Some of you know that I’m on a new quest to visit some sites around the world where a feminine divinity is or has been worshipped/revered. I took advantage of the fact that Bill had some business in Japan to do some exploring of a few temples and shrines. Below are just some of my photos from our whole two-week trip. I’ll note the goddesses here and will write more about them on my camiostman.net blog in weeks to come.

Old friends from the Asia University America Program:

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Bill with some of his former students.

 

 

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These are the students from the AUAP 1988 pilot program!

 

 

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My old pal, Koichi.

 

 

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Dear friends Kakuei and Yayoi with their six-year-old, Koichiro, and the new baby, Shotaro.

 

 

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Shotaro–our youngest Japanese friend. Only 18 days old here.

 

 

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Before Bill retires, he says goodbye to good friends.

 

 

My solo trip to and around Nagoya:

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The Taga Shrine, where Mizanami (mother of shinto Kami, Amaterasu, dwells).

 

 

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We haven’t quite figured out what/who these figures depict. Anyone know?

 

 

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The Chikubushima Island in the middle of Lake Biwa. This guy fights against your inner demons.

 

 

 

 

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One image of the Benzaiten.

 

 

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The Benzaiten is known as the goddess of all that flows: Music, literature, dance, etc. This is another image of her holding her instrument.

 

 

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Shrine to the rice goddess in Ise City.

 

 

 

 

Temples around Tokyo

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A Benzaiten in Ueno Park in the heart of Tokyo.

 

 

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This goddess used to eat children until she repented. Now she is the protector of women and children.

 

 

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She steals clothing from the dead at the gate to the underworld.

 

 

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On my only run through Tokyo we found a Benzaiten temple, but she was locked inside, and I didn’t get to see her.

 

 

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Dinner with Bill’s good friend, Norio, and his whole family. I’ve NEVER eaten so much sushi in one sitting!

 

 

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Norio tries to help me figure out a picture of one of the goddesses.

 

 

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Did I mention I fell crossing a train track and smashed up my leg. Ug!

 

Our visit to Hiroshima:

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The bomb fell at 8:15 on August 6th.

 

 

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They call this the Atomic Dome. It’s the only remaining building from before the bomb.

 

 

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Hiroshima’s goddess of peace.

 

 

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Ringing the peace bell in Hiroshima.

 

Miyajima—Japan’s most famous shrine resides here.

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The gate (in the water) to the Itsukushima shrine.

 

 

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There are tame dear all over Miyajima. Be careful though, they’ll eat your brochures.

 

 

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There is a most famous Benzaiten statue on Miyajima Island, but she is in hiding except for her festival once a year (in June). This is outside her temple.

 

 

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Some of the rules we needed to obey in our hotel in Hiroshima.

 

Tokyo Beer:

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Back in Tokyo, we found a microbrewery near the Harajuku station.

 

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Farewell to Japan for now. Till next time!

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