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

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 ..read more

The text on the signboard explains the custom. This video was produced by a local TV station ..read more

I camped 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 ..read more

"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 ..read more

With 1181 characters incorporating the ideogram for bamboo (竹) as a radical, takeis an essential component of Japanese language and culture. Some examples: 箸：hashi- chopsticks 筆：fude, hitsu- bush (writing or painting), pen, writing implement 竿: sao- rod, pole, neck (of a shamisen, etc.) 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 ..read more

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

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 ..read more