Reset
To the right of the Main Hall is the eye-washing well. It claims to cure eye sickness. It took two train stops and another two kilometers of walking to get to Temple 39 (Enkō-ji), but once inside, the “vision” well was our first stop.
My 2009 memory of the grounds recalled this temple fondly. From the statue of a legendary turtle carrying a bell on its back to the brilliantly colored Koi throughout the numerous ponds at the temple.
Continuing on the path a different sort, aerial fish soon filled our view. Jumping, swaying, and playing in the wind, dozens of swimming kites filled the air. The desire to photograph them up close took us off the pilgrim path. Although the macro perspective offered impressive views, a two dimensional image could never capture the grandeur of seeing flying seafood first hand.
Where as the fish in the sky were colorful, the clouds began to darken. My recent failed experiment with DIY rain gaiters came to haunt me. Passing a local uniform store we decided enter and see if they had any real gear to help save me. The accommodating clerk was very patient with my explanation in charades. Lots of pointing to feet and using fingers to mimic rainfall. She must have felt most relieved when I was finally able to present a google image of what was needed. With an eto (Japanese hummmm) she told us to wait and went to make a phone call. Minutes later the owner of the shop came through the door, smiling. She graciously showed us various types of shoe coverings. Although many fit my pantomime, unfortunately none of them fit my photo. As we thanked her for her help she reached into her purse to bring out a photo of her daughter. The very proud mother told us she worked on the cruise ship, Diamond Princess. The sweet boasting continued until we left the shop. Fifteen minutes later, the owner passes us on her white Honda Cub scooter cheerfully yelling “good-bye”. A nice send off out of town and on our way to meet my friend, Noriko and her family for dinner. But maybe some desert first?
It was hard to tell exactly what it was from a distance, but my gut told me to take out my Invisalign trays way before the blurry scene came into focus. (Maybe the eye well was working!) My intuition was right and my gut was happy! Some travel advice: when an ice cream vendor sets up on the side of a busy road and you watch car after car pull over, you know it’s gotta be something special. With only one flavor we each got two scoops. Spending time with the vendor was fun. We took photos together, me holding onto my cone and the cute, but short, vendor holding onto my butt.
We reached the Ipponomatsu Tunnel and called Noriko. The Karasaki clan of five were on schedule. In order to meet them on time this was one tunnel we would not be walking around.
Seeing the smiling faces pull up to the rest stop to pick us up filled me with joy. Our friends invested so much time and effort to meet us. Five hours on the road to have dinner and onsen (Japanese bath) with us. The four hours we would spend together created new memories, fun impressions and promises for the future.
At the onsen Noriko asked me what was the purpose of doing the pilgrimage a second time. To honor my parents memories, and to take a break from an emotional year was my reply. She nodded understandably and said “reset.”
Perfect.
Hundreds of thoughts and emotions summarized in a single word. Noriko has that gift.
At dinner we shared each other stories over a delicious spread of Japanese food. My wind video idea came up and I tried to explain how much the wind in Shikoku has effected me. Noriko’s daughter, Seiko told me she felt that my recently deceased father was the wind, always with me. She continued to explain that wind is strong like a dragon (my dad would have loved the image of himself as a dragon). Wind is powerful and in control but also vulnerable. Wind can change directions and it can change the path. It needs energy to continue. Finally she said, the wind is a traveler and I would continue to adventure for the both us. Her explanation touched my heart.
The most simple explanations are the most meaningful.
Time to reset.
May 2, 2016 - Temple 39
