In Japan: From modern to traditional...

If you did not read my last post about our readers and how the mission work is going, please scroll down and read that post first!

Monday and Tuesday of this week was our second weekend here. On Monday, we got a whirlwind tour of modern Tokyo by subway thanks to Eric, the missionary who lives here. On Tuesday, Mr. & Mrs. Takahashi, members of the church here, showed us the more traditional side of Japan with an authentic tea ceremony and tour of Mishima Taisha, a Shinto shrine that is 2000 years old.

Again, instead of boring you with many words, I present to you a photo montage:

Enjoy! :)

Our first destination was Asakusa, a famous Buddhist temple that is teeming with tourists.

This was a fancy machine that made anko (very popular japanese sweet, red bean) snacks. I generally like anko, but these were fried and I didn't like them. Ian was very disappointed in me.

The walkway to get to the temple (about a mile long) was lined with vendors. It was noisy and crowded and money was constantly changing hands. Ian and I both thought that it must resemble how the temple was when Jesus got angry and started turning over all the tables. Of course, this was a Buddhist temple and not Jewish, but I can understand why he was mad after seeing Asakusa.

Finally we reached the temple itself!

These statues were outside the temple to keep evil spirits from entering.

People toss money into this in order to worship at the temple.

These doors led into the inner part of the temple, but because we were a) not Buddhist and b) not willing to pay, we could not go in.

Buddhists must drink from this water to purify themselves before entering the temple.

Eric and Sarah!

Jeanette on the subway! It was really clean... and much nicer than the one in New York City!

Sarah grins as she ascends the escalator. :D

A view of Tokyo.

No, I didn't go to Ellis Island. They have a miniature statue of Liberty. Rotten copy cats! :P

Fuji Television Station- it looks like architechture from the future!

Shinjuku - the slightly less expensive than Harujuku fashion district.

"I'm going to dream in neon tonight, I think..."

This is Mrs. Takahashi in her traditional Kimono. She has been studying tea ceremony (a very ritualistic and complex ancient practice) for 50 years. We were so spoiled to have this opportunity, because if a person just came on vacation to Japan they would have to pay a ton of money to experience an authentic tea ceremony. We got to experience it for free! She teaches lessons out of her house, so her house was very beautiful and traditional.

Okay... I don't know how the Japanese do this. It is very painful to sit like this for more than 5 minutes. Even on Tatami mats! She was merciful and provided us little blocks to sit on since we were foreigners!

When presented with the tea, one must bow to the tea, then turn the pretty part of the bowl clockwise towards oneself twice before drinking.

MMM.... this is expensive green tea.

I know it just looks like simple whisking, but don't be fooled, because there is serious technique involved to get the tea perfectly frothy. When she is done, she draws an お at the bottom of the bowl.

Iansan learning the ritual.

You must bow to the calligraphy. (It says "waterfall")

And now, bow to the teapot.

Sweet, delicious treats served before the tea.

Ta-dah. Yummy! Just one small cannister of this green tea costs about $50.00.

Now it was our turn to try and make the tea. Again, it is a very complex ritual. Poor Ian and Sarah had a bit of difficulty whisking due to their left-handedness.

Again, the steps and methods are very specific, and not easy to do. I'm pretty sure we all butchered it in one way or another.

They are such a cute couple! And so hospitable! It is so wonderful to be a Christian, because you can more or less find a little bit of family in every part of the world.

When the tea ceremony was over, they surprised us with a delicious Japanese meal!

Tempura: shrimp, eggplant, and sweet potatoes. Cold soumen noodles in a broth with a little bit of wasabi, and rice balls covered in tofu (my favorite part!). Japanese cherries for dessert! Wow we were so spoiled!!!

YES, WE ATE ON THE FLOOR! ISN'T THAT AWESOME????

There were pigeons everywhere!

Jeanette and Takahashisan

Eric and Sarah

Usually, a person will walk a figure eight through this hoop to bring good luck, but it was a special day so instead it has a sign in front of it.

A monk on a motorcycle? If I hadn't of seen it, I wouldn't believe it...

Takahashisan standing in front of the omikuji lines. Basically, a believer will pay to receive a fortune. If they like their fortune, then they tie it to the line so it will come true.

The main shrine.

Priests

Ema are small wooden plaques which one writes a major wish or desire that they want fulfilled (for example, I want a child, I want my mother to be healed of her disease, etc.). It is more like a prayer than omikuji, which are more like fortunes.

So this is a Shrine to the horse kami (spirit). Shinto is rooted in polytheism and animism (thus, "Don't kill the grasshopper!!!"). Basically, according to Christian belief, it's an idol.

A woman praying to the horse. First you bow, then ring the bell (the long rope), then clap twice, then pray, then bow again.

Deer are believed to be sacred. Kind of like... cows in Hindu belief.

Archery is a sacred sport. We were very lucky to get to watch the ritual, because Takahashisan was there to explain that we were foreigners and were very curious. He goes through many specific steps and bows before he even puts the arrow in his bow.