Shimogamo Shrine and other things
So on Sunday after dinner I decided to go see Shimogamo Shrine cause it's a short walk from my house. I've been having issues posting pictures up onto Photobucket, which is the reason for the delay. Apparently the shrine is actually open during the day, but I went at night so I couldn't go in. I'll have to go back sometime!! Maybe sometime this week. Anyhow, here are the pictures!! There are some of the Kamogawa River, too!
First, I'll post one of a little stream by my house that I particularly like:
Now, the two of the river. This is where the two rivers (Kamogawa and Takanogawa) come together:
Turtles!!:
Now for the shrine!
This is called a torii. It's a gate that separates sacred and secular space:
The Shimogamo Shrine is in a forest. This stream runs through it:
Here's a little lantern near one of the boundaries:
This is off to the left of the main shrine:
This is the area where you can pray. There's a place to drop money in (I was told you should use 5 yen coins because they're lucky). You're supposed to pull the rope and clap twice to wake up the kami (god) and then ask for whatever you're asking for. After, you are supposed to step away facing the altar.
Not sure what this is, but it was attached to the altar area:
Here's the Shrine! (actually kind of like a gate - there are other buildings inside!)
That rope around the rock means that it's a sacred rock and a kami lives in it. You also see these around trees:
On Monday I had my first day of work. We filled out my registration for foreign residency and wanted to go set up my bank account but have to wait till next week. We also talked with the real estate agent about the lease contract and I signed it (isn't it kind of weird to move in before signing??) I am not allowed to have pianos (???) or pets.
Today was my second day. I went through all the stuff on my desk that my predecessor left me and threw out a bunch of stuff. They let R-san and me leave at like 12:30 on 'special leave'. I also get special leave for Obon, so I don't have to go back to work till Monday now! :D
Thursday I'm going to the school in the evening to get my paycheck and to watch Daimonji from the roof. Daimonji is the last day of Obon and they light 5 fires on the mountains in the shape of kanji. During Obon, people go home to visit their hometowns and see their deceased relatives' grave sites and it's believed that the dead come back to the Earth for this time. The fires lead the spirits back to Heaven. However, my supervisor was unable to explain why the selected kanji were used for the send-off fires.
I made really tasty fried rice last night with garlic, peppers, onions, ginger, soy sauce, pineapple and tofu. I had it for lunch today and will probably eat it for dinner tonight cause I don't feel like cooking. :D
I tried to learn how to ride my bike today and it was pretty disastrous. Luckily there's a little park near me that I can practice in and not get hit by cars. I keep falling to the left. I can only go about ten feet. Oh,l and I suck at turning. I fall. :(
The mosquitoes here are serious business. They leave welts larger than quarters that turn red, white and purple.
My futon got delivered today. When I fold it up, it kind of turns into a couch.
We're also having a record breaking heat wave. And it's supposed to last for another week. It hasn't been below 93 degrees and on Sunday it was 100. No joke. (Our humidity's high, too!)
First, I'll post one of a little stream by my house that I particularly like:
Now, the two of the river. This is where the two rivers (Kamogawa and Takanogawa) come together:
Turtles!!:
Now for the shrine!
This is called a torii. It's a gate that separates sacred and secular space:
The Shimogamo Shrine is in a forest. This stream runs through it:
Here's a little lantern near one of the boundaries:
This is off to the left of the main shrine:
This is the area where you can pray. There's a place to drop money in (I was told you should use 5 yen coins because they're lucky). You're supposed to pull the rope and clap twice to wake up the kami (god) and then ask for whatever you're asking for. After, you are supposed to step away facing the altar.
Not sure what this is, but it was attached to the altar area:
Here's the Shrine! (actually kind of like a gate - there are other buildings inside!)
That rope around the rock means that it's a sacred rock and a kami lives in it. You also see these around trees:
On Monday I had my first day of work. We filled out my registration for foreign residency and wanted to go set up my bank account but have to wait till next week. We also talked with the real estate agent about the lease contract and I signed it (isn't it kind of weird to move in before signing??) I am not allowed to have pianos (???) or pets.
Today was my second day. I went through all the stuff on my desk that my predecessor left me and threw out a bunch of stuff. They let R-san and me leave at like 12:30 on 'special leave'. I also get special leave for Obon, so I don't have to go back to work till Monday now! :D
Thursday I'm going to the school in the evening to get my paycheck and to watch Daimonji from the roof. Daimonji is the last day of Obon and they light 5 fires on the mountains in the shape of kanji. During Obon, people go home to visit their hometowns and see their deceased relatives' grave sites and it's believed that the dead come back to the Earth for this time. The fires lead the spirits back to Heaven. However, my supervisor was unable to explain why the selected kanji were used for the send-off fires.
I made really tasty fried rice last night with garlic, peppers, onions, ginger, soy sauce, pineapple and tofu. I had it for lunch today and will probably eat it for dinner tonight cause I don't feel like cooking. :D
I tried to learn how to ride my bike today and it was pretty disastrous. Luckily there's a little park near me that I can practice in and not get hit by cars. I keep falling to the left. I can only go about ten feet. Oh,l and I suck at turning. I fall. :(
The mosquitoes here are serious business. They leave welts larger than quarters that turn red, white and purple.
My futon got delivered today. When I fold it up, it kind of turns into a couch.
We're also having a record breaking heat wave. And it's supposed to last for another week. It hasn't been below 93 degrees and on Sunday it was 100. No joke. (Our humidity's high, too!)