9 October 2011
The twilight dim, the gentle breeze
By Nara-no-Ogawa stream
The splash of worshipers who wash
Before the shrine, all seem
A perfect summer's dream.
-Fujiwara Iyetaka, 1237
A beautiful, warm day. Took the bus to Northwest Kyoto to explore yet another old neighborhood, Shake-machi, meaning shrine family township. It is the old area around the Kamigano Shrine (794). Legend has it that Wakeikazuchi, God of Thunder and Rain, resides at the shrine. The sand cones (there's an idea for any eager castle builders in our family) are thought to represent the mountains through which Wakeikazuchi communicates with the mortal sphere. The shrine is very popular with the local community. We saw at least three very stylish weddings in progress while we were there (no photos), and several blessings of newborn babies. The main building of the shrine is under renovation, but we liked the wooden rabbit (don't know the significance), and the vermilion bridges and gates.
Afterwards we took a neighborhood walk by the old houses which boarder the stream, and made a stop at the famous pickle shop, Narita, where we bought a whole pickled turnip and something else reddish and cut up - often it's just a guess...perhaps we can bring some tsukemono home, but I'm not sure how long they last...
We miss everyone and send love
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