To Recap: In May, 2012 I went to Asia on the “Three-Countries-Three-Weeks-Three-Kids” tour. The first stop on this once-in-a-lifetime trip was Shanghai, followed by several days in Seoul. Now I was footloose and fancy-free (i.e., lost a lot) in Kyoto, Japan. I found one of the most beautiful and interesting places I’ve ever seen and I’m going to continue to bombard you with share dozens of pictures from there with you for the next few weeks.
Climbing up from the Fushimi Inari temples, I was enraptured by the vermilion torii gates lining the maze-like paths. Coming over a rise I came to the first place that I had found (there might have been others lower down the mountain on other routes) where there was a break in the vermilion gates and a side path to a small area of shrines.
Here the torii gates were still in evidence everwhere, but they were carved stone, not vermilion-painted wood.
It’s very lush and moist here, so everything’s covered in moss. Here you can also see two more fox statues wearing their (faded) vermilion yodarekake (votive bibs).
The path of vermilion torii gates is behind us here. You can also see new symbols in use, the white cloth or paper “lightning bolt” shapes hanging from the gate.
The “lightning bolt” symbols are clearly seen here. (I don’t know what they are or what they represent. If anyone knows, please let me know in the comments.) Also, it was interesting to see how these very weathered and ancient stones (headstones?) had been reset on very new marble bases.
My understanding is that these shrines are owned and maintained by families in the community, to honor their ancestors and families. They’re really in it for the long haul. I would love to know how old some of these shrines are. Conceivably some could be twice as old (or more!) as the gravestones I found at Rockingham Meeting House in Vermont.
Altars. Offerings. Small braziers. (Is incense burned here?) The braided, red and white striped rope hanging down at the center of the altar. As someone raised Catholic, it’s all fascinating, both different and familiar simultaneously.
Look at how old and weathered some of these stones are. They must be hundreds and hundreds of years old — and still maintained. It was humbling to be here.
Looking back, through the lush forest, the path of vermilion torii gates that I came down really stands out.
Stretching back up the knoll the way I had come down…
…and the path leading onward out of this glade and further up the mountain.
We climb again.
We Love The Stars Too Fondly 