Minami-Sunamchi Temple

The other day my mom and brother and I went to Minami-Sunamachi. My mom was so excited to show us this temple that she had seen. After getting out at Minami-Sunamachi station we had a little walk. We saw many cool things. The flowers and trees are becoming such beautiful colors at this time of year.
Once we reached the place where the temples where we looked at all of these statues of people who had died. I was thinking that maybe they had protected Tokyo and that is why there gravestones and the area around it was so beautiful. One thing that our mom wanted us to see was what the people did once they came up to the temple. We just stayed quiet and watched their actions for a while. What they would do is they would go up to this pretty fountain where the water comes out of the dragons mouth and get theses cups and wash there hands from the fountain. Then they would buy incense. Next they would walk up to this covered fire and burn there incense. I saw many people after they burn it they would cover themselves with smoke. Then they would enter the shrine usually bowing before they walk up the stairs. Once they got in they would pray.
Later my mom and I were looking at these wood pieces with Japanese writing on them. There were many of them hanging up. After that we walked over to this big sign and stared at it like we knew what we were reading. Then this older Japanese man walks up and ask my mom "Do you know what that sign says?" She turned around and looked at him and said "Have no clue.... do you know what that sign says?" Then the man started laughing and said "Yes! But it is very hard to uh translate! into English." Then he looked at t and started reading to us what it said. It turns out that there are many different types of Buddha and this temple worships one of them. He said that this temple garuded and protected Tokyo when a horrible disaster hit. We had no idea what he meant by a horrible disaster though. Then we had a little conversation about ourselfs. Next then man turned to look at us and said, "I must go pray now" making his hands in the prayer simbol. Then we said our goodbyes. It was a very interesting experience for us and for him. I'm sure that it was fun for him to meet some Americans and to be able to practice his English on us.

Pictures

Chopsticks

I'm sure all of you have heard of the Japanese eating utensil, chopsticks. Now that I live in Japan pretty much whenever you eat use chopsticks, even corn and peas! Chopsticks are made of Japanese yew wood and are given to guest at most Japanese restaurants.
There are many manners with chopsticks; You are not suppose to wave them in front of food dishes deciding what you want to eat, to bring a bowl closer to you by grabbing it with your chopsticks, grabbing a bowl in the same hand your chopsticks are in, and it is very rude to stab your food with your chopsticks or leave with your chopsticks straight up in your food, this is how the Japanese honor the dead.

Kimonos and Yukatas

The kimono and Yukata are Japanese traditional style dresses. A Yukata is a kimono but is built for the summer and is more casual. It is also worn after bathing in traditional Japanese inns. The Kimono is the national costume of Japan. Kimonos are T-shaped robes that rap around your body and are tied with a belt. There are many different types of these clothing for women, men, and children. There are special ones for weddings too. These elegant Japanese style dresses can be seen all over Japan.