1985/7 Japan

Kyoto
2 December 1985
Posted 03.12.85; received 10.12.85

Hello there

I have just returned from a temple in south Kyoto where I went primarily to view the maple leaves. They are past their prime now, but still very beautiful. They are at the point where they are almost transparent and very fragile. Floating earthwards on the faintest breeze. Their ethereality endowing them with additional beauty. The temple, Tofuku-ji, is the head temple of one of the Zen sects. Enclosed within the walls of one of the buildings are four Zen gardens. Two of them composed of rocks and raked sand. One symbolizing the Elysian islands and one the main stars of the Great Bear. The third garden is made up of moss and one inch square stones – arranged in a chequered pattern alternating with the moss. The fourth consists of low azalea bushes alternated with gravel squares to form a chequered layout too. Very simple in concept, but very effective. (drawing)

We have decided to have Xmas dinner at home. So you can phone me if you like. Thanks for the card. Have you received your presents yet?

On Saturday I went with two women, Tracey and Cathie, to see a Bunraku performance in Osaka. Bunraku, a puppet show with a difference, emerged in its present form in the mid-17th century. The puppets are half life size and are each operated by THREE men dressed in black with black hoods over their faces. The main puppeteer places his left hand inside the puppet – like a ventriloquist – and operates the head, eyes, eyebrows and mouth. With his right hand he operates the levers which move the puppets right arm, wrist and fingers. The second puppeteer operates the left arm and the third the feet of the puppet. To the right of the stage sits the narrator and the shamisen player. The narrator sets the scene and does the dialogue for all the puppets. The shamisen aids him in intensifying the events depicted on stage. Aside from the fact that it was too long (four hours) and the lady translating into my earphone wasn’t a native English speaker, it was excellent. If there are five puppets on the stage there are also fifteen hooded men. But there are times when you simply don’t see the men. And the puppets seem to take on a life of their own. Fascinating.

Do you remember when I went away for three days I stayed in a temple YH run by a monk and his Australian fiancée? Well, Kerry was in town for a few days and we spent a couple of them together. Just shopping and talking, eating and drinking. She was telling me that she had spent an evening recently with Mitse – the monk – and his fellow monks. They were apparently all chatting away in Japanese when Mitse turned to Kerry to translate the fact that they all thought she had nice breasts! And she had assumed they were discussing Buddhist philosophy!

My second Ikebana lesson went well. Used eucalyptus, roses and tiny white chrysanthemums. I’ll send you a photo next month.

On Sunday I took three students to Nara, the capital of Japan from 710 to 784 after which it was moved to Kyoto. We visited two places in Nara park which covers several acres and is roamed by over 1,000 tame deer. First the Kasuga shrine – set in a forest and surrounded by over 3,000 stone lanterns donated by worshippers through the ages. We got here just in time to see the end of a wedding ceremony – the bride dressed in white and not the traditional wedding kimono. Then to Todai temple. The main building of which is the largest wooden building in the world and houses the largest bronze statue in the world. The statue is that of Buddha and was originally cast in 749. Since then the head and hand have had to be replaced on several occasions due to fire damage. Pretty impressive, but unfortunately I had to get back to teach so we were rather pressed for time. I shall go and see him again one day and tell you more then. I’ve enclosed the ticket which gives you some measurements.

Mom – could you please post one of my dresses to me. It is black and tan and kind of checked with six pleats on the top half. Tah

Take care now
Lotsaluv
Gail