Potato Boy
Temples that are close together are good for practicing the Heart Sutra (popular Buddhist sutra), a mantra that pilgrims chant twice at each temple. The first time is in front of the the Hondō (Main Hall), the second at Daishidō (Kobo Daishi Hall). Today we would hone our sutra skills eight times as we visited Temple 61-64.
Armed with fresh sweet rolls and bread from the local bakery, we said sayonara (goodbye) to the free campsite we called home for the last two days.
Our first stop was Kōon-ji, a modern temple. It was recently rebuilt in a western style and looks like an American convention center. Seven years ago these contemporary buildings were not to my liking. This morning however, the grounds and simply architecture glistened in the morning shadows. It was beautiful.
The shadows had shifted by the time we reached our last temple of the day, Temple 64 (Maegami-ji). Our final chant had to be fast-tracked as three mosquitos were taking turns gnawing on my elbow. Something cold to put on my arm would certainly ease the growing red bites.
Luckily something cold can be found on almost every corner in Japan in one of there millions of vending machines. These machines sell nearly everything. Cold drinks, hot ramen, panty hose, bottles of wine (yes bottles) produce, cigarettes and sake. There are a common site and we were used to them, but then we saw it.
Potato Boy.
This faded red, rectangular, metal box wedged in between two other ancient machines could not possibly contain fresh vegetables. Did it even work?
Perhaps it was the monotony of the straight path or the repetitious farm fields that made us stop and fully investigate Potato Boy.
For a little over a 100 yen (about a dollar) you had a choice of Choco-anpan (soft chocolate cookies), potato chips (obvious), Oreos, rice cakes, Ritz Bites, or even nuts.
With a loud echo our coin landed into Potato Boy. Our first choice, Choco-anpan fell into its cavity with a thud. Instead of a package of cookies, Matt reached in and pulled out a large pink box. A wrapped present from Potato Boy!
Gifts can disappoint.
The box was empty. We would try again.
Another 100 yen. Another pink box.
This gift was heavier. A good sign. We slowly lifted the lid and were rewarded with our second choice, a bag of nuts. Freshness was still a question, however.
Later that evening we got an answer when we cracked two cold Asahi beers and opened the bag…
Potato Boy’s gift was perfect. Just like him.
May 14, 2016 - Temple 61-64
