As we arrived at Kyu-chikurin-in (home for retired Buddhist priests) in Otsu in the hills, we were greeted by an amazing garden, gentle rain, and wonderful blossoms. The above photo is of plum blossoms being thrust down with raindrops, inducing me to cry inside, and drop my own tears. Tears that are dropped in awe of Japan. A country that ceases to never stop amazing us as we travel through it.
These white plum blossoms are one of many blossoms lining the inside of the room where we enjoyed tea, and the many bonsai plants (plum trees that were here for a festival of plum bonsais) that adorned the inside rooms of this home.
These were branches from a bonsai that was glorious in how it came down with flowers. These made me stop and think of the dignity with which retired priests are living. As they come to the autumn of their work life, they are enjoying harmonious living with nature and looking up, even as the flowers look down.
You see above the blossoms of one bonsai tree. And through that the beauty that life brings us, if we are willing to look deep, look carefully and absorb every subtlety that has been laid out for us, if we are willing to live mindfully.
Outside in the garden, stone walls spoke of labor that had gone into creating the wondrous environment where the retired priests live together. And inside, harmony like few can dream of, but all would celebrate and enjoy.
Here in pink, similar details and amazing magic that nature provides for us, for free, and without any questions asked. Of course, we do have to ask ourselves if we want to continue enjoying such magic. For if we do, we need to live with respect for nature.
The garden was so peaceful. It spoke of a comfort that people or places have when they are at peace with themselves. When they know who they are. What they do. What purpose they have. And towards what greater goals in life they work and live.
As we enjoyed the bonsais inside, we could never look at them without looking at the beauty outside. Perhaps a lesson we were being taught about looking at life, situations and people in a way deeper than we usually do? A way to forgive people, accept people, and take life as it comes, knowing there is more to everything than meets the eye?
These are photos I took of the garden from inside. WOW! We were smitten by the peace, quite, beauty and sense of place that the inside and out had.
And all of this made possible for us because of the generosity and spontaneity of Sachiko and Noriko Yagi. The Queens of Yuba. How apt that the meaning of the name of this home (Kyu-chikurin-in) is old-bamboo-forest-temple. It is old, there were bamboo charming us, and the temple had amazing energy. Soon, I shall blog about Yuba, and how it has kept the vegetarian Buddhists of Japan happily sated, and could easily be the beginning of a Japanese cuisine adventure for those that cannot eat seafood.
1. These pictures are amazingly beautiful
2. I have added this place on the list of "Things to Visit" before I die.
What a great experience!
Posted by: Stephanie Rigione | Monday, February 15, 2010 at 08:56 PM
Thank you for these beautiful photos, Suvir. The bonsais in bud and bloom are breathtaking. How interesting you have ended up in Japan not too long after seeing that photo of your beloved grandfather there.
Posted by: Sally | Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 08:32 AM
Stephanie, you will LOVE the gardens, and the tea, and the peace and tranquility. Could I add another and? I could! Wait till you see the photos of the food we ate in Otsu. WOW! It was perhaps the greatest food experience thus far, this year, and even last year. The Queens of yuba, truly spoiled us and brought amazing flavors and tastes to us.
Sally, the bonsais were much prettier than my photographs of them. Wish I could have done them justice. And yes, how interesting that we are in Japan, soon after the passing of my grandpa, and enjoying seeing his photographs in Japan. What timing, eh?!?
Posted by: Suvir | Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Did you bring the photo with you to see if anyone recognized the place? How amazing it would be to have a photo of you and Charlie at the same place!
Posted by: Sally | Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 04:37 PM
We have the photograph on our computer. But not shared it with anyone yet.
There is a HUGE language barrier, that prevents any truly substantial conversations to happen. Not because there is not a will, but because we are all mindful of the time and efforts put in by the official translator, and want to keep idle chit-chat to the least possible.
Will perhaps share it with someone today. Not that the photo reveals much. Will keep you posted.
Posted by: Suvir | Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 05:33 PM
Be sure to show it to some older people, who may recognize it as a place of importance at that time...
Posted by: Sally | Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 08:12 AM
i have never seen such a nice bonsai/template/garden combo myself.. lucky you! all you needed was to sit in a tea ceremony (which sounds like you got to do!)
Posted by: May | Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 12:08 AM
thanks for this..
Posted by: gwen | Monday, June 30, 2014 at 12:02 PM