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After
walking for long distances on gravel, the quietness of walking
on paved stone was a bit un-nerving. It was probably planned
that way. There is a holy water basin area outside the main
gate. You are susposed to rinse your hands and mouth from
the water basin. It is called the "Temizusha". Don't
put your lips on the provided dippers tho.
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Here is another shot of
another young girl being lead from the shrine by her mother.
There are weeks in Japan that are used to celebrate the daughters
and sons of families. This must have been "Daughter Week".
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A shot of a prayer rope
stretched between two trees. I tried to sit down on the steps
for a minute to rest...but one of the guards came by and told
me that I couldn't sit. Oh well...I guess hardship and sore
feet make the tourist and the monk stronger!
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A shot of the main gate
from the inside. When you are in front of the Main Shrine,
you are susposed to throw some coins into the box there, bow
twice, clap your hands twice, and then bow again. Then make
a short prayer or request.
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Here is a shot of one
of the stone bridges leading to and from the shrine....
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How did Teresa and myself
magically get in this picture....who took the shot?
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The next day before Thanksgiving
Lunch, we toured the Aoyama Cemetary located behind the Hardy
Barracks. It's a huge, hundred plus acres of ancient tombs.
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Here is a large monument
to the lost sailors of Japan's Navy.
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All of the tombs were
fascinating. A few were in english, or french, but 99.9% were
in Japanese. Different styles, looks, etc. Nice paths, lots
of trees, even wandering friendly cats.
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Here is a cool one with
a stone set of Torii gates and a stone mountain.
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Stone lanterns surround
th is one.
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This one has a tall pagoda
temple look...
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Most of the tomb areas
were about 30 by 40 feet, and the urns of ashes are under
the crypts. Dozens of people and generations can be put into
the family crypt area, and were!
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Here is me and Teresa
at Thanksgiving Dinner at the New Sanno. Good food, fantastic
Service!
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Later that night we went
to Ginza...the "Rodeo Drive" of Japan. Expensive,
lots of big glass buildings, lights, shops and resturaunts.
It was getting a bit windy and cold tho...so it was time to
head home and back to Misawa.
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