Enoshima
Kamakura
Kyoto
Nijo Castle
misc
a Japanese Inn
Cherry Blossoms at Night
Sanzen-in
misc
Cherry Blossom Picnic
Farewell Dinner
Uenohara
Misc
