Pool of Zen

Wakarahenkatta

2011-11-27T13:37:47.690-08:00

Wakarahenkatta

Hieno!

2011-11-27T05:03:47.595-08:00

Hieno!

Cough, Gag... Photoshop? Did you say FO TO SH-O...

2011-10-29T17:37:20.554-07:00

Cough, Gag...

Photoshop? Did you say FO TO SH-OP...

JC-Explorer can you help him out?

no no no no....

I just zoomed in on the picture and cropped it. The 'shrine' was on a pedestal in front of a Japanese Flag. Framing this shot just right.

Yup no photo shop here, just good ole 'fashioned Sony Digital. Tell you what.. I love this Camera.

Thanks for the comment. They took great care of us at the shrine. The ceremony was very well done with a live 3 person musical accompaniment.

Stop by soon. I'm thinking PoZ needs another post this evening.

Pool

Is that last picture PhotoShopped, or is that the ...

2011-10-29T17:13:47.790-07:00

Is that last picture PhotoShopped, or is that the way it was? Either way, I think it is really cool.

This is one place (of many I guess) that I have always wanted to go, but never have. I think I will have to plan a trip.

Yep, It was glass, round, with a spiral fractur...

2011-10-12T22:30:36.893-07:00

Yep,

It was glass, round, with a spiral fracture down one of the sides. I remember it was very clear and I don't think it was perfectly round. I'm not sure how to describe the fracture, it wasn't spider web like or a shearing of the glass. It did seem to stay on a single plane in the glass. If I remember correctly it wasn't like a chunk had been cut off, just that the 'crack' radiated through the stone on one side.

-Hows that for confusing.

Matt

Did you actually get to see the glass orb?

2011-10-12T14:48:37.753-07:00

Did you actually get to see the glass orb?

Thanks Muza-Chan. Appreciate you stopping by. -S...

2011-10-10T10:36:31.666-07:00

Thanks Muza-Chan. Appreciate you stopping by.
-Sounds like we may have just missed each other in Osaka.

Interesting article

2011-10-10T07:07:28.174-07:00

Interesting article

Wow. That's more like it, indeed. Going over t...

2011-10-07T06:02:30.940-07:00

Wow. That's more like it, indeed. Going over the stats there is no doubt that you had the time of your life, or that is at least *up there*.

And, the pleasure was mine. You heading to southern Kyushu gave me the opportunity to tag along. What a shame that more time (& money) wasn't available, as there was so much more to see.

Re: the castles, in Kiyama at sunrise, that was Kii castle ruins. Nothing there to see except the view & some other early risers.

Next was Sashiki castle, which was atop the small mountain with fine, 360 deg views.

There was that other "castle ruins" near some convenience store... I'll have to get back to you with any info that I'm able to muster on that one.

I guess I'll leave it there. I'll of course be posting comments on future posts for sure. Yomu no tanoshimi.

Oh, And I can't speak highly enough of Kyush...

2011-10-06T17:16:30.022-07:00

Oh,

And I can't speak highly enough of Kyushu Dan! What a guy! He was WAY too gracious a host and went out of his way to make my trip successful.

Hey Toranosuke V, Thanks for the comment. This t...

2011-10-06T17:11:48.626-07:00

Hey Toranosuke V,

Thanks for the comment. This trip was a LONG TIME coming. I am so happy that it worked out and went as planned.

I passed through Hakate a few times, but only as a place to transfer to the next train.

I really really enjoyed Kyushu. As I walked around at a break neck pace (sometimes running) I wrote posts in my head. (I always seemed to be running UP-hill).

I'm really looking forward to sharing my experiences... especially if they inspire new adventures.

Awesome. I'm totally envious. I spent a couple...

2011-10-06T16:46:18.974-07:00

Awesome. I'm totally envious. I spent a couple days in Hakata & Dazaifu once, but haven't seen the rest of Kyushu at all.

One of these days, I'd love to explore more of Kyushu, and especially if I were to do that with KyushuDan.

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!

Hi Anonymous, I'm happy to help. Stay tuned,...

2011-10-04T19:58:40.807-07:00

Hi Anonymous,

I'm happy to help. Stay tuned, I recently returned from a trip to Kyushu where I visited several WWII sites along with two airfields including Tachiarai and Chiran.

Matt

Thanks been looking for examples of kamikaze poetr...

2011-10-04T08:44:18.279-07:00

Thanks been looking for examples of kamikaze poetry for years. K. I. Farthegn

Hi Maru, Boy this is an old Post you are revisiti...

2011-09-27T19:04:49.589-07:00

Hi Maru,

Boy this is an old Post you are revisiting! :)

I'm sure that 'Softbank-sucks' Myself and Kyushu Dan all have the definition of Maru down.
Maru can mean a few different things in Japanese. Circle is one of them. The question is.... Why the use of Maru to tag the end of ship names.

A quick flip through the J/E dictionary will give you a few options... you pick :)

Thanks for stopping by! -And you REALLY read all the comments? Holy Cow!

Matt

Hi, My name is Maru!! Can anyone explain? hehe. Ac...

2011-09-25T05:35:41.677-07:00

Hi, My name is Maru!! Can anyone explain? hehe.
Actually, I've enjoyed reading the post.
I was told once, by a Japanesse speaker 'maru' meant circle, round. But now, after all these comments I am confused. Maybe We should get the proper information with a Japanesse teacher or ab aware speaker...

Hi Tsote, Yep, On Sept 19 I will be leaving Osak...

2011-08-11T21:33:14.061-07:00

Hi Tsote,

Yep, On Sept 19 I will be leaving Osaka for New Territory. I plan on Himeji, Hiroshima, and then on to Kurume to meet Kyushu-dan (Japanese Castle Explorer). I will make my way to Kagoshima and spend time at Chiran.

I would be happy to see the sights and get an insider's opinion on a place to stay (Cheap). Tour Guide is welcome of course! I also want to see any Satsuma Clan locations. etc.

Then Back to Osaka and leave on the 27th? Yep the 27th.

I'd be very interested in any suggestions on places to visit... Unlike Kansai, I have NO experience or contacts in the area!

Does this mean you're thinking of getting down...

2011-08-10T22:08:50.387-07:00

Does this mean you're thinking of getting down to Kagoshima City? If so, let me know the exact dates and I'll show off the Himeji Castle papercraft.

Love the new haiku at the beginning... I hope your...

2011-06-20T09:33:39.579-07:00

Love the new haiku at the beginning... I hope your trip does revitalize your passion... UDGW

Hi Sixmats. I'm honored to have you stop by a...

2011-06-06T21:31:00.130-07:00

Hi Sixmats.

I'm honored to have you stop by and especially leave a comment. From what I can tell (Especially seeing Seattle) I think the Japanese would have continued living in close communities were it not for the Internment Camps.

I'm sure there would be the standard numbers branch out as they get more connected with their new country.

Vancouver BC is another example where there is a large Japanese community. But... when it comes down to it... WHAT THE HECK DO I KNOW!

Thanks again for stopping by!

Matt

I heard before that Japanese don't like to sta...

2011-06-06T02:30:09.659-07:00

I heard before that Japanese don't like to stay together for a long time when they are in a foreign country, but I like this theory better.

Hi Allan, I've been going through a bit of a ...

2011-05-15T23:45:03.789-07:00

Hi Allan,

I've been going through a bit of a 'life transition' as of late... so I'm sorry to say the Pool of Zen has suffered... but I do intend on adding to it.

I have to say, that I'm not positive about your question. If it were a historical figure it may be slightly different. But I can say that the graveside ritual was very personal and would have been awkward even for me to join in while I was a guest.

IF you feel that you are being in good taste and you didn't have an audience... I think you could get away with a respectful and modest ceremony.

When it comes down to it... who cares what the living think... Would the dead understand?

Thanks for the visit and the comment.

-as far as the sutra.... well - I will have to search for it... :)

Matt

Hi! I hope you still maintain this page. A friend...

2011-05-15T11:08:49.351-07:00

Hi!

I hope you still maintain this page. A friend of mine and I were planning a visit to Japan and wanted to visit/honor gravesites of some historical figures. Is washing the tombstone something strangers/foreigners would do as well? We wanted to horor the grave without commiting any indecent "faux pas". Any advice you could give would be great!

Thanks

Well, That's something I never thought of. J...

2011-03-05T16:01:20.841-08:00

Well, That's something I never thought of. Japanese-American Refuge towns in Australia! Who would have thought!

That's some an interesting historical phenomenon!

Yes, eye opening. I've never seen a place qui...

2011-02-22T13:32:26.194-08:00

Yes, eye opening.

I've never seen a place quite like it. I guess in Australia there are detention centres for those who enter the country illegally, but "Japan Town" was a place solely for Americans (of Japanese heritage) in a time of war. Wow!