Ise Jingu: The Most Sacred Sinto Shrine in Japan

 

FEEL JINGU

“This is the way life ought to be.” This feeling instantly over flowed with my first steps in Japan. Every day from Tokyo, to Kyoto, Nara, Asuka Village and Niime Okayama, unfolded this epiphany: This is the way life ought to be.”  Now that I think about it, much of that feeling flows like artesian wells from the kind people of Japan and the foundation of Kami-no-ichi.

Kami-no-ichi, Shinto, originated in Japan where it continues without a central authority and is characterized by diversity among its practitioners. Shinto is polytheistic revolving around kami, the spirit entities that inhabit all things in a natural world.  Jinja, public shrines are staffed by Kannushi, priests who oversee the specific kami enshrined at that location.

She lived lived an invisible Shinto and Buddhist life. I didn’t realize it until years after my first 20 day journey across Japan, that though my mother never taught me about Shinto and Buddhism, the dogma, by living it with me I came to recognize it every where I traveled in Japan.

Tommie raised me to see the spirits of all things.  Tamaki Patricia Ishihara, my mother was born in California. Her parents: Jotaro and Taka Ishihara were born in Okayama Japan.

Samurai Gourmet

Thanks to the Japan Fulbright Program, I had both the pleasure and honor of visiting Japan for 21 days.  I was in the company of 199 other American Educators from across the nation and across grade levels K-16.

I thought of this as a once in a lifetime opportunity. With that in mind, I decided to go big or stay home: I would eat only Japanese food for 21 days... exclusively.  While my teacher friends went to McDonalds and KFC, I avoided everything that could be eaten at home and committed to trying everything Japanese that I encountered.

I was generously rewarded with the discovery that: the deeper one’s immersion into an unknown culture, the greater one’s illumination of the people to be encountered. 

Now, fifteen years later, on Netflix I’ve discovered a 12 part Japanese series:  Samurai Gourmet, which affords viewers a “foodie tour of Japan while simultaneously revealing a window into the nuances of the culture. 

My wife Patricia has her own traveling rules: “Eat and drink only local, stay in little local hotels, try all the offbeat shops and museums. That’s the real deal. That’s where the magic happens!” This framework for travel will reward you well in Japan as well.  We have decided to tune our ears for the spoken Japanese language by beginning with this series listening closely to pick up as many terms as possible.

I should say that in 21 days, 3 meals a day, plus snacks at every turn, I only encountered one Japanese dish that I’d not order again: natto for breakfast.  Crystal clear, slimy goupy strands of the most unusual flavor ever to be encountered hitch hiking across any galaxy!

But after 8 additional trips to Japan, natto is back on my list along with raw sea urchin just inspired by episode 11 of Samurai Gourmet.

Click HERE for natto 1.

Click HERE for the Correct Way to Eat Natto

As they say in Japan... Oishi!!

Delicious! 

Confession: On my 6th trip to Japan, I had a Big Mac in Osaka. It was the worst decision made in all of my days in Japan!

Japanese Ancestors: Jason’s Journey

In a dream, Jason, Leandra, and David, Samantha and Cameron are in Japan, the land of our ancestors.

But recently, I’ve seen images of Jason on his own in Asuka Village, Nara, Niimi Okayama, Kyoto,  Osaka, and Tokyo.  In the event that he does travel solo, this is how his journey might unfold.

For example I see Jason at Gango-ji Temple, in Nara

Photo Credit: ミスチー

Here you’ll find your fan-fold Goshuincho, used by people visiting Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.  Goshuincho literally means "honorable stamp/seal book.”  Click HERE for more.

Principal characters

Jason Manzanares lands in Osaka and takes a local train to Nara where he settles in at the Nikko Nara Hotel has dinner and meets Akiko and Yoshio.

While visiting Gango-ji Temple, he buys a goshunicho and has its stamped. Then walks a few more minutes to   Sake tasting tomorrow where sake was first made in Japan.

Other choices:  Kasuga-taisha Shrine, 160 Kasuganocho, Nara, 630-8212, 

or Himoru Shrine. Both are further from Nikko Nara, but easily reached by train.

Akiko and Yoshio Murakami 

Akiko shows Jason the hot spots of Nara.  

Yoshio takes Jason to TenpoPo

Megumi, Shinichi, Yui and Nagi
Yuji and Takao Tanaka

Gassan Sadatoshi, Samurai Sword Artisan

Now comes the second step, traveling to our family ancestral lands.
Sohji, Yuka, Yui, Yuma and Grandma Masako Ishihara Family    Jason and Sohji are brothers in this story.
The Kobayakawa Family where I see a quiet beginning and an unexpected chemistry.  I see a happy jovial gathering here.
Kiyoshi Yamauchi

Beyond our Ancestors
and finally Mio of Hiroshima

You won’t realize it until you’re back home, but your new Temple book gives you a subtle window into Japan that is meaningful but easily missed.  

In my book it’s a must for your Journey.  

Click HERE for more.

Photo credit: Nirotake Udono

Gango-ji Temple is a 21 minute walk from Nikko Nara Hotel

And just a short walk from Gango-ji Temple is Harushika Sake Brewery!

Nara is the birthplace of sake in Japan.  At Harushika Sake Brewery you will get a chance to sample all the sake you’d like to try.

Photo credit:  Google Maps

Photo credit: Harushika Sake Brewery

Click HERE for their website.

By the way they are hiring!

There are 30 different types of restaurants in Japan!  Click HERE for more.

Tokyo is number 1 city for the most Michelin restaurants anywhere in the world. Click HERE for details.  Many restaurants in Japan decline to participate in the Michelin System.

Leandra and the Kalt Family Tour First Tour of Japan