Another post.

Another place I went over spring break was Godaisan temple and Kochi Castle. Hold on a sec. I have to check and see if I already blogged about this.

Okay. I put up a bunch of pictures of the cherry blossoms - which NOBODY commented on, by. the. way. Loyal readers, how can I feel encouraged to write more fascinating story lines if there is no reception from the reading world? Well, let's not kid ourselves. I love to hear myself talk, so it's not like the blogging's going to stop any time soon. It has been more sporadic of late, but I am vowing to turn over a new digital leaf and try to update at least once a week, and hopefully even more frequently.

Sure.

Anyhoo, a couple weeks back, at the height of cherry blossom season, my Japanese teacher took me to Godaisan (one of the temples on the 88 temple pilgrimage) and to Kochi castle. So here are some thoughts about Godaisan:

Panoramic view of Kochi City from Godaisan park. Kochi is actually extremely spread-out. Of the 790,000 people who live in Kochi prefecture, 350,000 live in the city of Kochi. The rest of the prefecture is 85% mountains. When you leave the mountains, you run into the ocean.

My Japanese teacher, Princess Masako (that is how she introduces herself).  

Godaisan is a temple surrounded by a botanical garden, a five-story (six-story...?) pagoda, and many pretty buildings. I do not remember what Godaisan is actually about. But it is very beautiful. And has great pork buns at the rest-stop restaurant.

These plates are a characteristic of serving utensils in Kochi. These are
for flowers, of course, but the ones use for food are very often almost as large as these.
They called them some sort of punny-name, which I know longer recollect.

Frequently, when you look at temples with statues, especially small statues, you see little red capes or little embroidered flags draped around the statues. Princess Masako said that the smaller red capes you see around statues are placed there in memory of miscarried babies - asking the god of the temple or statue to please watch over the dead child. I don't know if this is the same kind of thing (above). 

The impressive pagoda.

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So here's the thing. I forgot to take a picture of the Godaisan temple itself. Instead, I have pictures of all the surrounding courtyard things. Can you see the little golden roof behind the tree? That's the temple itself. I know, right? I'm a regular Ansel Adams. 

Kochi post when I get back from the grocery store.