Yanaka and Asakusa

• Meaghanmcc's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Tokyo

Trip Start Sep 23, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Dec 21, 2008 Next
Entry

  Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Monday, October 13, 2008

Today I went with Reiko, Jimmy, and his wife to Yanaka for an art gallery tour. We followed a map around quiet, clean, and sunny streets ever so often descending down narrow stairs into artist's galleries and studios. The three we spent the most time in were of American's who had studied at Tokyo University's School of Arts and lived in Japan for as long as 25 years. Very amazing work indeed and they were very generous to allow me to take pictures. There is a temple on nearly every block in Yanaka, making is a very traditional and peaceful place to explore. One temple we went to there was a family having their picture taken with a newborn baby. The woman was in a kimono and everyone looked very happy. Jimmy tried to explain the tradition to me, but the father of teh family overheard Jimmy's struggling English and assisted with the description; 3 months after the baby is born, the family goes to a nearby temple to say some prayers are about the baby having a long healthy and successful life. Similar to baptisms, but these Japanese were not Christian. This is also the place where there is a picture of my praying. I threw money in the slot thing (same as the little boy is in another picture below) bowed twice, clapped twice, made my wish, and bowed one last time. I can't tell you what it is but I sure hope it comes true!
One of my favorite pictures is of Bill, the artist and English teacher of Reiko and Jimmy's wednesday classes, with his sculpture of George Bush's head. As you can see it has many many nails driven into it. VERY SYMBOLIC of Bush's fan club, so to speak. Another exhibit was these beautiful paintings of trees, flowers, water, and all things that I imagine my soul to look like. My jaw had dropped for the duration of the time I was taking pictures and listening to the woman tell us about the artists work (i was speechless). I had never before felt such love a first sight. I hope I feel the same way when I meet my mystery husband man- in the far future?
There are also some pictures of Kawaguchi in here, lack of time has led me to clump these ditties together. I took a walk to the neighborhood pool (strange experience that is- i think- the reason I became sick for a day) and the sunset on my walk home was spectacular.When life slows down and you are open to life as it comes to you, it is an amazing sensation embrace Being. Not just doing something, but internally digesting, circulating, and thinking about an experience or place. Reading A New Earth, visiting shrines, and drinking 5 cups of tea a day is making me think spiritually, but no harm in that, eh?

Wish you all were here with me!
~Meaghan
p.s. First test in 2 days! ehhh

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

Woodhouse Namiki has the tower on top!	like living in a painting	here is the protector of the building	2 suicides each month via trains.; sad, true.
tsuki-sama (moon)	chirashi is bowl of raw fish and rice	entering yanaka!	bobbing for rolls of cold jelly noodles?
skillful woodwork	you must clean hands before praying at temple	Jimmy san!	aw... kawaii
avelokateshvara or one of Buddhas deities	"love at first sight' gallery	Bill "killed" Bush	Neko ya (cat store)
narrow streets. yes cars use too	the love was mutual, i think.	japanese corgies	where the family was having the baby ceremony
praying for obama	cutest kids everywhere I go	the ladies and I	pretty, neh!
thunder lantern at Sensooji shrine	it does have an end, at the famous temple	there we are, in a sea of people.	BIG

Slideshow Print this entry Share Tokyo hotels

Previous Entry Next Entry