5th Visit to the Temple and All I Got Was This

My 2017 Fortune

This morning, I walked the back road to my office and, swung by the temple, again.

Food tents, were all zipped up; that was a good indicator, nobody would be at the shrine.

So, I walked down the lane, to check things out. Only a few people were there.

Acting like I knew what I was doing, I went over and washed my hands.

A family of four, was on the temple steps, showing children, what to do.

When, they got done praying and tossing coins, they stopped at the bottom of the steps.

Knowing, they would be reading their fortunes, I walked away from the scene for awhile.

It must have been, 10 minutes or longer, before they got done. I'm patient, sometimes.

Once, they departed the scene, I was the only one there and, did my thing.

Bow, climb the stairs, kneel in front of the altar and, all that stuff.

Then, I actually put my hands together, pointed towards the sky and, squinted my eyes.

It's sorta dark inside the place and, I wanted to see if, anyone was watching me.

Then, I said, "Whatever god is around here, make 2017 a year of world peace. OK?"

The sign, on the donation box says "20 Yen" but, I tossed in 50, cuz, that's the way I am.

Opening the Written Oracle

That would be "Fortune" if, you were wondering what an "Oracle" might mean.

The ritual is normally performed on the grounds of the temple. I do things differently.

If, you get a bad fortune, it gets left behind, tied to a tree or anywhere at the temple.

Knowing, I never have bad fortunes, I took mine to work and, opened it there.

That way, I'd have a camera handy, to shoot the thing and, show everyone.

The Japanese version, I posted over on Facebook, for folks to see.

Does Anyone Believe This Stuff ?

Anyhow, they say my fortune, this year is excellent. And, I got some free advice.

All I have to do is, be strong willed, modest, faithful and patient.

Everything else seemed alright, until, I read the last few lines.

See, I really ain't planning on getting pregnant or doing anymore marriage proposals !

Two Trips to Kinkannon-ji Temple in a Day

Rituals Last About a Week

There was a line of people, stretching out into the street, when I went this morning.

The temple is only about a two minute walk, out behind my office.

Going to work, with a massive hangover from last night's celebrations, I stopped by.

The first visit was, without a camera.  I just wanted to see how busy the place might be.

If, it wasn't crowded, I would have let the wife know and, we'd do our shrine thing.

She prays and, I make believe then, we toss coins in a box and grab our fortunes.

But, she doesn't like waiting in lines, any more than, I do. No sense rushing.

Across the Street They Have Festival Tents

It seemed like a good idea, to buy some food and bring it to work.

Not a big fan of greasy festival things, I settled for some yakisoba, to munch on for brunch.

The fried noodles, meat and vegetables, would wait about an hour before, I got to them.

Computers needed to be fired up and, I wanted to change calendars for the New Year.

The plastic, takeout orders come in, Doesn't look microwaveable, to me.

So, I scrapped all the food into a Tupperware container before, nuking it.

A minute and a half later, I began shovelling the meal down and, it was delicious.

So good that, I thought of writing a review on this delicious festival food.

Suddenly Trumpets Began Playing

Not, the brass kind, you hear in a marching band.  It was my rear end !

Some verification, will have to take place, in order to determine what caused this situation.

Massive quantities of beer had been consumed, over the holidays so, we're not sure.

It wouldn't be fair, to blame it on that chef's mouthwatering yakisoba.

Maybe, I'll skip the beer tonight and, have the same festival food, again tomorrow.

Should, we not have a recurrence with the same effects, blame it on the beer.

Back to the Temple

Once things started getting organized at work, I realized something.

None of my cameras, had been outside, since last year.  Some photography was in order.

It seemed, like the crowd at the shrine, was never going to die down.

It was an unbelievably beautiful day but, I wanted to avoid people, as much as possible.

Walking around the temple grounds, I greeted a few folks, wishing them a Happy New Year.

Little old ladies like, to come up and joke with me. Some wanna touch my beard.

When, they hear me, speak their native language, some of them start cackling.

If, you haven't taught your younguns, not to fart in church, you should.

Teach them this trick, for when, they feel one coming. Tighten up your ass muscles.

Hang on and take short, little steps until, you get outdoors. Works for me.

Before Anymore Eruptions

Weaving my way, slowly through the crowds, I finally got back across the street.

Something in my stomach, told me, it would be best, to leave the temple grounds.

So, I went around the tents, acting like some kind of a foodie photographer.

The scents of charcoal, soy, frying foods and barbecue sauces is pretty strong.

You can smell it hundreds of yards away, when there's a festival going on.

The food, is all tempting but, I wouldn't want to get greasy hands, with the camera.

People are real friendly at these events. They see a big DSLR and, move out of your way.

The folks, doing the cooking are polite, too. I thank them for allowing me to shoot.

The plan was, to work my way back to where, I bought that yakisoba.

Then, I tooted my horn, one more time and, went back to the office !


VISIT KINKANNON-JI

2015 Went Out with a Bang

Welcome 2016

 

 

The past few days have been hectic around here so, not a lot of photos get developed.

The 2016 files have been opened and 2015's will soon become history.

 Tonight, I post just a few photos depicting the transition into the New Year.

The celebrations around this part of the world, continue into next week.  And, I gotta go.

Shortly after 10PM on New Year's Eve this photo was taken, at the Temple in Kin Town.

A mother and daughter, stand silhouetted before, approaching the altar.

To me and, lots of other folks, it is a picture worth a thousand words.

Only, I don't like writing so, somebody else, can do it !

 In a parking lot, across the street from the temple, food tents were set up.

My travels, to climb an observation tower, took me past here at 10:20PM.

The best time, to shoot this image, would be now, before the crowds showed up.

Every kind of festival food imaginable, was being prepared.

Chicken and barbecued pork  were sizzling on charcoal grills and, I was tempted to stop.

But, I growled back at my stomach because, me and the camera, had work to do.

 Eleven minutes after midnight, I passed by the temple, again.

There were so many people, in line, you couldn't see the temple or, altar.

This image was taken, with me standing in front of the food tent, across the street.

The line of people, waiting to enter the shrine, extended outside the entrance gate.

It went all the way down the street and wrapped around the next corner.

Cold and hungry, I decided religious stuff could wait; I wasn't standing in that line.

Other spirits were waiting for me, to put the camera away.

So, after sobering up, I went back to the temple, New Year's Day.

Before noon, I did all my holy stuff and, got my fortune for the year then, went back to work.

There's a crazy little ritual, we do around here, which makes me have to close the office early.

It only happens, once a year, a bunch of us start celebrating in the bars.

When the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, everybody wishes me a:

Happy Birthday !

Travel Photo: Kin Kannon-do Temple New Year's Eve

Crowds Will Arrive Soon

 

 

Out scouting a location for tonight's New Year's fireworks, this photo was taken.

The pyrotechnic display will take place in another location, far  from here.

If all goes well tomorrow, I'll have some images of fireworks, reflecting over the ocean.

The event, I'll be shooting from an observation tower and, it starts at 11:50PM.

So, I will miss the celebration, downtown, when the clock strikes 12.

Heading back to the office, I'll pass by this temple, again.

If it's not too crowded, I might pop in,  pay my respects and, get my 2016 fortune.

 Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Sigma 50-500 with 1.4 converter -- Focal Length: 193MM

Exposure: f/8   1/15   ISO 200

Location: Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  DEC 31 2015  4:32PM

More About Kin Kannon-do:

CNN Travel

Kin nisshu-do

A Whirlwind Tour of Kin Temple

Travel Photo: Up on the Roof

 

Roof of Kin Temple

 

 

As many times as, I have taken photos of this temple, I never thought of doing this.

Zoom in and, take a sectional shot, showing details in a corner of the roof.

It really, wasn't the time of day, I like to shoot outdoor photos but, the light was right.

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 48mm

Exposure:  f/16   1/15   ISO 100

Date and Time:  NOV 16 2015 at 1:11PM 

 

Related Post: 

A Whirlwind Tour of Kin Temple: Photo Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Whirlwind Tour of Kin Temple: Photo Highlights

Kin Kannon-do AKA Kin Kannon-ji

 

 

It was my good fortune, to spend a day traveling with the Click Okinawa Guy this week.

After wandering the island with cameras and video gear, he still had a few minutes to kill.

So, we made a quick stop at the temple, on the way back to my office.

  

The light was perfect and, I couldn't resist taking a shot of the orange-tiled roof.

It was one of those times, I didn't forget to have the Garmin turned on and, ready to use.

So, everywhere, we went, the satellites tracked our positions.

This photo, I retrieved from my files and, pointed out the special tree.

There are over 100 trees on Okinawa with special, protected status.

This one, near the entrance to the shrine, happens to be over 350 years old.

The fukugi or garcinia tree survived the Battle of Okinawa and, is a cultural treasure.

A walk, down into the cave alongside the temple, is mandatory, for anyone along with me.

As many times as I have been in that cave, I always have to photograph this Buddha statue.

No religion is required, to appreciate a good smile.

 A little bit farther, down in the cave is Buddha's Parasol.

It was hot and steamy outside and, the depths of the cavern made life much cooler.

We went as far as we were able to go and, I let Mick know, the cave is really much larger.

Years ago, you could walk into the places where local awamori (sake) is aged.

That portion of the cave has been fenced-off so, you don't get to visit it for free, anymore.

A tour of  Nisshudo Cave brings tourists through the humongous, back end of the caves.

It is an inexpensive (about 5 bucks) tour and, well worth it for the camera crowd.

Mick, the Click Okinawa Guy took plenty of video and, I'm sure many photos.

Standby and, when he gets done traveling, I'm sure he'll show you some extraordinary footage.

Links to More INFO About Kin Kannon-ji:

Midorihana (Japanese and English)

Samurai Archives

Previous Posts:

Then and Now Photos: Kin Kannon Temple

Kin Kannon Temple on New Year's Day 2013 

Travel Photo: The Striker for a Buddhist Bell

Close-up View of the Business End

 

 

This should you give an idea of what is used to ring the bell at shrines over the New Year.

Doing some research on the temples and shrines, proved interesting.

A survey done by the government of Japan discovered this in 2002:

Total persons, registered as Shinto followers at shrines: 106 million

Total persons, registered as followers at Buddhist temples:  95 million

The total population of Japan at the time:  120 million

When you add 106 to 95, it comes out to something like 201 million. Right ?

The explanation for this discrepancy, may be found in Japanese Buddhism Today.

Or, you can take my word for it. Some people practice both religions.

Another little goodie, I found for you is this video.

Some people get classes on how to ring the bell loudly !

How to Get Rid of a Bad Fortune in Japan (Photo)

The week of the New Year almost everybody visits a shrine or, temple.

And part of the ritual involves getting a slip of paper with your fortune written on it.

You should have seen the look on this gal's face, after she read hers.

I asked her if it was a bad one and, my suspicions were confirmed.

So, I told her "Get rid of it."

She went over there and tied it with the rest of them.

She's a smart girl and, even signed a model release for me when I asked her.

Lots of People Ain't That Smart You Know

 

Traditionally, only bad fortunes were left behind like that.

But, nowadays it seems like everybody ties their fortune up and leaves it behind.

As a stranger, in that town, I got wondering.

Did everybody get bad luck, predicted for the New Year ?

It seems to me, the people who had good fortunes just started copying from those with bad ones.

Now, everybody is leaving their fortunes behind.

Maybe, that's what's wrong with the world today. Just take a look around.

Young people are drinking water out of plastic bottles.

They walk around talking and texting on little handheld telephones.

And, they see someone tie their fortune to a fence or a tree so, they do the same thing.

Think for Yourself

 

If you get a good fortune, take it home with you.

If a bad fortune comes your way, Get Rid of It !

Shortly after she got rid of the bad fortune, it started to rain and we got the heck out of there.

Didn't I tell you she was a smart girl ?

 



Travel Photos: Sōgen-ji (崇元寺) Arched Stone Gates in Naha

Formerly a Buddhist Temple

 

Built sometime during the reign of King Sho Shin 1477-1526, only the walls remain.

The buildings and grounds were destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa.

The three arched stone gates are probably what most people photograph.

There isn't much to see, besides a public park, beyond them.

It only took a minute, to get some close-up shots of the stonework.

Soon, I'll be going back down that way, to take more photos of this historical monument.

There's a real gem of a Then and Now, waiting at  Sōgen-ji (崇元寺) for me.

As soon as the weather and Naha traffic cooperate, we'll getterdun.

A New Year Tradition in Japan: The Fortune (Photo)

This young lady is tying some paper to a tree.

The photo was taken New Year's Day at Kin Kannon Temple in Okinawa, Japan.

Most people try to make a visit to either a shrine or temple the first few days of January.

But, traffic conditions and weather sometimes make it difficult.

So, the tradition may be carried out any time during the month and, even into February.

The piece of folded paper being  placed on the branch of a tree, is her fortune.

Years ago, only fortunes that were considered bad, were displayed in this manner.

Now, it seems like everyone ties them, to be left behind, on New Years.

We can't be sure if that many people are going to have misfortune in the year 2013. 

It could just be, they are copying what they see others doing.

Whenever the shrine and temple photography slows down, I'll grab one of those fortunes.

If it's a good one, I'll keep it in my wallet. If not, up the tree it goes.

Then, I'll keep paying and taking fortunes, until we get it right !

Today's Feature Photo

The Torii Gate, Does It Lead to a Shrine or Temple?: Japan Insider's Tip

This can be a tough question to answer.

There are torii gates at hundreds maybe, thousands of locations throughout Japan.

The Torii Gate.  What does it lead to, a Shrine or a Temple ?

The simple RyukyuMike answer has always been, "It leads to a sacred site".

That way, I know I'm telling the truth.

Telling the difference between a shrine and a temple gets a little more confusing.

Just the other night, there was a discussion between a few of us on this topic.

To me, shrines and temples are both sacred places but, I never bothered to research and find out the difference between the two.

Well, a good citizen, named, Jun Ikemura must have heard me worrying about it and published an article that explains the difference between a shrine and temple.

Shrines:  There is a god, spirit, kamisama, or some sort of deity enshrined in a Shrine.

Temples:  This is Japan, I'm talking about, not Europe, USA, or the Mid East so, no hate mail.  OK?

Temples are places for Buddha.

Sounds like a simple enough explanation for me.  So, that's the story I'm sticking with, for now.

In the above photo, there is a torii at the bottom of the stairs.

After you walk up all 108 stairs, there is another torii at the top.  Passing through that torii, you come to a cave.  The cave is a shrine dedicated to the Okinawan gods, Amamichu and Shirumichu who, according to legend, lived there and took on human forms, way before Buddhism became fashionable in Japan.

Today you may pass through a torii gate and enter a place that is both, a sacred Shinto site and a place where a Buddha is present.  So, you may find both, a shrine and a temple on the same grounds.

HERE IS THE FULL ARTICLE BY JUN IKEMURA

MORE JAPAN INSIDER TIPS

KABOOM ! 2012 Arrived Y'all. So, HAPPY NEW YEAR !

OK this isn't exactly how it went.

Last night I was having way too much fun to be fooling around with my camera.

So I dug this kaboom photo up from my stockpiles.

To the best of my recollections the sayonara party for 2011 was a blast.

People were singing, drinking, dancing, laughing and running to the powder room.

There was one guy I hadn't seen in years, an old friend, who showed up.

Once, after a barroom brawl, he sewed this man's finger back together while we were sitting at the bar drinking.  I can't tell you his name because he's a dentist.  They're probably not supposed to do those sort of things and I'd hate to see him get in trouble.  Don't you think the dentist or finger-sewing union would have something to say about that ?

The Old Year left.  The New Year showed up, right on time.

We didn't have any fireworks because somebody forgot to buy them.  I think it was me.

So, everybody just said, Happy New Year.

Then, started singing, drinking, dancing, laughing, maybe, some kissing and running to the powder room, again.

Around 4 in the morning I sneaked off to a dark corner of the bar to make sure nobody was sleeping on the sofa.  Then, that's what I did.

Somebody woke me up when it was closing time.  There were five or six of us left in the bar.

New Year's Day is when we make our visit to the temple.

We have a routine.  Everybody, who can walk, goes to the temple when we close the bar on New Year's day.

The photo above was taken New Year's Day of 2011.

There wasn't any crowd trying to get in at 6:30 this morning.

Only four people were ahead of us this year so, we got right up there.

Mr. T, my old friend who would make a superb emergency medical technician but became a dentist instead, was fumbling around in his wallet.  I think he was looking for coins.

So, I gave him some pocket change.  He stopped fumbling.

When you go up the temple stairs, you don't really go inside the place.

On the front porch you stop.

People pray or make wishes for the New Year.

There are boxes you toss coins into and boxes full of paper fortunes.

We tossed our coins, grabbed our fortunes and got off the temple porch to read them.

Everybody got good ones this year, I think.

If you get a bad one, you tie it to a tree.  Some people go back and try to get a better fortune and keep tossing coins until they do.  I think they are nuts.  Slot machine owners and temple keepers probably love those kinds of people.  Hah !

My fortune for 2012 is excellent so I stuck it in my wallet.   I'll read it later, whenever I find my wallet.

We went across the street from the temple to sit in a tent and eat some soba.

OKINAWA SOBA is some great food.

Sometimes, I call it Okinawa Sober 'cuz that's what it does for me.

It was daylight before we got home.  The dogs were jumping around at the door.

They helped me put their harnesses on and they took me for our first 2012 walk on the beach.

We had to hurry back up the hill to the house because I forgot to turn off the porch light and I had to use the powder room so bad, I almost went KABOOM.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

VISIT MY HOMEPAGE FOR THE PHOTO OF THE DAY

Buddhist Statue of Shinran Shonin in NYC: Give It Back !

Here is a photo of a Statue of Shinran Shonin I took yesterday. It's something I've seen a few dozen times as one of my friends whizzed by while driving and I always wondered what it was.

It sets back off the highway in a secluded park near the ocean so, you don't see much other than the top portion of the figure silhoutted against the sky when you're in a vehicle.

On the way to do some shooting at the UNESCO: Zakimi-jo (Castle) Museum I was griping to Rusty (driving) about how I'd rather be anywhere than indoors with my camera. It was cloudy outside but, not raining when we cruised on by the statue this time. "Hey, let's go check that staute out" I said.

A quick U-turn and we were parked and grabbing our camera gear to do some shooting.

Whenever I see something in English displayed, like this, I have to shoot a photo of it. It helps me do the research afterwards and it's always handy having it filed right along with the rest of the day's photos.

Now, I don't know how most people feel about it but, for some reason, I tend to put more stock in what I read engraved in stone than the things I find on the internet. Consider me a Neanderthal.

It just seems, to me, it'd be easier, if you were a liar, to put stuff online, than to etch it on to a stone.

Today I went and GOOGLED the Statue of Shinran Shonin and found out WIKIPEDIA is at the top of the list but, there's a whole bunch more places that know all about this figure, too.

It seems Shinran Shonin was born in 1173 and at around nine years of age went and got trained as a Buddhist Monk. To make a long story short, he is somebody important to people who practice Buddhism.

The same type Statue of Shinran Shonin you see in my photo taken in Okinawa, Japan can be seen in front of the New York Buddhist Temple on Riverside Drive in Manhattan, New York.

It survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. So, somebody decided, "Let's take it to New York" !

Huh ?  I wonder if it ever occurred to to anyone it might be a nice gesture to give it back ?

New Year 2011 Bamboo, Girls and Fortunes in Okinawa (Photo)

After waiting in a long line at the Buddhist Temple in Kin Village Okinawa, Japan to get their fortunes for 2011 on a slip of paper these girls tied the paper to the bamboo growing on the Temple grounds. That's what lots of people do. They tie the things on anything they can reach.

Not me, though. After I stand in line for an hour and pay my nickle for a fortune, if it's a good one, I take it home with me and hang it on the fridge with a magnet so I can read it every once in awhile. It's not really a nickle; it's five yen. I guess that's a bit more than five cents these days.

Now if the thing says I'm going to have bad luck in the coming year, I'll stick it in a tree. Then, get back in line at the Temple and keep spending nickles until my luck improves. It beats gambling and you don't suppose a Buddhist Temple would be trying to scam folks, right?

When those girls hang their fortune in the bamboo, I'm not so sure they know what they're doing. Either that, or they really know what they're doing. Like, maybe their boyfriends have lots of nickles. Or, maybe, they just don't have a fridge to hang the things on. What do you think?

SEE MORE OF OKINAWA, JAPAN ON MY WEBSITE