Shop
Close 
LANGUAGE

New Day Herald

Japan Tour 2016 | Day 7

 
Grace descends upon us as we began our morning with group Spriritual Exercises in a Buddhist temple. The Daitokuji Obai-in is a beautifully appointed 450 year-old Buddhist sub-temple within the larger Daitokuji monastery complex. It is the head temple of the school of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Founded in 1319, Daitokuji has become linked to the master of the Japanese tea ceremony, Sen no Rikyu. It is home to various additional complexes, included 13th century artwork by the Chinese artist-monk Mu Qi. Obai-in is an autonomous sub temple of Daitokuji and within the complexes visitors can explore numerous gardens, outdoor wooden corridor walkways and teahouses.

As we strolled through the temple and gardens we came upon the tea training room, of which our very own Steve Beimel attends tea ceremony classes! The Zuiho-in garden is an authentic and traditional Japanese garden in the sub-temple of Zuiho-in in the complex of Daitokuji. The main garden is designed as a dry landscape and is notable for the sand raking that represents a rough sea. The garden is also enhanced by tall and pointy stones along with a small stone bridge. Within Zuiho-in there are a couple of tea rooms, which are at times used by the tea community for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.

After a morning of Spiritual Exercises, monks, and tea ceremonies it was time for lunch. After lunch, our next adventure is Noh Theater. Noh Theater is the world’s oldest continuously performed theater, with a history boasting back to at least six hundred years. Noh Theater specializes in classical Japanese musical dramas and is recognized by the unique characteristics notable throughout the performances. At the Noh Theater Workshop we were introduced to the general aspects of a Noh play, including their stylized movement, their musical instruments, their chanting (similar to Greek chorus), costumes and of course, their famous masks.

Day 7 | Touring Photos by David Sand


 

2 thoughts on “Japan Tour 2016 | Day 7”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *