KYOTO: Wonderful stopover

Landscape garden city in Japan changed moss into works of art, executive summary by darmansjah

Remember the first time I met geisha. At that time I was in Gion, a small district in Kyoto, geisha settlement since the 1600s. It was about seven in the evening, the sun kissing the horizon, and I'm down Canal Shirakawa, moving from side to side across the bridge. Light from the bar and tavern flicker. I turned the corner and saw the woman across the sidewalk, clad in a pair of tiny legs like a locomotive pedestal, clad in colorful clothing and motifs. Her hair wearing a white mask, leaving only the lip line of red blush. Pink and white flowers adorning her black hair knot. Flash, he disappeared.

According to Daisuke Utagawa, famous chefs who know both Kyoto, geisha are examples of wabi-sabi, an elusive concept. Wabi, clearly Utagawa, showing freshness, serenity, and simplicity. Sabi describes beauty glazed age, reflecting the transience of the physical: weathering the building, spreading moss on stone, to bronze old scarring. It is a Zen idea of the beauty that is temporary, imperfect, and not intentional. Utagawa said: "Wabi-sabi is our souls that we think is beautiful. This is not something tangible that can be touched fingers. It opens sensitivity to every detail, a glimmer of light, and a gust of wind. "

It is a Zen idea of the beauty that is temporary, imperfect, and not intentional. Utagawa said: "Wabi-sabi is our souls that we think is beautiful. This is not something tangible that can be touched fingers. It opens sensitivity to every detail, a glimmer of light, and a gust of wind."

Two and a half hour train ride from Tokyo to the southwest, arrived in Kyoto, Japan's eighth largest city, radiating a mysterious beauty who describes a fusion of culture for centuries. If Tokyo reflects the strength and power, Kyoto is the subtlety and elegance. The town is singing great. Offering beauty for the eyes, peace to the soul. Imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years filled with temples, shrines, and palaces, 18 of which are World Heritage property.

Walking in the Gion district of Kyoto, allowing your child to meet geisha. But the best experience for kids is a moss garden in Saihoji Temple, the western part of Kyoto. Driving along the winding road at the foot of Mount Matsuo, sunlight penetrates darkness and brown bamboo-and you came there. Utagawa called one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Led by a Zen Buddhist monk who seeks to preserve peace, and require that visitors reserve at least one month in advance.

Although the reserve is, "do not think you can directly enter the garden," says Utagawa. "First of all you have to do an activity." I entered the temple, replace the shoes with slippers, and meet the people at the table was bent little short. I was given a sheet of paper with 262 Japanese characters, and sat down at the table. Arranged on top, a piece of paper, bamboo brush, a charcoal cubes, and a small box of water. I rubbed charcoal into the water path to make ink. Dipped the brush into the ink, then carve one of 262 Japanese characters. The only sound was the birds singing and the wind blowing on the roof. There are times when monks breaking the silence when asking a compliment. Finally, 30 minutes later, I had finished writing the name, date, and expectations on paper, put it in a place of worship, bow-and prepares to enter the garden.

"The purposes of the above," said Utagawa, "To put you in the mood that led to the beauty around. And just focus on a small calligraphy character, then you will enter the garden will look more fresh, bright, and detail. "

Expanse of moss in the garden, ornate stone trail and shaded by trees and a large pond. Thick moss, moss thin, curved mosses, lichens hairy. Moss clinging to the rocks. Moss creeping up the tree. Moss made ​​the shadow of the orange koi fish in the pond. Endless sparkle green moss. Padang moss. Moss mountains. There are more than 120 species of moss.

Then, I learned that this green paradise, maintained by a white-gloved guards who diligently sweeping expanse of moss, 700 years ago planned to be two gardens, dry and humid. Her moss follow the principles of wabi-sabi true, in a short time penetrated everywhere, creating a sublime and unexpected beauty. You can say this as a surge moss garden earth.

Is there a lesson here? Yes. Not only for kids but also for all of us: the idea is to see, to look deeper. This is the essence of the journey and the lessons are.

Zen and Recency

You can visit the gardens moss only at certain times each day, and must make reservations by mail (monks maintain silence and peace in the temple). Include your name, address in Japan, occupation, age, number of people in the group, the date of arrival (as well as alternative dates) and a reply envelope that is equipped to address, stamp or international reply coupons. send to: Saiho-ji Temple, 56 Kamigaya-cho, Matsuo, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto. (If you are Japanese nationals, send a postcard or two ofuku hagaki). Arrive on time. "Donations" recommended ¥ 3,000