Kage mane no jutsu

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  Nara, Kinki, Japan
Saturday, April 11, 2009

Konbanwa my friends,

The last two days have provided life-changing moments in my life.  Yesterday, I visited the famed Himeji Castle.  Often considered the most beautiful representation of Japanese architecture, and let me tell you, it is a title well-earned.  Seeing it just as the sakura were at their brightest was a dream come true.  To walk where the Shoguns of the past once walked.  To see the infamous *well of Okiku*, and to think of the legend surrounding it (please google it if you`re interested in the tale).  And, to take the tiny seed of an idea, formulate a plan, prepare all that is necessary, and patiently wait for it to finally blossom, well, that is something I rarely do.  I am happy to report that it was totally worth it!

Today, I traveled to the town of Nara.  If Himeji is the greatest man has to offer in Japan, Nara is definately the greatest  Mother Nature has to offer.  The park of Nara is the ancestral home of the long-lived Nara Clan (aptly named!).  Among thousands of trees of various types, sits a five-story pagoda, a shinto shrine, giant gates, and of course the largest wooden structure ever erected in the world.  Inside this magnificent wooden structure sits a giant buddha.  The detail, intricacy, and care used in building these ancient constructs is even pain-staking to imagine.  I could feel the ghosts of the past all around me.  The ceremonies that must have been held there...the pilgrims that must have traveled there (and are still coming).  It is a lot to take in.  But, as amazing as these things were it was the park-grounds which impressed me the most.  No, let me rephrase that.  It was Mother Nature`s constructs that impressed me the most.  The beauty of the ancient trees.  The sakura shedding their petals like tears.  The sound of the wind blowing through the leaves.  The forest-green waters.  And, to top it all off...the dozens of pensive deer surrounding the park-grounds.  Legend has it that the *Nara Deer* are the protective spirits of the Nara Clan.  They are said to have lived in harmony with humans for hundreds of years!

I don`t know if that is true, but today I lived in harmony with them that is for sure.  From feeding them, petting them, and even exchanging customary bows.  It definately felt like they were more than simple animals.  It`s very hard to describe.  One even came right up to me and stared me in the eyes.  Why would a deer ever do that?  And, for a second, looking into its eyes, well, I don`t know how to put it into words.  But, it was scary and peaceful all at once.  The deer of Nara seem to be always watchful, and always nearby.

From experiences like that, it`s easy to imagine why such legends have sprung up around them.

I am reminded of a line from American Beauty *In those moments it feels like you're
looking at God, and if you're really careful, you can feel God looking
right back at you.*  It feels like I definately had that sort of experience the last couple days.

Lately, I feel like there is a whole world out there that I`ve been missing.  That if I just take a little more time, and be patient, and listen not with my ears, but some other part of me that can hear...well, I feel like I can understand this *other* world.

Call me crazy, some times I feel crazy thinking about this stuff!  But, I am really glad for these experiences.  I think this is what this *quest* was all about in the first place.  Today, I feel...somehow...complete.

As a little boy, I once told my Grandmother that I could hear *The Angel`s Choir*.  And, I once shared with Wendy (my ex-girlfriend, and current closest friend) that I could hear a whispering in the trees.  I can`t hear angels, but I can definately hear the whispering of the trees once more.  It feels like I`ve come home.

I hope this post makes some sense to you all.  I`m not entirely sure it does to me. ha ha.

Tomorrow:  A day of rest in beautiful Osaka.  Then I`m off to Kyoto.

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