Click here for today’s photo slideshow from Japan.
Our ryokan is like a magic maze. There are many doors and windows and many hallways. Thank goodness there are signs that tell us where to go. This is an old building renovated; it used to be a brothel in ages past. Look out one window and you see a beautiful garden; look out another and there is water and Koi fish.
We do Spiritual Exercises this morning. I am filled to overflowing; tears of gratitude keep spilling over. It is our last day doing Spiritual Exercises in this way together. The Traveler stops in to share some words from John-Roger. We are happy to hear and see John Morton as he is just about ready to depart for his journey back to Los Angeles. Staying present we keep him in our hearts as we go through our day today.
In taxis we go for a drive away from the town into the mountains. We are visiting Takashi and Taki San (the son of Takashi). Takashi is a world renowned potter – he is an artist – and he is at home. Taki San is following in his father’s way, though making his own mark as a potter. Taki San tells us that today their kiln is being opened; he is a little anxious to see how their work will turn out. We watch as the kiln is opened. We see the treasures that have been created and fired. Sometimes over 80% of what is fired is thrown away; the other 20% is treasured and priced that way. The pieces are indeed beautiful. We are excited to buy something from the father’s hands and something from the son. The mountain scenery is alive today with the wind; it is a gorgeous backdrop for the artists’ studio.
We go to visit another potter, Hashamoto, who is a fine craftsman. We are shown the difference between an artist and a craftsman’s work. He is gracious, telling us about his kiln and craft. We are served tea as we study and pick out from his creations what we will buy.
Soon it is time to leave. It is also time to say goodbye to Carol Barger who departs for her home in Texas. Carol has been one of the “gear team” that is divided into the “gear girls” (Deborah Martinez, MaryAnn Rubino Downs, Liz Bixby and Carol Barger) and the “Gear Guys” (Richard Powell and David Allen). These tenacious troopers porter the battery packs, tripod, camera case, cable and transmitters from site to site throughout the trip. We thank them for their generous service that make it Light work for all.
We all escort Carol to the Karatsu train station. Now it’s time for lunch on our own and shopping at the community craft center. Lunch is an adventure without Stevie San to translate. Some of us manage to find tempura, rice and miso soup with sign language, picture pointing and pidgin Japanese. This is followed by exquisite mochi and macha at a nearby tea shop where a merry threesome – Richard Powell, Paul Kaye and Steve San have discovered a new mochi. Mochi is this sweet that consists of a sweet like chocolate, or green tea or bean in the middle surrounded by a wrapping made of rice flour that has an indescribable feel – you just have to taste it. We decide that the quintessential mochi today, discovered by Paul Kaye, is a cafe au lait mochi. It goes beyond the beyond on the sensation meter for all the mochi aficionados. We are in taste ecstasy. We remind each other that we have to stay present and let go of each experience so we have room for the next great experiences that keep coming.
Next on the adventure itinerary is a walk back to our hotel. Our journey takes us through the town of Karatsu, past the sea and the castle, a mock-up of a 16th century feudal lord’s castle. The sea air, sun and breeze again bring a healing caress, not to mention some much needed exercise and way to work off that sensation-laden mochi. On the way Steve tells us a portion of a poem he wrote for John Morton. We are touched for it is true for each of us. We reach our ryokan and Steve San tells us we have just enough time for a bathroom break, a sip of tea, and then it’s time to put on our jackets, bring our radios and go out for a nature walk.
We wonder what kind of nature will we see. We start out and after a few blocks, we find ourselves by the sea of Japan again. Enya is playing (this has become the theme music for this trip); we walk with this rich melody and rhythm carrying us along. We dance, glide, smile, laugh. We are present with nature by the sea – the smell of salt water is intoxicating. We converge in a forest of trees planted bent by the wind – the trees have been planted by the community. We dance again, rest, do waraku and embrace in the woods. Ah, we get a chocolate mochi surprise – a gift from Yoko Ono – a miniature picnic. Now we retrace our steps. We are vibrated by the wind and the sound of Enya. This is a precious time. Back at our ryokan we disperse for bathing and preparation for dinner.
A feast of fish is presented and then we have quiet time while Mishimoto plays the flute for us. I’m finding it hard to stay in my body; I want to float with the music. We thank Steve for his complete dedication to serving us and the Spirit and sharing with us his love of Japan. We thank Paul for his guiding us through the Zen of Spirit. We thank Deborah for her orchestrating the sound and video and for her perseverance and endurance. We thank the gear team. We do a final sharing of haikus and gentle reflections; we are very sweet with each other. Quietly we go to our rooms to pack and to rest. Tomorrow is a long transition and travel day on three trains and a plane. Thank you for your loving and Light that you all have held for each of us. Please keep it going as we come back to you.
“Your humbleness is
the fruit of the vine from God.
Let me taste of it.”
-from Angel
