The last few days of the year in Tokyo have been very
beautiful with clear blue skies & the sun shining, of course it is still
cold with temperatures –day time around 7C & night between 2-4C It’s the
time of the year I like to get out and visits temples & shrines Last week I
went to my favourite one in Tokyo –Zojoji and bought a wooden plaque bearing
the imagine of a dragon representing 2012. I buy one each year & although
it’s traditional to write a message on them and hang them up at the temple I
always bring mine home each year &
save them.
I have had a desire for sometime now to visit Gokokuji which
is famous for its Buddhist art – wooden carvings paintings & statues etc It
was built in 1681 by the fifth Tokugawa shogun & unlike so many of the
temples in Tokyo has not been damaged by earthquakes or wars It has quite a
large cemetery where members of the Imperial family & famous leaders are
buried In addition its large grounds contain some old teahouses as well a very large
lovely bronze Buddha.
It was indeed a pleasant trip & with the stairs I got some exercise & felt a bit stiff the following morning. Dare I say old age is catching-up. It is set high on a hill nearby the Gokokuji railway station on the Yurakucho line
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