Shrines and Serenity in Japan

2 min

Since my first visit to Japan as a teenager in 1959, I have felt a powerful connection to its culture, aesthetics and people. In the years since, I have been back more times than I can recall. It seems I simply cannot stay away too long.

As much as I enjoy the vibrant cacophony of modern, urban Japan, I am particularly drawn to its venues of timeless serenity. The many ancient shrines have a palpable air of peace and presence. And a stay in a ryokan, or traditional inn, always revives my spirits.

Here are few highlights of a trip I took in May of 2009. Most of the photos are taken by Andre Fasciola.

See more photo galleries here.

There's nothing like the serenity of a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Note the kotatsu, a low wooden table covered with a futon. A heat source beneath heats the space under the table; the surrounding comforter holds in the warmth. Putting your legs under such a table is a wonderful way to keep warm efficiently. It works especially well if you are wearing a traditional samue, as I am. The heat rises through the garment's open bottom and exits the neck, keeping the whole body warm. But on this pleasant May evening, extra heat was not necessary.
A view of the Kushida shrine. It was built in 757, during the reign of Emperor Koken.
In shrine's yard grows an 800-year-old ginkgo tree.The tradition of wrapping tree trunks or adorning branches of special trees is a visual statement that says, We honor this tree and respect its vital presence. It is often done with fiber rope , natural ribbon, or fabric.
In front of the tree is this venerable stone. It was used as an anchor on one of the ships commanded by Kublai Khan in his failed attempt to conquer Japan in the late 13th century.
My wonderful interpreter Yoshiko, my friend Andre Fasciola, and me. We're standing in front of the Kushida Shrine in the heart of old Hakata, a ward of Fukuoka City.
In mid-July the shrine hosts the Oiyama event of the Yamakasa-gion festival. Hundreds of men clad only in loincloths carry heavy wooden shrines through the streets over a set route, each trying to achieve the fastest time.
At a lovely shrine on the outskirts of Osaka.