Nara Park

We had a full day today.  The kids had Japanese class in the morning, then right after lunch Grandpa drove us over to Nara.  Nara is a World Heritage Sight, and is the original ancient capital of Japan.  It is a place full of history, Buddhism, Shintoism, temples, gardens, shrines, and sacred deer (messengers of the Shinto gods).  The grounds are vast and we only walked a small part of it.  Grandpa escorted us around by dropping us off at spots, then meeting up with us a bit down the "trails".

Of course there is so much beauty in the ancient structures and grounds, but at the same time it is difficult for me of think of the emptiness that these places hold.  Worshipers clap their hands and ring bells to get the attention of the gods.  They throw money with loud clangs into the coffers and light incense and candles to send pleasing aromas up to their statues, all in an effort to wake the gods up so that they'll hear their prayer requests for prosperity, fertility, and health.  You have to take big steps over thresholds that are meant to make it difficult for evil spirits to enter.  My God is living, He is not a man made structures.  He is always working.  He cannot be contained.  He is the One True God.

Ah, love me a highway magician, ha!

We bought crackers to feed to the deer.  They are none too patient or polite and will butt and nip at you. I almost lost part of my sweatshirt when one came in and got me as well as some skin!

Ringing the bell before her prayer so that it is heard:

Washing hands for purity:

These big guys guard the entrance to the main temple.  They will scare away the evil spirits.  Also note the high threshold on the right to step over.

This temple is the largest wooden structure in the world.  It really is an incredible sight to see, especially to look up when you are inside.  It houses the world's largest bronze statue of buddha (52 ft high) completed in 751. 

Just in case you needed to know the difference between a "knock down" and a "butt".  The deer can be very aggressive.  They wander freely all over the vast grounds.

We finished our field trip at Nara and drove a short distance to Kansai Christian School.  I graduated from KCS 25 years ago (yikes!), but the school is now on a new campus.  This is where Mom works three days a week and where Michaela is helping and taking a Japanese class on Mondays.  Mom has poured her heart and soul into KCS and has played a vital part there over her 28 years on staff.

After a delivered dinner of bento boxes (yum!), we watched the KCS students put on an excellent production of The Cat in the Hat.  It really was great, especially the amazing props that had been crafted.