Another new station, another new temple. This one was five stops away down the Yuracucho line. We walked to the station in 8 minutes and then whoosh, we were at the temple. It was overcast but warm and the place was quiet. Only a dozen other folks were there and so we could stroll about at our leisure. There was a very well kept cemetery next to the temple and we explored it thoroughly. There were wooden boards the size of skis that adorned many grave sites. We had to look that up and they are called sotoba. They have the names of the deceased and prayers inscribed on them. Freshly tended flower beds and burning incense were a few things we found. We saw a couple with a small broom, a water bucket and ladle and a bouquet of flowers going to a grave. They were going to clean and make offerings at a grave. On our way our we saw where the brooms and buckets were keep and also saw a small flower shop on site.
Some home made kimchee?
Need I say more?
The entrance
Big wooden statues at the entrance
Smaller temples have been brought to this site from around Japan
The main shrine on this site
A two tier pagoda
A great patina
Not a man to mess with
Toes of bronze
Buddha in a lily pad
Rows of lanterns
The cemetery was so peaceful with birdsong emanating from the woods
The wooden sotoba cam be seen here
I have never seen this kind of memorial
The natural stones are numerous
The azaleas are well represented
A rusty gate was the only thing not meticulously maintained
Nice iron gate
Gates leading to gates
A former prime minister has this large plaque
Look at the head on this crow!
A rounded headstone
This gate is wooden
Yikes a swarm of big black ants
Gates made of stone
The wooden buckets to use to bring water to the grave
Buying flowers
Bouquets and potted plants to choose from
Tool to use to tidy up
Holding up the lotus flower
This turtle was flattened by the weight of the marker
Getting closer to the main temple
Wooden adornments on the outside
A big lamp
Protective dogs on the base
Fancy metal work on the top
Row of monks
Each one different
Lots of moss on the top of this lantern
Murder Hornet!!!! A good 2.5 inches long
So peaceful
A police bike!
A fine rock owl
