Bando to Anraku-ji, Day 2 of 8

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 14:43:28 -0700

N.B. I was in a mood when I wrote this, so it will differ from the rest of my posts somewhat. Additionally, some of the more interesting photos would have been within the temple grounds. But as those are active places of worship, it is rude to take photos. So I’ve tried to make due with what interesting sights I could outside of the temples themselves.

First day of the pilgrimage and it’s already too hot out as I leave. Thankfully the first temple is conveniently located next door. I’ve read up on the proper etiquette in temples, but first need my pilgrim’s gear, the most important of which (to me at least) is the nokyo-cho book wherein, after having prayed to/paid your respects to that temple’s main deity and then to a separate hall dedicated to the Great Teacher or Kōbō Daishi,¹ pilgrims can obtain a unique nokyo shuin² at each temple. And if there’s one thing I love, it’s a passport stamp (literally and figuratively). Whilst here I also purchase a kongo-zue³ and a nenju.⁴

Osaka to Bando, Day 1 of 8

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:49:49 -0700

Finding Joy in the Journey and Embracing Japanese Culture

“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’”

–Kurt Vonnegut

As I embark on a long journey from Osaka to Bando via four different trains and multiple hours of travel time, I can’t help but be reminded of this poignant quote. Gazing out the window at the rural Japanese countryside flying by, it becomes abundantly clear how Hayao Miyazaki¹ found his inspiration for his films. In this moment, if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.

Bando on Blogging Like It's the Early Aughts

Bando to Anraku-ji, Day 2 of 8

Osaka to Bando, Day 1 of 8

Finding Joy in the Journey and Embracing Japanese Culture