Japan has a tradition of many fireworks displays during the summer. One of the church members arranged for us to go to one held on the banks of the Aogawa River. They were very hospitable to us and even went early to save us a place to sit, met us at the train station, took us to their home to "freshen up" and then took us to the river. One the way we passed this large, ancient pine tree.
This pine tree is 800 years old. It is 8 meters high and stretches 18 meters east to west and 38 meters north and south. It is supported by many posts and is truly amazing.
We passed many people going to the fireworks. Some were dressed in traditional dress.
People were starting to arrive along the river banks. We were glad someone saved us a spot because it became very crowded later on.
The fireworks lasted for a full hour. Unfortunately pictures didn't turn out too well.
It has been a very hot summer--and very humid. One Sunday we came upon people along one street with buckets of water letting the children throw water on the street to cool things down. I don't know how effective it was, but the children were sure cute.
One Tuesday we left for a trip to the Kobe Mission. On the way I looked out the train window and there was Mt. Fuji (below). This was the first time I have seen the whole mountain. It is a sacred place according to Japanese culture.
Kobe is a large City on a bay. The Kobe mission includes Shikoku Island, one of the four main islands that make up Japan. We did not visit Shikoku Island.
I haven't seen bicycle policemen in a long time--but here are three!
Many others ride bicycles. Pictured here is a mother with her child and an umbrella stand on her bicycle. Sometimes there are children on the front and back and also in a backpack on the mother's back--in addition to an umbrella!
Here are some of the happy Sister missionaries in Kobe Mission. We presented each zone with a lesson on health on separate days in Kobe, Okayama, Osaka and Kyoto.
Here is a little girl at the purification place that each temple has.
I liked these benches for parents who are attending their children to sit in the shade and put their feet in the water.
A pretty bridge over the water.
At this temple there are small stations where one can pray for different things. If you want a blessing for your education, you go to the one for education, etc.
Two girls in their summer kimonos.
After finishing the zone conferences, we took a tour of Kyoto and Nara. We visited the Nishi Honganji Temple, the Nijo Castle, and the Kinkakugi temple (also known as the Golden Pavilion). The Nijo Castle was surrounded by a moat, but otherwise was very different from European castles. The buildings were furnished with tatami mats, silk screens with paintings, wood carvings, and gold-leafed walls, but very little furniture (in fact was there any?) They made the floor in a special way so that when you walk on it, it "chirps" to warn the Emperor that someone was coming. They showed the rooms where various visitors could meet with the Emperor. Photos were not allowed inside the Nijo Castle.
Clair and Annette at the "Golden Pavilion" or Kinkakugi temple in Kyoto. It is covered
with gold leaf and Buddha's relics are said to be inside. It was by a
lovely pond and was quite pretty
Kyoto is known for gold leafing, as see in the Golden Pavilion. We even had some hard candy with gold flecks in it.
At each temple entrance is a place to burn incense. Having the smoke blow over you is supposed to bring blessings.
This is the Todaiji
Temple in Nara. It is next to a large park where "sacred" deer roam freely. They will eat anything. They even ate a tourist map that was hanging out of Clair's pocket. Todaiji
Temple was a very large building because it holds the largest bronze Buddha in
the world. Size was the most incredible thing about the temple.
This is Binzuru (or Pindola Bharadvaja). It is from the 18th century and is made of wood. He sits in front of the Todaji Temple. Pindola was one of the sixteen arahats, who were disciples of the buddha. Pindola is said to have excelled in the mastery of occult powers. It is commonly believed n Japan that when a person rubs a part of the image of Binzuru and then rubs the corresponding part of his own body, his ailment there will disappear.
We
often see little statues with red coats and hats. This was explained to
us by our guide. Buddhists believe that little babies (or miscarried babies) can't go
to heaven but must cross the river to hell. While they are waiting at the
river a god comes by and can save them if he wishes. So people pray to
that god to save their babies. The red coats and hats symbolize the god that can help the
babies.
Another
thing we learned is why Buddha is often pictured with one hand raised and the
other outstretched with the palm cupped. The raised hand signifies
trusting God--"Fear Not." The outstretched cupped hand
signifies "I will answer your Request." Together they symbolize
absolute love. The sutra are Buddhist scriptures like the bible. A
Buddha is an enlightened one. Anyone who is enlightened is a
Buddha. Buddha is often pictured with a third eye. Through this eye
he gives enlightenment.
Summer traditional dress.
The Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara had over
3,000 stone lanterns. The paths were lined with them, several rows deep.
Twice a year (Setsubon and Obon) they light the lanterns (Boy Scouts
help). It must be quite a sight. There is also a cleared area on
the mountain that forms the kanji meaning "big." This signifies
power. They light it with fires on certain days.
Here we are with a friend on our way to see the "Chiba Lotte Marines" play major league baseball.
After a few days rest, we were off again to the Nagoya Mission. We
went first to Matsumoto and met with the Nagano Zone. Matsumoto is in a mountainous area (near
Nagano where the Winter Olympics have been held). The train ride to Matsumoto was really
beautiful. The mountains are covered
with green—some kind of cedar trees, I think, and bamboo, deciduous trees, and occasional pine trees. The highways and train tracks go through
tunnels rather than going over mountains. In the valleys there are often neat, green rice fields.
Here we are in Kanazawaa. Kanazawa
is a beautiful city. It has a lot of old
traditional houses. It was not destroyed
by bombing during the war. We spent the
morning on Wednesday visiting the Castle and the Kenrokuen Garden. The Castle was immense at one time with many
buildings. However, it burned several
times. They have used it for an army base
and for a university and are now restoring it as a historical place for
visitors. The construction of the
building was interesting. The moat and
the gardens were pretty.
Kenrokuen Gardens were beautiful. Japanese
gardens are designed to be peaceful and every detail has meaning. The plants are carefully manicured.
As usual, we met many wonderul and dedicated missionaries in these missions. It is one of the joys of our mission to get to know them and the mission presidents and their wives. We learn many things from them. In Kobe mission we learned about the
"smile scripture": To be Spiritually Minded Is Life
Eternal. We were also told not to stress about missionary work. It is God's work and He will direct it. We just do our part. We also learned many things in Nagoya mission, including, "Forget yourself and get to work!"
It is wonderful to be part of this great work.
We met many climbers climbing up the mountain. Most of them will spend a night in huts along the way.
View of the mountain from station 5.
Church employees had a picnic and brought their families. We had a good time. 
We have a children's English conversation class. These three children are attending. They came with their mothers to our house for dinner one night. The missionaries also came and translated and gave a short message. The children are very fun.
