MORE INFO + PICTURES TO BE ADDED LATER!
1. On our way to the 1937 self-built home of Kawai Kanjiro, a 20th-century master potter, we stumbled upon a small pottery shop. Although it was closed, pottery was left outside on shelves and tables, with only a coin box and sign that read “Pay the price, please.” We paid 500 yen to enter Kawai’s surprisingly large house—two stories with a courtyard, and a massive kiln with six firing rooms, each at least 6 feet tall and 12 feet wide. A shimenawa was placed above it, as well as over the door of a first-floor tatami room with a writing desk in front of the window. Paper covered walls complimented the dark wood of the house, which was dotted with his pottery, incredible wood furniture, and friendly animal shaped statues.
2. Leaving the home of Kawai Kanjiro, we came upon Toyokuni Shrine with an impressively large black bell suspended bemeath a gated pagoda. Walking through the rest of the grounds, we came across the gate marking the entrance to the temple, and a few professional photographers dressed in black setting up tripods nearby amongst the rest of the few tourists walking around. After waiting for awhile in the sweltering heat, we watched as a small wedding procession made its way through a gated entry way and went onto the center of the temple opening before the bride, groom, and rest of the family took seats as Shinto priests began some ceremonial rituals. After snapping a few furtive pictures, we decided to move on to our next stop after disappointingly being unable to find the so-called "Ear Hill" on the temple grounds.
3. While attempting to find our next stop on the map, we came upon a children's playground as mentioned in our reading. Stopping for a brief moment to appreciate the teeter-totters and paint-chipped monkey bars, we suddenly noticed the green grassy mound and granite statue that marked Mimizuka, or the infamous "Ear Hill" gruesomely named after Japanese military general Toyotomi severed the ears and noses of his Korean military victims during the 16th century. After taking a picture of the landmark, we continued onward.
1. On our way to the 1937 self-built home of Kawai Kanjiro, a 20th-century master potter, we stumbled upon a small pottery shop. Although it was closed, pottery was left outside on shelves and tables, with only a coin box and sign that read “Pay the price, please.” We paid 500 yen to enter Kawai’s surprisingly large house—two stories with a courtyard, and a massive kiln with six firing rooms, each at least 6 feet tall and 12 feet wide. A shimenawa was placed above it, as well as over the door of a first-floor tatami room with a writing desk in front of the window. Paper covered walls complimented the dark wood of the house, which was dotted with his pottery, incredible wood furniture, and friendly animal shaped statues.
2. Leaving the home of Kawai Kanjiro, we came upon Toyokuni Shrine with an impressively large black bell suspended bemeath a gated pagoda. Walking through the rest of the grounds, we came across the gate marking the entrance to the temple, and a few professional photographers dressed in black setting up tripods nearby amongst the rest of the few tourists walking around. After waiting for awhile in the sweltering heat, we watched as a small wedding procession made its way through a gated entry way and went onto the center of the temple opening before the bride, groom, and rest of the family took seats as Shinto priests began some ceremonial rituals. After snapping a few furtive pictures, we decided to move on to our next stop after disappointingly being unable to find the so-called "Ear Hill" on the temple grounds.
3. While attempting to find our next stop on the map, we came upon a children's playground as mentioned in our reading. Stopping for a brief moment to appreciate the teeter-totters and paint-chipped monkey bars, we suddenly noticed the green grassy mound and granite statue that marked Mimizuka, or the infamous "Ear Hill" gruesomely named after Japanese military general Toyotomi severed the ears and noses of his Korean military victims during the 16th century. After taking a picture of the landmark, we continued onward.
5.Rokuharamitsu-ji
When we arrived the shrine, it seemed like there was a ceremony happening inside. So we chose to stay outside just watching. People were reciting the scriptures with music which is very peaceful to enjoy that moment. Sometimes when we come to a new environment, we want to keep distance from some local and traditional event. We might feel a little bit scare about offend somebody. Standing beside and watching might be the most appropriate way to show our respects to local people.
6.Yurei Kosodate Ame (the haunted sweet shop)
When we leave from the shrine, we start to look for the next place --Yurei Kosodate Ame which is a candy shop. But we just kept doing here or there, couldn't find it. Finally, there is a couple who used their phone to help us locate the shop which is just in front of us. We didn't notice that is the shop we've been looking for. And there is no English word in front of the gate. Before we enter to the shop, we still not sure that is the right place. When we just talking in front of the gate, the owner was very welcoming to open the door and let us try their candy. I asked the same question as the author did. The owner let us in and brought us a piece of paper which has the english horrify story on it. We couldn't imagine this small shop only sales one kind of candy and had been passed down in the family for over 20 generations. I am not sure how do they earn the enough money from the candy, but it was very impressive they can keep this story in this long time.
8. We arrived at Rokudō Chinnō-ji, and no one was around except for two workers tending to the trees. This set off an uncomfortable yet hilarious exchange when we found a small building with no openings except for a hole out of which a rope hung, which when pulled, rings a bell to pay respect to one’s ancestors. The mysterious rope was irresistible to Allison. We debated whether or not it was okay to ring the bell without the appropriate intent. Eventually, she coaxed Dan into ringing the bell with her because “her ancestors are nearby,” while the rest of us laughed and backed away at the same time. They dropped some yen in the box, bowed and clapped, and pulled the rope, making a quiet sound that the two workers hardly even noticed.
Gojo-zaka Area
Sarasque & Co.
Walking and chatting with my group we stumbled upon what appeared to be just a great little store but little to our dismay this turned out to be the exact location we were seeking. Vintage whatnots might be the best description I can find however my classmate Allison had her mind made up the moment she walked that this place was without a doubt, her favorite store in the world. She danced through the store with a great big smile as though it were her own unfamiliar bedroom. Convincing all on lookers that she was unapologetically gonna take half the store back to Chicago on departure day. After investigating the interior of the store we went out to the streets to peek around the outskirts where there we found a huge red sign on the side of the building with the name Sarasque & Co..
Kennin-ji
Entering this space was such a pleasure because the ending of the day was heavy upon us and it felt as though we needed an uplifting of some sort. The entry was well manicured but not overly done. There wasn’t many people there so that was a delight to be able to enjoy a moment amongst ourselves while Allison read to us. The wood facades of the buildings seemed less cared for then our earlier shrine visits like Ise but that older character was appealing in most instances. The size of this shrine didn’t seem overwhelming but enough to cover in a short distance, “compact” some might even say.
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