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Japan Tour 2016 | Day 8

 
For the early morning risers, a special 5:30 am chanting service was available. Chishakuin Temple is the head temple of the Shingon Buddhism Chizan Sect and is the less conventional choice for travelers. It has beautiful Shoheki-ga panel paintings considered national treasures, as well as a beautifully maintained garden. The temple is centered on a beautiful, glass like pond that extends under the temple. Chishakuin has a history dating back to the 14th century and was established in 1598. It is the center of Buddhist learning and training and is composed of over forty monks. There is a morning chanting service that is followed by a fire ceremony where the prayers of individuals are written on wooden sticks and then burned.

For those of us who need some coffee in the morning before we kick started our day at a bright 8:00 am. We ventured off to Kitayama Monolith which is a beautiful event facility built in contemporary Japanese architectural-style. It is often the venue for weddings and other special events. Kitayama Monoloth also serves high end fine dining cuisines against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery.

We gathered in the beautiful glass venue as John shared with the group. After sharing a beautiful lunch was served and only to be surprised again by Taiko Drummers! WOW!

For those who love to hike the next stop was a mountain climb. For the rest of us we enthusiasticly went shopping in Kyoto. Northwest of Kyoto looms Mt. Kurama, a stretching mountain of nearly two thousand feet. What makes it particularly notable, however, is the legends behind it. Mt. Kurama is said to be the birthplace of the Reiki practice, a holistic healing art. Reiki is said to have been developed when Mikao Usui meditated on Mt. Kuruma for 21 days and received healing powers. Mt. Kuruma is also the birthplace of Sojobo, the mythical King of the Tengu. The Tengu, legendary creatures found in Japanese folk religion, are said to have taught swordsmanship to Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a famous war general from the early Heian and late Kamakura periods.

Day 8 | Touring Photos by David Sand


 

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