Posted Temple Plumbing 2019.
Category: Shikoku
Temple Plumbing 2019
Whenever I visit the island of Shikoku, Japan, I like to walk to some of the 88 temples of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage. This year, my partner and I walked to temples in the Matsuyama area, following in the footsteps of many pilgrims over the centuries. I also followed in my own footsteps as I…… Continue reading Temple Plumbing 2019
Temples 52 and 53
Explored on foot, helped by two trains. Shikoku 88 temples (52, 53), pilgrims, a castle, a museum designed by Tadao Ando all about a novel, a convenience store, pre-schoolers shouting “hello” and “konichiwa,” houses and gardens, kind people, rice fields ready for harvest, … .
Cycling across the Sea
Rented bicycles, cycled across Japan’s Inland Sea on part of the Shimanami Kaido trail. The trail provides spectacular views as it crosses huge bridges and small islands.
88 Temples
Pilgrims have been backpacking the Shikoku 88 for hundreds of years, visiting 88 temples on a 750 mile route around the island of Shikoku. We stored our backpacks in a locker at Matsuyama’s main train station then walked between a few temples.
The Heart Sutra with Tooltips
Posted The Heart Sutra with Tooltips.
The Heart Sutra with Tooltips
10.5 kilometers to the next temple. In October I’ll be going on my annual trip to Japan. My partner will be joining me, now that his work life is in the rearview mirror. I’m planning to introduce him to many adventures I’ve figured out over the past few years. Doubtless, we’ll also find new adventures.…… Continue reading The Heart Sutra with Tooltips
Finding Tadao Ando
This week my partner and I will make a quick trip to Chicago to visit Wrightwood 659, a new art space designed by Japan’s Tadao Ando. We’ll explore the inaugural exhibition, Ando and Le Corbusier: Masters of Architecture. Ando’s signature concrete, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, Tokyo, October 2018. In March 2014 I was vaguely aware of architect…… Continue reading Finding Tadao Ando
Ma: The Space Between
Entrance to temple, Kyushu, November 2017. A torii (traditional Japanese gateway), and steps receding into the distance to an unseen temple, exemplify the Japanese concept of ma, the space between. The gate frames space. The steps provide space in time to prepare the mind. As I read around, there are many definitions of ma, but…… Continue reading Ma: The Space Between
Temple Plumbing 2016
The Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage connects 88 temples over 750 miles on Japan’s Shikoku Island. It’s a circuit: temples 1 and 88 are 17 miles apart. It’s a journey: I’ve watched pilgrims making quite perfunctory stops at temples. This speaks to me. I walk to walk, not just to visit a sight like a waterfall or…… Continue reading Temple Plumbing 2016