Maduoka Castle and Eihiji Temple

Fukui Prefecture or state was our latest adventure.  We went with a group by bus.   There were two sweet people who kind of stuck by us and translated for us.  One told us that he had actually translated for President Hinckley in the past. That would be an awesome experience.  Most of the people, by the way, were senior citizens.  Sister Kondo, for instance, who invited us to go on this outing, is 79.  She can keep up with me just fine.  Most Japanese seniors are full of vim and vigor.  

The cherry blossoms were about done in Nagoya
but this area is further north and in the mountains.

We had a nice visit with people around us as we rode, and listened to nearly constant talking from our uniformed hostess on the bus.  We stopped at rest stops both on the way there and back, where we saw several busses parked and several cutely dressed hostesses waiting for their people to re-board their bus.  By the way, nearly every working person in Japan wears a uniform, from gas station attendant to businessman in his suit.  City workers, store clerks, school children, and about anyone else you can think of.   

One of the sisters in our ward looked perfect
 in her beautiful kimono of pink.

Maruoka Castle

Put your rifle through one of these slots and kill those bad guys.
(If they had rifles then.)

If there's not a war to fight, it's an awesome view.

Our first major stop was at Maruoka Castle.  Castles in Japan were never used as homes, from what I understand.  They were put in high places and used as forts.  One could shoot arrows or spears or bullets and throw things down.  They were used for war.  This one is the oldest continuously standing castle


in Japan.  It was very sturdy, filled with huge beams and boards, and it made me wonder how they ever got those huge things up there so high on this little hill or big rock.  The stairs up to the castle were very steep, and then inside, there were two more levels to climb.  These were small boards on a trap door.  We had a rope that we could also hang on to as we went up and down.  I was amazed at how the senior people managed these so well.

The steps on this ladder were about 2-3 inches wide.

Double-click on these photos to see more detail.
The sakura is everywhere, making the view pink and green
for forever.

Inside the top level, there were many pictures of various castles and a great view of the area.  I learned there are about 200 castles in Japan.  

 The sakura, as well as fountains and other park features were beautiful.  It was really nice.  

I can just imagine someone running up these stairs
 and being pushed back down them in a war.

Our bus tour group.  

This cute man is the one who used to translate for
President Hinckley.  He was so sweet to
stay by us and explain things.

An ancient casket.

A couple of genuine Japanese natives.

See the koi?

Weeping Sakura, many more petals
 than the standard 5 and a deeper color. 

Lunch time on the floor.
We are sitting on mats like the ones behind us.
No place for feet but under you.

Next stop was Eiheiji temple, the “temple of eternal peace,” one of Soto Zen’s two head temples. It is in an incredibly beautiful spot in the mountains, and is surrounded by forest, waterfalls, mossy giant redwoods and other large trees, and too many monuments or pagodas or such things to count.

See the princess in a pea pod? (Just making that up.)
See her frog prince?

Here's a closeup of the prince.

The founder of this kind of Zen was born in 1200.  This is the largest training center for Zen Priests.  There were a lot of young, good looking men, all with their heads shaved and in matching kimono robes, just about the same age as our missionaries, practicing the rights of Zen.  We were asked not to take pictures of them.  I thought that they would be a lot happier at the MTC than here at the (as Lee put it) ZTC.  Some people in our group said they work them very hard and feed them vegetarian food in very small portions.  It is a very well disciplined group.

Priests in training are given a tatami mat, about 1 by 2 meters.  (I’m now quoting from a booklet they gave us.)  Each priest is given just one mat and that is where he sits and thinks, eats, and sleeps.  Talking or reading are never allowed in this room. Daily morning, midday, and evening services are held another hall. On one alter in this hall are four white lions (shishi) called the “a-un-no shishi”.  “a” means opening the mouth, teaching by words, and the “un” means closing the mouth, teaching by actions.  I like that idea.

The story goes that the priests in training clean these stairs every day.
They were shiny clean, so it may be true.

So much beauty--everywhere you looked.

Priests shave their heads every fifth day (every time the date contains a 4 or 9). In the morning, trainees shave each other’s heads and in the afternoon they enjoy a bath.  Before the bath, each priest makes three bows while reciting, “We bathe vowing to benefit all beings, may our bodies and minds be purified both inwardly and outwardly.”  They are not allowed to talk during the bath. 

This is the founding Zen priest.
He looks a little scary to me and it looks like
shaving wasn't part of the ritual then!

This is beautiful cherry wood
surrounding the room with the painted ceiling.

The grounds are in perfect condition, immaculately kept.  We were able to walk through some of the buildings and hallways, and they are shiny clean , artistic, and very nice.  They don’t look as old as they are.  My favorite room was the reception hall.  It has a ceiling that I wish I could make into a quilt.  It had 230 panels on the ceiling, each with a painting of a bird or flower, the work of 144 leading Japanese artists.  It was beautiful.

This one paragraph description of Zen sums it up well:  “There is an extremely easy way to become Buddha.  Refraining from all evils, not clinging to birth and death, working in deep compassion for all sentient beings, respecting those over you and pitying those under you, without detesting or desiring, worrying or lamentation—this is what is called Buddha.  Do not search beyond it.”

Many Buddhist shrines we have been in have lots of
intricate gold hanging from the ceilings.

These "gentlemen" and two more opposite them
guard the entrance to one of the buildings.
They are pretty intimidating.

We had one more stop that was so fascinating that I have to make it a separate blog.  So, more to come.

Meanwhile, here are a couple more hair salons:  "Last Hope Hair" and "Clear of Hair".  I might try Last Hope Hair if I were really down, but I hope I never have to go to "Clear of Hair."