Friday, March 4, 2016

Ofuna Kannon 4/31



After missing my intended train station, I got off at Ofuna and went to change trains. I looked out towards the city to see if I wanted to stop back here another time and saw a white statue at the top of a hill. My curiosity got the best of me and I had to come back and check it out. 

Visions of Indiana Jones filled my head as I loaded up my daughter in the backpack to begin our search for the white statue. One of the many things I love about Japan is how easily accessible things are from the train stations. We have a train station a quick 10 minute walk away that we use almost daily. We have a card loaded with yen and off we go. The trains are clean and are so timely that you could set your watch by them. 


After getting off the train, we walked across a bridge towards the statue. A Japanese gentleman looked at my face full of concentration and helped direct me in the right direction. We followed a Japanese family up this steep walkway toward the temple. I am in awe of how well the elderly maneuver these steep and often narrow pathways. I am not in peak shape but I can hold my own on a good hike, but I must admit that I was a little winded by the time I reached the top. 

When we reached the peak, the grounded leveled off so we could pay for entrance into the temple (300 yen). The kind woman at the counter gave me an information sheet written in English to tell me about this important temple. 



Kannon is the Buddhist goddess of mercy. She stands 25 meters tall and was built as a prayer for world peace. Her construction began in 1929 but was put on hold due to war. 

After finally reaching the top of the staircase, we were rewarded for our efforts by seeing Kannon herself. It was a beautiful day and she seemed to glow against the blue landscape. Flowers rested on the bench in front of her and a signed stated that the bench next to it was for offerings to this god. 


My back felt like I was carrying an extra 40 pounds which was my cue that someone was resting after our walk. I gently nudged my daughter who was snuggled into the carrier. I didn't want her to miss this. As one eye slowly opened, I watched her expression change from sleep to fascination. 


"WOW! Beautiful!", came the groggy voice from my back. 

"Yes sweetheart, I feel the same way. She's pretty huh?" 

The wonderment was clearly evident as my daughter said, "Mama, she's gorgeous!"

I couldn't agree more. With all that I've seen in our short 5 months here, Ofuna Kannon is easily my favorite. 

After we circled the statue, A and I sat down to learn a little more about this beautiful structure. 

We learned that: 

* It took 31 years from start to finish to complete Kannon. 

* People seek out Kannon as a source of comfort during periods of solitude and homesickness. Which is actually kind of handy since a military housing facility is close by. 

* Every Autumn, there is a Yum-Kannon festival where people gather to sing, dance, and experience traditional stalls and vendors. 


I spent more time lingering at this temple then I normally do. With each angle, I noticed something different about this stunning structure. We also learned that stones were carried here from ground zero of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to remind people about the war and how important peace is. These stones are found in the garden below the structure. 

We also learned that there is a flame inside of this statue that forever burns. The flames were taken from the fire that ensued after the 1945 attack on Hiroshima. 

I tend to be a perfectionist and I hate when things go wrong in my plans. However, getting on the wrong train was a real blessing and I'm so thankful that I stumbled upon this breath taking temple and statue. I'm looking forward to making more mistakes that lead to surprises like this. 


Ofuna Kannon in Kamakura, Japan




22 comments:

  1. Elizabeth, so good to see you slicing again this year! Big moves for you, huh? I had an inkling there was a vacation or move planned (Pinterest is sometimes a dead giveaway!). What a beautiful surprise! It was well worth the wrong train and the hike!

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    1. Hi Michelle, it is so nice being able to read and share with you all again. Trying to move and finish a school year did not allow me to join last year. Yes, new changes indeed...sounds you are in for some too. 😊

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  2. Nice to learn something new like this. She made such a beautiful statue. I wish we could visit other countries. What a blessing to find this treasure. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Sometimes the best discoveries are by accident. What a great treat for you! It is one of the things I love best about moving to a new place- new eyes see more:) Nice to read your slice.

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  4. A beautifully written piece and what a wonderful surprise you had. I so agree about the places mistakes take us to. That has been the story of my life.

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  5. I love the photos you added to your slice. This makes me want to travel. Wonderful!

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  6. Japan. This is a big move for a family. You are breathing in all with awe and appreciation. Your slice shows how the unexpected may lead to something beautiful. The statue looks pretty on the photos but I can imagine it is breath taking in reality.

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  7. She is beautiful and the history is so interesting. I taught a student with the name Kannon a few years ago. It is so neat to learn about the representation of her name.

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  8. She is beautiful and the history is so interesting. I taught a student with the name Kannon a few years ago. It is so neat to learn about the representation of her name.

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  9. That is neat! I can see it was definitely worth the hike. Maybe the wrong train wasn't so wrong after all!

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  10. I am teaching 6th grade students about how digital tools can augment informational writing. This is a perfect example. I would have been lost, as a visual reader, without your wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing about this part of your journey. I feel like I was right there with you!

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  11. I am teaching 6th grade students about how digital tools can augment informational writing. This is a perfect example. I would have been lost, as a visual reader, without your wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing about this part of your journey. I feel like I was right there with you!

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  12. I am really enjoying your slices and learning about life in Japan. So great that you are taking full advantage of your time there, exploring.

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  13. I am really enjoying your slices and learning about life in Japan. So great that you are taking full advantage of your time there, exploring.

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  14. The photographs really add to your slice. How lucky you are to get such a great adventure!

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  15. that is so cool! i wish I could go!

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  16. that is so cool! i wish I could go!

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  17. Your adventure spirit definitely won one this exploration! Love the detour.

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  18. Wow! What an amazing journey you're on. I really love the pictures you included.

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  19. Wow! What an amazing journey you're on. I really love the pictures you included.

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  20. I really love your pics, thanks for sharing!!

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  21. I agree with your daughter! Kannon is gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing your adventure with us.

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