Mt. Takao, Jingoh Temple
West of Kyoto, Mt. Takao is famous for colored leaves in autumn, a rushing river gorge, and an ancient temple associated with Kukai, founder of Shingon Buddhism. Chieko and Kordy Iwazaki, who performed koto and shakuhachi music at Otterbein last year invited us on a September excursion, too early for "leaf peeping" but just right to avoid the crowds and experience the serenity of the temple.
The climb up is really strenuous, but rest spots along the way offer a cool drink and a place to catch your breath. We were kindly treated on this trip, especially because everyone knows Chieko from her annual October weekend koto performances at Takao.
Jingoh Temple is a place where Kukai (Kobo Daishi after his death) spent 14 years before founding the temple complex at Mt. Koya.
This is the main hall, and the subsidiary buildings are equally impressive.
Rev. Seigaku Taniuchi, head priest of the temple, recognized Chieko and Kordy, and asked us to come into his dwelling for tea. He studied Sanskrit and English, and is a member of Rotary. He is a fan of American culture, especially "smooth" jazz (KennyG), old movies (Audrey Hepburn) and Broadway musicals (My Fair Lady).
We had the quintessential Japanese experience of old and new, while Rev. Taniuchi spoke learnedly about facets of Shingon Buddhism while playing KennyG for us on CD's.
Dinner was at a riverside inn with a dinning platform out over the river. A river fish called "Ayu" was served.
Kordy serenaded with his shakuhachi.
Next morning we visited nearby Kohsan Temple, another Kukai location, and were invited back to Rev. Taniuchi's home for a delicious "bento" box lunch and more good conversation and music. Some parting gifts of Buddhist books will be a good addition to the Otterbein Library.
Rev. Seigaku Taniuchi, Head Priest of Jingoh Temple
Our night's stay in the Japanese style in ended with breakfast brough to our comfortable tatami mat room with river view.
The climb up is really strenuous, but rest spots along the way offer a cool drink and a place to catch your breath. We were kindly treated on this trip, especially because everyone knows Chieko from her annual October weekend koto performances at Takao.
Jingoh Temple is a place where Kukai (Kobo Daishi after his death) spent 14 years before founding the temple complex at Mt. Koya.
This is the main hall, and the subsidiary buildings are equally impressive.
Rev. Seigaku Taniuchi, head priest of the temple, recognized Chieko and Kordy, and asked us to come into his dwelling for tea. He studied Sanskrit and English, and is a member of Rotary. He is a fan of American culture, especially "smooth" jazz (KennyG), old movies (Audrey Hepburn) and Broadway musicals (My Fair Lady).
This is the entrance to the priest's residence -- his grandfather's calligraphy.
We had the quintessential Japanese experience of old and new, while Rev. Taniuchi spoke learnedly about facets of Shingon Buddhism while playing KennyG for us on CD's.
Dinner was at a riverside inn with a dinning platform out over the river. A river fish called "Ayu" was served.
Kordy serenaded with his shakuhachi.
Next morning we visited nearby Kohsan Temple, another Kukai location, and were invited back to Rev. Taniuchi's home for a delicious "bento" box lunch and more good conversation and music. Some parting gifts of Buddhist books will be a good addition to the Otterbein Library.
Rev. Seigaku Taniuchi, Head Priest of Jingoh Temple
Our night's stay in the Japanese style in ended with breakfast brough to our comfortable tatami mat room with river view.
posted by Lyle Barkhymer at 2:40 PM
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