Susan Spann's Blog, page 23

Kōya, Part 2: A Walk to Danjo Garan

Danjo Garan, the primary temple complex on Kōya, sits about two blocks from the “main street” visitor center, shops, and restaurants. Although all of Kōya is considered a single temple complex, Danjo Garan acts as the beating heart of Kōyasan Shingon Buddhism. (To start this series on Kōya from the beginning, click here.) Originally founded by Kōbō Daishi during the early 9th century, Danjo Garan contains several buildings–including the Konpon Daito, or pagoda, that Kōbō Daishi himself had a hand in constructing. Danjo Garan is also famous for its spectacular maple trees, which put on intense shows of beautiful foliage during the autumn

A Visit to Koyasan, part 1: Up the Mountain!

Kōyasan, or Kōya, is a natural basin atop a mountain in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The shallow basin (called a kōya in Japanese) sits 800 meters above sea level, and is home to one of Japan’s most sacred temple complexes (also known as Kōyasan), as well as Japan’s largest cemetery, Okunoin. In the weeks that come, I hope you’ll join me for a virtual tour of Kōya and its various sites of interest. Today, we’re taking the journey up the mountain by cable car. When the famous priest, Kōbō Daishi (also known as Kūkai) founded Kōya during the 9th century, the only way up the

The Eikan-do Garden and Shinbutsu Bunri (Eikan-do, Part 3)

Kyoto’s Eikan-do Zenrin-ji is the head temple of the Seizan branch of Pure Land Buddhism in Japan. The temple sits near the southern end of the famous Philosopher’s Path, and although it’s famous for autumn foliage, the temple gardens are spectacular year-round. The photo above shows the path that leads from the gardens (and pagoda hill) down to the temple’s beautiful lake. (To see this tour of Eikan-do from the beginning, click here) The lake is surrounded by Japanese maple trees, some of which blaze with fiery color even in summertime. The temple’s halls enshrine a famous statue of Amida Buddha

Once More Into the Breach

This morning, I head to the infusion center for my final chemotherapy infusion. Unlike so many endings in life, this one is not bittersweet. (In fact, since I gave up sugar entirely during chemotherapy, but brought a box of lemon Pocky back from Japan to enjoy when it was over, I can tell you the end of chemo will be very sweet indeed.) That said, I don’t regret my decision to undergo chemotherapy after my breast cancer diagnosis, even though my stage (1a) made it my choice rather than something I “had” to do. My cancer was “triple negative,” meaning it wasn’t fueled

Hanami and Cherry Blossom Forecasts in Japan

Yesterday at Murder is Everywhere, I posted a blog about the traditional hanami – “flower viewing” – parties that happen at sakura (cherry blossom) season. (Photo credit: Xyrenth – used with permission.) Cherry blossoms are such an important part of Japanese culture that the Japanese National Tourism Organization (and other media outlets) publish an annual “sakura forecast” predicting the date when cherry blossoms will open across Japan.  (This year’s forecast is still up, here.) (Photo credit: Xyrenth – used with permission.) The blooms appear and die quickly–peak viewing lasts only a few short days–so the forecast is important for people wanting to plan hanami parties

A Visit to Eikan-do, part 2: The Pagoda

No visit to Kyoto’s Eikan-do would be complete without a visit to the hillside pagoda – though many visitors miss the amazing view because the path to the pagoda (and the fact that it’s open to the public) isn’t always obvious. The path lies past the dragon fountain, at the edge of the steep hillside incline at the back of the temple grounds. (Click here to start the tour of Eikan-do Zenrin-ji from the beginning.) Several flights of stairs lead up the hill to a pair of observation platforms, one halfway to the pagoda:   and the other at the pagoda’s base.

A Visit to Eikan-do (Part 1)

Eikan-do Zenrin-ji sits on the southern end of the famed “Philosopher’s Path” that runs along a canal in Northeastern Kyoto. Founded during the mid-9th century, Zenrin-ji is the head temple of the Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrin-ji sect of Buddhism in Japan, and although it’s a popular tourist spot, it’s also very much a living, functioning Buddhist temple. The front gate of Eikan-do lies at the end of a tree-lined path. The temple itself backs up to the side of the hills that surround Kyoto. In fact, the temple’s pagoda perches high on a hill above the rest of the temple grounds. Visitors

Springtime in Tokyo!

Sadly, I had to leave Tokyo last week and return to the USA to finish chemotherapy. (On the positive side, I had an infusion last week, and only have one more to go!) Fortunately, I didn’t miss out on all of the lovely spring flowers in Japan. As I blogged last week, I finally achieved my lifelong dream of seeing the cherry blossoms (only one tree, but it counts) and I also had the chance to see a number of other lovely blooms while visiting Hamarikyu Gardens. Like all of Tokyo’s public parks, Hamarikyu Gardens is a popular spot for flower

Heading For the Chemo Finish Line – and Japan

Today I had my penultimate infusion of Taxol chemotherapy. Now that I only have one more to go, I’m starting to reflect on this journey and the things I’ve learned, and to make more solid preparations for the upcoming move to Japan. I’m still waiting to hear about my visa, but hoping it comes through before my chosen departure date of May 15. (If not, I have a backup plan to get residency so I can get the mountains climbed.)  Since my husband and I are taking our cats to Japan along with us (no family member left behind!) we’ve been working

Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo!

I’m flying back from Tokyo today. Although I only had a week to spend in Japan this time (I have chemo Wednesday morning, and need to keep the infusions on track) I consider the trip a resounding success. I met with my immigration representative and signed my visa application. I received confirmation that the application was filed – and, hopefully, will hear the results within the next month or two. (Here’s hoping for good news!) I spent some time with my son (I call him “Junior” to protect his anonymity), ate in fantastic restaurants, and visited both the Hamarikyu Gardens and the Imperial Palace