Snow in the Hills

Protection for young Cherry Trees

Woodblock of a traditional costume from Ohara

Ohara

29 January 2012

About a half hour bus ride into the hills north of Kyoto lies the old farming town of Ohara.  We decided that in spite of our colds and the chilly weather we would set off.  Quite a change from Kyoto.  Our first stop was the beautiful Pure Land temple, Sanzen-ji.  Gardens are lovely and tranquil in winter, sharpened by snow, and made pleasing and colorful by many sorts of red berries, camellias, mosses, rocks, reflections in the ponds.  Walking through the temples in winter can seem like a sort of penance in that one's sock-clad feet become increasingly frozen.  The first four photos give you some idea of the gardens (and the sweet straw shelters for young cherry tree saplings).  We then found a nice warm place for lunch, and had one of Kyoto's specialties - yuba in a soup which I guess is mostly soy milk or gruel, served in a little wooden tub.  Plus ten or so other little bits of things and of course a bowl of rice - always!  Good to warm up.

Thus fortified, we walked across the road and up the hill to the town, which was mostly deserted.  The woodblock shows the traditional costume worn by women from this area.  The photo (not mine) shows the town (and rice paddy) in summer and gives you some idea of how the town looks.


We are hoping the Republicans self-destruct.

Much love, B&W