Another Sanctuary
(These pictures don’t begin to do justice to the colors, sounds, space, feeling, etc of the actual shrine but they’re something. If you want more pictures, ask me—I’ll email them to you.)
I went for a walk with one of the two teachers who live right below me (they came in September and November) on Sunday afternoon. We were ostensibly headed to Uniqlo for her to do some spring shopping; the fact that I bought something and she didn’t is immaterial! haha. Anyway, we walked north on the main road perpendicular to us (Tokushige), towards Toyota (ish), and it was already like escaping our suffocating surroundings. Just twenty minutes or so away! On the way we passed a tiny little road lined with sakura in full bloom. They continued to straddle a beautiful path and a steep staircase to a shrine at the top of a hill. It was so peaceful and yet so stirring at the same time. Just a few yards in, you could hear birds chirping, at last. Trees and random vegetation of all strata tumbled over each other up the hill, and the stone markers set up a peaceful rhythm up to the shrine. Although the shrine itself is too new to be that powerful an experience (built two years ago), the place itself was simply beautiful. Unbearably so with so many beautiful sakura in full bloom and the petals circling down just as the stereotypes dictate. Actually being with sakura trees makes you understand that all the hype is completely justified, no matter how many times people say it and how many people like it. The same is true of the jinja (shrines). It’s all kind of the same deal, but being there just does it for you immediately. I’m glad we went, especially since Hanami didn’t really work out for me. The shrine itself was nice enough, built somewhat in the Tokugawa-baroque style and looking all fresh and elegant. It just doesn’t have the bearing and dignity just yet. Anyway; I like the girl I was walking with and I loved this place, and I want to return as much as possible in the mornings before work. (By the way, I bought capri pants and a flexible-enough skirt for work. I’m a big child about work clothes; I get all excited) Then on the way back, she stopped by the florist to get a birthday present for her friend, and then I went on my merry way.
I had Vietnamese food for the first time for dinner, and then went by the usual bar. Saw the shi-shi international grocery that might have soymilk and cilantro in passing on the way. Will probably go back there one of these days. I’m looking forward to it, if in fact they do have all the organic stuff and international produce of which they boast!
Well, it was a wonderfully productive but long day, and I’m aching for my bed. Goodnight all!
Leave a Reply