New Years Greetings From the Emperor

The emperor's palace is only open to the public two days a year, on the emperor's birthday, December 23, and on January 2 for the emperor's new years blessing.  So through the exotic pines, security lines, and gates of the palace we went for the 11:00 viewing of the emperor behind bullet proof glass.  I'm sure whatever he said was good luck.  

Then off to Ofuna to check out the Buddhist caves carved by hand from 1170 to 1720 full of imagery of Buddha, stories, and ancient wisdom unknown to us.  Small candles lit our way along passages too short for anyone over 4 feet and the sound of running water everywhere... quiet contemplation among the craziness of technicolor signage and accosting tones of musical shopping districts.... 

In Kamakura, one of the Giant Buddhas, a gentle giant cast in bronze, looking down on the gawkers, gaijn (foreigners) and Japanese alike.  How did they cast bronze in 1290? How idd they cast bronze in 1290 the size of a two story building?  The sunlight cast a glow upon his smiling features... red bean filled pancake buddhas for sale outside.... temple books with calligraphy for each visit you have... always the tinkling sound of japanese in the background...

Hacedera.  Temple in Kamakura, set back in the hills, over looking the ocean... Incense swirls in the air and the coy ponds are filled with cold fish, colorful and barely moving.  Blue skies,  cold and clear winter days.