28Nov09: Chris McCabe
by Chris McCabe
On the cloudy morning of November 28, 2009, 17 pilgrims assembled from seven different countries at Kotoden Yashima Station before setting out for the slopes of Yashima Mountain, covered in its autumn red. When we reached Yashimaji Temple at the top of the mountain, we prayed at the Main Hall and at the Daishi Hall. Then, as we enjoyed the surrounding nature, we tried a hand at kawaranage.*
北風の 谷に向かいて かわら投げ
facing the valley,
throwing clay kawarake**
into the north wind
*kawaranage: a custom of making a wish as you throw small clay disks from a mountain or tall place
** kawarake: the clay disks thrown in kawaranage.
At the lookout point called "Shi-shi no Reigan," we felt the cool wind on our skin, and we quietly composed haiku poems as we looked out at the calm Seto Inland Sea.
autumn's red colors -
writing poetry at the
top of Yashima
Right before leaving Yashima, we discovered a solitary maple tree, whose red leaves were flowing altogether in the gently blowing wind. Those leaves were like a flame dancing atop a candlewick.
road to Yashima
a solitary maple's
burning autumn leaves
We trekked from the top of Yashima to the middle slopes of Gokenzan Mountain, and then we arrived at the Main Hall of Yakuriji Temple. The Assistant Head Priest of the temple then treated us to warm amazake# and friendly conversation.
autumn pilgrims and
a welcome helping of some
sweet amazake
#amazake: sweet, lightly alcoholic drink made from fermented rice
Right as we were about to climb down from Yakuriji Temple, we looked up to see the clean rock face of Gokenzan Mountain clearly above us.
slopes all decked in red,
towering into the sky:
