Musashi's Battle at Ichijoji, Kyoto

A quickened heart leaps
expelled frustrated destruction
cool grass bent underneath

早い心跳んで
開会的な欲求不満
下に涼しい草

-This Haiku has nothing to do with Ichijoji, but it fits none the less.

Ichijoji Kyoto was the first of three historical sites I've been to that was made famous my Miyamoto Musashi. Unlike the other two, that I was just lucky to go to, Ichijoji was a test of determination and will.

I read about Ichijoji in "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa. Ichijoji was a temple in Northeaster Kyoto. Now the neighborhood surrounding where the temple once stood goes by the name. It isn't a small area. For example, a wayward foreigner (accompanied by his Japanese guides) may wander the Ichijoji hillside for hours looking for the exact site.

Ichijoji is known for its Soba noodles. I ate at a Soba-ya with some friends and enjoyed some Soba and Mochi Soup. That is until I nearly choked to death on the Mochi! (Mochi for the uninitiated is rice that has been pounded into a glob with the consistency of bubble gum.) It comes in various colors, pink, green, white (depending on the beans it is mixed with during cooking). It can be sweet or bland. Mochi also has varying degree's of Chewiness.... That restraunt was serving the 'ultra' chewy variety. It was down right dangerous!!

-Anyway back to Ichijoji!

During his travels about the countryside Miyamoto Musashi made bitter enemies with the Yoshioka Clan. The kind of enemies where the entire family swears an oath to kill you. To make matters worse the Yoshioka family ran a Dojo teaching Tenshin Shoden Katori Shitno-ryu and had a vast following. It was the pre-eminent martial arts school of the 8 in Kyoto at the time. Musashi fought three duels with the Yoshioka. The third occurred at the base of a pine tree, Sagarimatsu.

Musashi snuck to a nearby temple to pray before the battle. Susanono - Mikoto Temple was founded in 1294, 300 years prior to Musashi's visit. Musashi nearly rang the bell, as is proper form, giving up his location to his enemies. - Unlike Musashi, I took the time to ring the bell! -

Needless to say, Musashi dueled the Yoshioka Clan and handing them a serious defeat. A defeat that brought an end to their school of sword fighting. It is possible that Musashi killed over 20 swordsmen at the location. Musashi was so overwhelmed by opponents that he began using both of his swords, thus starting his own signature style of swordsmanship, Ni-to Ryu. Musashi was one of few people who could wield both the Katana and the Wakazashi at the same time. (long and short swords.)

The photo above is the bronze statue of Musashi at Susanono - Mikoto Temple in Ichijoji.

By clicking this link you can view Ichijoji.
"Why would I do that?" you ask.
-See Susanono Mikoto Temple
-See the actual Sagarimitsu (and me too -a first for PoZ)
-See the location of the Yoshioka Duel
-See a living descendant of Sagarimitsu.... (Well at least it could be)

Wikipedia also has a very informative page on Musashi. However, Wikipedia doesn't have a site on Ichijoji. They definitely don't have these cool photo's!

For a bit more information on Musashi, including pictures of his hometown and location of his first battle look at my previous post on Ohara.

-If you enjoy the Pool of Zen, get an RSS feed and have the latest posts tagged on your toolbar!

All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Pontacho Kyoto 京都の先斗町

When does night fall
On the dreams as my eyes close
These then, light my way

いつ、夢で
夜になりながら目をしまる
またこれは道が明かり。。

-This is Pontocho lit by latern on an early June evening. 　The area is builｔ on a sandbar along the Kamogawa River at Sanjo and Shijo Dori (3rd and 4th streets). There are many restraunts and izakaya (bars) that overlook the river.

Historical Pontocho, which you can read about here, was home of a Geisha district. An interesting fact is that Kabuki made its start in Pontocho. A large Kabuki Theatre sits at the end of Pontocho. I wasn't able to see Kabuki there, as they were playing a modern performance the evenings of my visit.

On a side note.... Whenever I am walking along the Kamo River. I am always confusing North and South... I always end up going the wrong direction, and confusing my travelling companions! Who are always very patient with me!

Pontocho on Wikipedia


Technically speaking this is the back side of Pontocho...

All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Maiko, Gion Kyoto 京都市の祇園区の舞妓です

An Eclipse
Comes walking into the room
Falling Blossoms

月食が
足で部屋にやって来て
桜が落としている

-Taken in Gion Kyoto just before sunset in mid June. I meant this to be my post for Valentines, but was too far away from my computer. I imagine the Cherry Blossoms falling out of respect (or jealousy) as one's Valentine enters the room.

Here is the Wikipedia's link reference Gion. The link on Maiko is terribly lacking and really provides no information at all. The topic is far too complicated to address here, nor do I have all the pieces of the puzzle. However, it is enough to say that the prevalent Western understanding is inaccurate.

Personally I love this photograph. I had to sacrifice a little dignity and became a gawking camera wielding tourist. However, it was well worth it.

Visit a Maiko's Blog. English and Japanese versions available.

All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Karesansui - 2 Kodaiji 高台寺

Focus on a moment
Branches move, leaves quake, green yellow
Thoughts wander infinite

瞬間に書店を合わせる
枝を動く時、葉は緑色けど黄色。
考えが迷って。。。

Welcome back, I apologize for the short break. I took a small vacation to Seattle for Valentines to catch up with friends and family.

This is a karesansui at Kodai-ji in Kyoto. Kodai-ji was built in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi 1536-1598 by his wife, Nene. It was completed in 1605. The temple was funded by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Hideyoshi was a general under Oda Nobunaga who nearly unified the Japanese feudal Lords. For more information about Oda Nobunaga check out this detailed link.

Following Nobunaga's death Hideyoshi unified the remainder of Japan. Both he and Nobunaga were known to be fierce and ruthless warlords. Following his death his successor Ishida Mitsunari and Tokugawa Ieyasu battled for control of Japan, ending with the epic battle of Sekigahara. For a more brief history of the main players of the Civil War era of Japan look at this link.

For Wikipedia.

For a video link of the entire karesansui click here.

You can see a few more of my photo's from Kodaiji at this post, Bridges.

All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Byodo-in 平等院

Cool water flowing still
Kiss of wind refreshes skin
Leaves dance on a limb

寒い水静寂に流れて
風邪のキスで肌を新たにする
枝の上葉が踊り

-This is Byodo-in from across the pond. This was my second trip to Uji and Byodoin. I'll be posting another longer tour of the temple in the future. I thought this would be a good photo to go with this haiku. I was here in the early spring then again during the rainy season. Luckily it didn't rain! But it was a lot greener on my second trip.

This year Uji is celebrating the 1000th year of 'The Tale of Genji'. An epic romance novel. It also holds the honor as the first Modern Novel. Murasaki Shikibu, the author, based the novel on her observations of Kyoto court life. Prince Hikaru Genji was a romeo and the book follows his romantic exploits and the consequences that befall him. Genji was son of an Emperor but fell outside the line of ascension.

Genji is not a particularly easy read, and is usually abridged so us mere mortals can follow along.
There are about 50 major characters in the book with a total of over 400 characters.

For More information read Hiragana Times 08/08 issue or visit Wikipedia. Another, more time consuming alternative is to read it.... good luck! I only lasted through about 2/3rds of my abridged version.

You may see more on Genji and Uji in the future!


All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Karesansui - 1 (Japanese Rock Garden) 枯れ山水 Negoro-Ji

In the blinding heat
I find a cool refuge
Watching dancing water

目の熱
涼しいで逃げ込む
踊り水を見る

This will be the first of many posts strictｌy on Kare-sansui. I can't count how many I have visited in Japan. I intend on visiting many more. I find great appeal in their complex simplicity.

This garden is at Negoro-Ji. It is by far my favorite rock Garden. I'll have a later post on Negoro-Ji itself later. Negoro Ji had a fantastic blend of meticulous stone designs, walking stones, trees, buildings, water, and the surroundings. It was the opposite of Kinkaku-ji. There was an immediate appeal and calm at the garden.

There were no barriers to keep visitors from walking out onto the stepping stones in the garden. But one wouldn't dare. I can't imagine the meticulous work that goes into this garden. I suppose part of the appeal of Kare-sansui is knowing I'll never have to patience to make one....

-I wrote this poem at Nishinomiya Garden in Spokane. Nishinomiya Garden, (Now named the Ed Tsutakawa Garden) is one of the best American Japanese gardens I have been to. Unlike Portland, Seattle, San Fransisco, or Brooklyn, Nishinomiya is a compact and well cared for garden. It lacks a rock garden, but has a great pond, waterfall, and treed area. Nishinomiya has a Japanese feel that other gardens lack. I think a lot of the authenticity can be attributed to its use of space and natural appeal. One can walk the entire grounds in about 5 minutes. Yet, even after years worth of visits I still haven't 'seen' the whole thing.

Spokane is a desert climate very unlike Japan. Nishinomiya uses a combination of Japanese imports and native trees. Often times visits to Nishinomiya are during days with temperatures well over 100F.

Come visit, I'll give you a tour! -tours start at $500......

Nishinomiya City Japan is Spokane's sister city. I've been there and enjoyed it. It is the home of the Hanshin Tigers. The Nishinomiya Sister City Society provides cultural exchanges between the two cities, including teachers, government officials, and business persons. Check out their website here. The Society also sponsors Spokane's Japan Week, a busy week of cultural exchanges, dances, martial art demo's, art displays, doll displays, and more.


All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Ohara and Miyamoto Musashi 宮本 武蔵

Seeing the contrast
From dark to green to glistening
On my quiet perch

違いを見て
黒いから緑からきらきら
静かな場所

-This photo is from Ohara, Okayama Prefecture. I recently posted a photo from Ohara in my 'The Distant Bridge' Post.

Ohara is the famed birthplace of Miyamoto Musashi. Ohara was a quick spur of the moment trip courtesy of of our hosts, The Nishiharas! We didn't have much time to spend looking at all of the sights. Our visit centered around the Musashi Museum. The museum was very interesting and had many artifacts and original works by Musashi. The displays included swords, tsuba (hilts), armor, and original artwork by Musashi. A definite must see for the samurai / bushi-do fan.

On our way to Himeji from Ohara we stopped at Hirafuku, Bansho province. Hirafuku is the location of Musashi's first duel. At 13 years old, Musashi fought and killed Arima Kihei. Read about the incident here.

Musashi's fictionalized life story has been re-told ad-infinitum. I would definitely recommend Yoshikawa Eiji's book Musashi. Of course you must see Toshiro Mifune's portrayal as Musashi in Samurai Trilogy, based on the book.

I was able to take a few pictures of Ohara. Which is the definition of a Mountain Hamlet. You can view those pictures here. We were especially lucky to get to see the site of the duel with Arima Kihei. See those photo's as well.

For more information on Ohara and its significance, select this link.

In the future look for my post on Ichijoji, for another encounter with Musashi!


All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.