Day 7: Friday

We did so many things today it is hard to keep track. Megan and I woke up at 5:30 and couldn't fall back asleep so we took a walk to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. It was about a half hour walk or so. This is a picture I took along the way that I thought came out well. We didn't actually get to see the palace because it is behind a big wall and you have to schedule a tour, so we just walked around the gardens for a bit then headed back to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast the group headed to the bus stop for our first event of the day. This is a leaf off of a ginko tree. Ginko trees line the sidewalks in Kyoto and I felt a certain attachment to them because we used to have one on the playground when I was in elementary school and I alwayed loved how unique the leaves were.

Our first event of the day was a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. This is an amazing tradition that takes a lot of time to prepare for and execute, but is very beautiful to observe and be a part of. We had to come through the doors on our hands and knees, learned to prepare the tea and serve it properly, and also how to properly appreciate its history. Joe and Megan volunteered to experience the ceremony first and show us all how it was done. Keiko translated much of what to do and we were able to watch how our hosts stirred the green tea powder into the hot water with a whisk, and place the "cup" just so on the mat. Then Joe used his hands to pull himself over to cup and carefully bring it back to his place. The cup then needs to be rotated and drank from 3 times, then carefully examined (to properly enjoy the nice artwork on the cup) before returning it to the server. There was actually much more to it than that, with every motion being deliberate and necessary. It was really mesmerizing to watch, especially the women serving because they were so graceful.

Here is part of the group attempting to recreate the beauty and gracefulness of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. I can't speak for everyone but I don't think Kenneth and I's attempt could be classified as "beautiful" or "mesmerizing". :) We spent a lot of time looking around trying to figure out what was next. I served first, then got to try my hand at being the guest. The only negative to the experience was the pain in our legs from trying to sit the proper way. I don't think any of us were really prepared for that. The entire experience though was definitely something I will always remember. It is amazing how the traditions in Japan have lasted for so many hundreds of years and their willingness to share them with others.

The entire group. The artwork in the back was actually done by a tea master 200 years ago (I believe I have that right), and when we arrived and before we departed we bowed to it to represent bowing to the tea master.

After the tea ceremony we visited the Golden Temple. Kyoto is full of temples and shrines to visit. This one was surrounded by gardens and other historical buildings. We couldn't get up close to it, but it was beautiful. I think I took over 100 pictures just of temples today.

A few of us split up to do some shopping after the visit to the Golden Temple. To save some yen, we ate at a Lawson's (chain convenience store). I had a sandwich and a banana, which was actually quite delicious :)

A zen garden at the Ryoanji Temple. In Japan, the number 15 stands for something like completeness, so this traditional rock garden has 15 rocks, but only 14 can be seen at a time from any angle. This represents the fact that life is never complete. The story stuck with me because I think it is very true and am amazed at how much time it must take to make these gardens so perfect.

Just another nice picture in the gardens of one of the temples.

Sarah took this in the evening. It is in case anyone wanted to see what the traditional Japanese toilets looked like. :)

So tomorrow is our last day in Japan. We have a sake brewery tour in the morning, then lots of shopping and walking around to see more sites in the afternoon. I can't believe the trip is almost over!