Miscellaneous Sado Photos

Zoom in on the photo third from the bottom, paying attention to the window frame.

Kobodaishi

A 9-meter-tall statue of Kobo Daishi (or Kukai, as he is also known) stands atop a temple in Furumachi, Niigata City. The photos of the interior were taken in November, on the 28th, the only day of the month the temple is open. Here is Lafcadio Hearn on Kobo Daishi: KOBODAISHI, most holy of Buddhist priests, and founder of the Shingonsho...first taught the men of Japan to write the writing called Hiragana and the syllabary I-ro-ha; and Kobodaishi was himself the most wonderful of all writers, and the most skilful wizard among scribes. And in the book, Kobodaishi-ichi-dai-ki, it is related that when he was in China, the name of a certain room in the palace of the Emperor having become effaced by time, the Emperor sent for him and bade him write the name anew. Thereupon Kobodaishi took a brush in his right hand, and a brush in his left, and one brush between the toes of his left foot, and another between the toes of his right, and one in his mouth also; and with those five brushes, so holding them, he limned the characters upon the wall. And the characters were beautiful beyond any that had ever been seen in China—smooth-flowing as the ripples in the current of a river. And Kobodaishi then took a brush, and with it from a distance spattered drops of ink upon the wall; and the drops as they fell became transformed and turned into beautiful characters. And the Emperor gave to Kobodaishi the name Gohitsu Osho, signifying The Priest who writes with Five Brushes. At another time, while the saint was dwelling in Takawasan, near to Kyoto, the Emperor, being desirous that Kobodaishi should write the tablet for the great temple called Kongo-jo-ji, gave the tablet to a messenger and bade him carry it to Kobodaishi, that Kobodaishi might letter it. But when the Emperor's messenger, bearing the tablet, came near to the place where Kobodaishi dwelt, he found a river before him so much swollen by rain that no man might cross it. In a little while, however, Kobodaishi appeared on the farther bank, and, hearing from the messenger what the Emperor desired, called to him to hold up the tablet. And the messenger did so; and Kobodaishi, from his place upon the farther bank, made the movements of the letters with his brush; and as fast as he made them they appeared upon the tablet which the messenger was holding up. From Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan Among his many other gifts, Kukai was an accomplished architect, designing numerous temples throughout Japan. Post script: I ran in a trail race in Kagawa with its start at Zentsuuji Temple, where Kukai was born. A tree (zelkova?) said to be planted when he was born spread its branches majestically over the approach to the temple. It was a special experience.

Sado Trip: Ancient Rice Planting Ceremony

The text on the signboard explains the tradition, which is over 1000 years old. This video was produced by a local TV station.

Sado Trip: State of Abandon

I camped (video here) 20 years ago when my eldest was six, the two of us riding the 30-odd kilometers from the ferry port, Ryotsu. Sigh. It's been closed for some time now, clearly. Such sights (often referred to as 廃墟- haikyo, ruins) are common throughout Japan. Alas.

Sado Trip: Buoy Art Gallery

"Buoy Art" read the sign by the road. Was intrigued, so checked it out. Unfortunately, if unsurprisingly, the Sado coastline is in places littered with bouys and other flotsam. I would have liked to meet the beachcomber and inspiration behind this strange installation.

Bamboo

As the ideogram for bamboo (竹) serves as the radical or base for 1181 characters in Japanese, the importance of take to both language and culture can be easily appreciated. Some examples: 箸：hashi- chopsticks 筆：fude, hitsu- brush (writing or painting), pen, writing implement. When take is used in this way, it is placed above the other character(s) and is known as 竹冠- take-kanmuri, or bamboo crown. Incidentally, kusa, or grass (艸, 草) heads this list with 2173 characters, the crown above 早 serving as the radical.

Sado Photos- Shukunegi

Shukunegi, home to maritime aristocracy (shipwrights, carpenters, and captains) during the Edo and Meiji eras.

Video here.and here.

Sakura at Night

Sado Photos: The Sotokaifu Coast

The seaward side of Sado is known as Sotokaifu, the coastline wilder and more rugged than Uchikaifu on the opposite side of the island.

Sado Photos: Kotohira Shrine

Kotohira Shrine (金刀比羅神社), Aikawa. As the photos and votive panels suggest, the shrine is dedicated to the well-being and prosperity of local mariners. No friendly felines (as at Seisui Temple), restoration long overdue, Kotohira was forlorn indeed.

Sado Photos: Seisui Temple

Seisui Temple (清水寺) is on Sado Island's 88 temple pilgrimage route. The massive trees flanking the entrance are gingkos. Excepting the friendly local cat, the place was deserted. The figures of Buddhist deity jizo(video link) were rather forlorn, many having toppled over. Videos here and here.

Sado Photos: Kinpuku Yakitori

金福, Aikawa, Sado, absolutely the best yakitori I've ever had、((The cucumber was fantastic, too.)

Sado Photos: Diving School

Because of its clear waters, Sado is a popular diving destination. Housed in a defunct primary school, the Kita Koura Diving Center's (itself defunct) signage shows a diver encountering a friendly-looking Asian Sheepshead wrasse, or kobudai コブダイ.

Sado Photos: Bonsai

Seed, stony ground, ghostly bonsaist.

Sado Photos: Seaweed

Seaweed (wakame?) drying on the

sotokaifu 外海府

seaward (as opposed to its opposite, the uchikaifu 内海府　mainland- facing ) coast of Sado.

Sado Photos: Harbor Boats

Sado Photos: Tunnel Art

Many tunnels on Sado feature decorative panels. On the right: 鬼の田植, Demon Planting Rice; opposite: 甘草に変身した鯛(?), The Red Snapper That Turned into a Day Lily. The former refers to a Sado Island folktale, while the day lily, or kanzou, is prolific at the northern tip of Sado in the vicinity of Futatsugame and Onogame.