Japanese lessons

The stay in Japan has been amazing. Met many people from different walks of life and learnt many things about them, from them. Little excerpts of their life lessons that they had so kindly shared with me, and imparted to me.

From shiratori, the spirit of experimenting from growing the plants in the farm to the food that they eat.

From Nikko, the lesson of being a boss is never to give up. You are no longer on your own when you are a boss, but you are answerable to your staff who had trusted their career with you.

From Matsumoto, it is never too late to dream. They dream about realising their dream at the age of 60 years old, after they have realised their family commitments, after their kids are all grown up, so what is a young person like me here doing without the courage to realise my dream?

From Baju koen, the fisherman learns his life lessons from the sea, as would the woodcutter from the mountains. He learnt his life lessons from horses, the pride in their finess and the humility in subcumbing to the rider. That is the legacy he wants to leave to his children.

For me, my life lessons have been from the mountains and my travels.

Summer Matsuri

The guys and the girls were dressed in their yugata. Dark blue for the guys, blue, purple, red for the girls, and brightly coloured ones for the children. Even the older folks don on their traditional costumes to take part in the festivities. It was a nice farewell, to end my stay in Japan with the Matsuri and Hanabi.

Jumon Sugi

It had stood at the same spot for 7000 years. It had seen more than anyone of us in the world. For more centuries than we can count. The friends around him came and left. Some came to seek shelter with him. While some withered away, there will always be someone new who came along. Despite all the changes, it stands there silently and steadfastly. If the tree could speak, what would it say?





Wilson stump - I thought it would be a small forsaken tree trunk


The shape of heart


Railway trail that closes on sunday


The three generation tree


I dont understsnd why it is called Shirantani when the whole area is coloured with green moss.

The trip to Miyanoura-dake 1,935 m

It rained the whole night. It was chilly in the morning. Luckily, the rain lessened to a drizzle.

It was pitched dark. The couple who camped outside the hut had already finished packing their tent. An old man who slept in the hut had already moved on. Sean the American boy was stretching his legs, ready to go. He was set on being the first to reach the summit this morning.

A few people came by the mountain hut.

"Ohayo gozaimasu!" the greetings were exchanged. Some paused to rest. Others hurried on. Those who stayed proceeded to remove their raincoats as it was getting too warm after the walk. Some took out their bentos and bottles for a quick bite.

Different worlds, common intention for the day.

Yakushima

After getting my food supplies and sleeping bag, I finally set off to the mountains, in search of the world's wonder. Yakushima has been classified as a Natural World Heritage Site since 1993.


Kigen Sugi




Entrance to the trail with sensei - a die-hard fan of Yakushima


Evening shower!Tsumeitai!


My guardian angels for the trail

Enroute to Yakushima

The ship hailed its final horn, and set off determinedly from the port. I kept waving till I could no longer differentiate their silhouttes from the anglers. My final destination before I head back to Tokyo,and I wondered expectantly whether I would carry off what was suggested - two nights in the mountain hut and trekking to the highest peak.

Compartment on the ship


Sunset




Sunrise

Grand finale

Grand finale at Baju Koen came in various forms.

The day before my departure, Taishiro taught me how to ride the horse and threw a bbq party for me. I was surprised that he even got some fireworks and we had a good time setting them on fire. It had been a long day for everyone as we had just finished building the huts and Marie had been keeping very late nights because of me too.

The day I was leaving, they took time off and showed my around Kagoshima. I wanted to try Ibusuki, but it was so hot that I cannot imagine myself buried under the hot sand.

Being one with the horse


Taishiro and Marie


Mickey and Unoji




Kamikaze Museum, one that brings tears to your eyes


Taishiro and son


So-men cooled by spring water, one and only in Kagoshima


Kagoshima's version of Mt Fuji