I thought perhaps we might take a little break before the next chapter on the Japanese Incense Ceremony (Kodo) and in this brief intermission show you my favorite spot in Japan.
I saw many wonderful temples and Shoguns Castles when I was in Japan. Myoshin ji and and Nara were overwhelming, and the Shogun’s Castle in Kyoto was fascinating, not to mention the restaurant at the gate which Nakata San said was the most famous tofu in Japan. It is the only time I’ve liked tofu in my life, this was amazing. I never had sushi before my trip, it’s not easy getting a Southern boy to eat raw anything that’s not fruit or vegetable. However, after being introduced to sashimi and sushi by Nakata San I ventured into a stand in the fish market at 4:00 a.m. and managed to order where nobody spoke English.
Nansu ji is a small temple tucked away amid Sakai City and on our visit we only saw two other people besides the aspirant monk kneeling at the door and on occasion told by the monks he should go away, he would not be let in. He would be there three days on his knees on hard boards, allowed in only at night for some rice and a short nap.
Nanshu ji is small and perhaps not very impressive to most people but I loved the place as soon as we entered. Inside you will find the markers for Sen no Rikkyu’s and Tokono Joo’s ashes. There is a three or four mat tea room built by Rikyu and this is where they both practiced. It so impressed me the feeling I had there is still with me after six years.
I hope these few pictures will bring to you some sense of what it was like.
Entrance
Grave Markers
Zen Rock Garden
Butsandan with Statue of Monju (Manjusri)
Zendo
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