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Today my journey started around 3.30am another restless night based in the capsule. I think they would be great if soundproofing was an option, a novelty non the less. I spent the morning deciding a route and felt drawn towards Yokohama, an hour south. There exists a beautiful garden called Senkeien 20 mins from Negishi in a suburb called Honmoku. The website suggested they were open, seems that many gardens are shut from now until the 2nd. The journey was helpful, feeling used to the trains, they really are quite efficient. Sat smiling in the cabin I noticed other people were smiling too.. What a contrast in comparison to home, where a smile on the train is considered strange or well you know us Brits.. What's your game?
After finding my trip to the gardens were in vain I stopped off at a well known fast food chain and buryed my shame in a burger, generally speaking I have had very little trouble ordering food ( i am still awaiting a good sushi) mainly saying the word kora (this) and pointing is the way and usually gets you by, in this case well things got complicated quick when we started talking size and extras, I am a baby in this country with regards to communication, in fact babies probably have a better understanding. Communication is key in all scenarios but you can get by relatively easy without any knowledge of the language here but you may struggle in a maccas.
Today is new years eve, in Japan there are two major religions I am aware of, Shinto and Buddhism, non natives like myself are able to study a lesser type of Zen buddhism called zoltan Zen, a meditation allowing people to experience eternity in a blink of an eye and to appreciate all which we experience, a phrase comes to mind, something about being able to see and hold the universe in a grain of sand , please comment on this topic if you have more to add, it deeply intruiges me.
Before Buddhism arrived in the 8th century the popular religion was Shinto ism, the belief that nature is the spirit of life to which we are all connected. Believing in serval gods, well around 800 but each god is a type of form for example wood or steel. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are located in the same proximity of each other and have sustained a type of coexistance though the ages. So mature and proper, the concept makes me think about my beleif system, the same beleif system my piers in school had pushed upon them, I think of all the poor people subjegated to the terrors enthrawled throughout the world as a result of ideology being force fed into society, Shinto and Buddhism standing side by side is a testiment on how we all could behave, peacefully without crusades or deystorying complete cultures in our wake.
This afternoon after my shame burger i travelled via train to Kamakura, there lies a huge buddah statue made from steel, before the 14th century it was housed in a large temple but due to tsunami's it now stands alone. There are many shrines and temples in Kamakura and at 12am 108 chimes of the clock tower bells are rung which mark the entering of a new year, the chimes also signify the probable 104 human sins we are all capable of.
The bells chimes out to help us clense our sins and gifts are given and recieved bringing luck for the forthcoming year.
All around the statue lies temples and shrines there are hundreds, there is a walk where you can see them all but I didn't quite have enough days, it would be spring by the time I finish. Average of 40days depending on your shin, not your shins English but your shin (heart) well I guess it depends on your splints too but you get the gist.
Kamakura is also a surfer type town with beaches of grey sand surrounded by picturese rolling hills and mountains. The area quietly whispers in your ear to relax and walk slow, soak it in and have a kip on the beach after lunch, fully clothed of course, well it is winter after all.
After a cheeky snooze on the beach I walked, and walked and walked around Kamakura, there is a trail which walks you up and around to a veiw point, walking over roots, rocks and sapplings, not a walk for the faint hearted but all along the path you see cameillia shrubs, yews, mediterainian palms and fortunei, cedars, cherry trees and so many more, in fact the whole of Japan is covered in really special annuals, perennials and shrubs/trees most of which are name tagged and explained. The affinity for nature in this county is deep. With a cultural understanding of seasons and linking them to food and special cultural displays not just limited to Gregorian calendar dates, did you know mothers day used to be anti war day or peace day? Rather than focusing on commercial concepts, the enthusiasm is greatly thrusted towards the natural wax and wanes of seasonal cycles. Too a chilled person looking for self acceptance in a world of competitive edge and materialism driven consciousness these divine interactions with nature truly speak volumes where being part of the whole 'thing' is concerned.
Right time to go and visit some more shrines and temples, it will soon be time to start ringing the bell.. First come first served basis I heard. Maybe I will go early and line up with the locals .. Happy new year everyone , there is a hypothetical cheers for the loved ones at home and abroad . Campai!
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