"The Last Samurai Temple"

"There is life in every breath." -The Last Samurai

One of my Aussie gals took me to Mt. Shosha

where scenes from The Last Samurai were filmed.

Can you see why?
It's so beautiful.

The air was rich

with crackling incense.

The moss carpeted the tree barks

and stone lanterns.

The pathways beckoned us to ascend.

Rocks are frequently added to the tops
of statues and shrines,
each one representing
someone's prayer.

This mountain was filled with
stone guardians.

[hai, chiizu!]

We found a pilgrim path
to a fox shrine.

Many generations
of fox spirits.
The kitsune.

This is a dormitory
for priests-in-training.

The famous hall and temple
where the movie was filmed.

Looking out from the carved balcony.
So tranquil, I could've knelt there forever.

The Mirror Well
where the warrior-monk, Benkei
saw his graffitied reflection
and burned down the temple in retribution
towards the priest
who scribbled on his face.

Hmmm...
If geisha training doesn't suit my fancy,
I think I'll join a ninja clan.

Breathtaking.

A silent tomb garden.

Carpet of leaves.

Army of guardians.

I'd feel pretty safe, living up there.

Descending the mountain,
we entered Koko-en
the gardens of Himeji Castle.

The Japanese worship nature

and all its wondrous beauty.

Kat and I have decided to take that

nature-admiring mindset

home with us.

I'll definitely style my garden like the Japanese do.

Japan breeds enormous carp.

Though the frost will bite soon,

blossoms are just opening up

in the mountains and gardens of Japan.

There is life

in every season.

{Music © Brand X Music}