Ode to Silver

Ode to Silver:

I call her National Silver

How I know it is a female I don't know

National is the brand name of the bike

I almost lost her at Higashihanazono station

Someone moved her and I couldn't find her in the dark

I tied pink string to the handlebars so I could find her easily

She only goes three speeds

Normal for flat surfaces

Slow when she goes uphill

Fast when she goes downhill

She has increased my travel distance by an order of magnitude

She's taken me to downtown Osaka, up the mountain toward Ikoma, north to the library and south to the road  to Fuse

Today we took a tumble

I was impatient to get by an old lady on a three wheeler

I went to cross over to the other side and hit a curb

The bike went down and I broke the bell

I knew the front brakes were suspect but I hadn't gotten around to fixing them

I know there is a metaphor about shutting the barn doors after the horse has left

But I took it to the bike store and replaced the front brakes and gave her a new bell

Thanks for your service Silver and high ho Silver away!!!!!!!!

Nara Todai-ji Temple

Nara Todai-ji Temple:  The Todai-ji temple is made entirely of wood and is 159.89 feet tall, 187.03 feet long, and 165.61 feet deep.  It was built in the 8th century by Emperor Shomo but burned down twice.   It was rebuilt in 1709 and is 2/3rds of the original size.

Purification by incense before going into the temple.

Walkway leading to Todai-ji temple.

The Octagon Lantern in front of the temple.  

Nara's Vairocana statue popularly known as the Giant Buddha from the entryway of the Diabutsuden Hall.

Nara's giant Buddha (Daibutsu) is the largest brass Buddha in the world.  It is 48.9 feet tall and can hold 14 smallish (this word is from the guidebook) people in his palm.  He is sitting on a lotus petal that is 10 feet tall bringing the sculpture to almost 60 feet!  He weighs 250 tons and was created by the Korean Kimimaro.

A close-up of his hand.

  

Kokuuzo-botsatsu - the attendant to the left of the Giant Buddha, symbolizes wisdom.

Nyoirin-kannon - the attendant to the right of the Giant Buddha, grants wishes.

In the rear of the temple is a hole the size of the Buddha's nostril.  If you can slip through it you will pass through to paradise.

I will have to get to paradise the old fashion way!

Nara Kofukuji

Nara Kofuku-ji:

The five story pagoda is the second highest in Japan at 164 feet.  it was originally built in 730 but burned down five times.  It was most recently built in 1426.

Dwarfed by the five story pagoda, this lovely octagon shaped shrine was left out of the guidebook.  I felt very connected to it.  It was more accessible due to its smaller size.

The bell for calling the monks for service.

Banners leading down the southern steps.

The pagoda from the south side near Sarusawa pond.

The pagoda during the Light Up Promenade, August 5th, 2014.

Kimono

Kimono: Kimono are beautiful from the front especially with their intricate patterns.

I think they look far better on women than men.

They are elegant from the side.

She looks so beautiful and timeless petting the deer.

But my favorite view is from the back.   A beautifully coordinated obi, expertly tied in a bow is exquisite.

Very chic.

Look how lovely the red and yellow bow is accentuating her figure.  Beautiful!

Blue Tiles

Blue Tiles:   I love the blue tiles on this building.   I have only seen three building with them on it so far.   The tiles are a traditional shape but I have never seen them this color.   The roof of the building next to the manicured tree is very appealing to me visually.   More blue tile roofs to come.....

The Great Pumpkin

The Great Pumpkin:  Every year Charlie Brown went to the pumpkin patch to wait for "The Great Pumpkin".  It never came.   Mayu in her best Vanna White impression is holding up a combo Japanese/American pumpkin made by one of the children.   American pumpkins are typically orange and Japanese pumpkins are typically green.  It is a good metaphor for Mayu, who is bilingual.  

We've made pumpkin bread, 

pumpkin cheesecake,

and, pumpkin pudding.

Then we made pumpkin bead again.   This one turned out better than last time because the top isn't too brown.   Let Charlie Brown know the pumpkin is in Japan.

Poltergeist

Poltergeist:  When I was a teenager there was a very scary movie about a haunted house called Poltergeist.  I went to see it about 12 times.  It was so ceeepy but oddly fascinating.  In an effort to save money the construction company that built the housing development moved the headstones of a graveyard, but not the remains.  So the house was haunted by Poltergeist.  They could move objects across the counter, throw things, and tried to suck the youngest child of the family into a closet containing a vortex.   My scary movie days are over because it invites creepyness into my subconscious.   When I walked back from the park I found a graveyard.   The pig-like stones are wearing pink aprons.   

Here is a close up view.   The pots are for placing incense sticks, offerings.

Some relatives place flowers on the stones.   This graveyard is next to my apartment.  Keep you fingers crossed that their are no Poltergeist.  I am oddly, not creeped out about living next to a cemetery.

This was the oddest offering I saw.   Sitting on the stone is an empty beer can.   I guess this person really loved beer when he or she was alive!