Atago Shrine - a Horse and Hanami Story

In Tokyo proper, ie the one with a mere 13 million people (as opposed to Greater Tokyo with its 30 million), there are precisely 2,782 temples (they're tax exempt so yes, there is a known number) providing the services of your local, friendly, neighborhood monks performing a number of historical duties. And if you visit all the nearly 3,000, remember to take your temple book as evidence of your achievements! One, in the center of the Shitamachi district of Tokyo (literally "Downtown") was, in days gone by, situated, at 26m above sea level, upon the summit of the highest ground around, Atago Hill. That is before the elevator was created.

Atago Jinja boasts multiple shrines to various deity though on the whole with a theme of success and good fortune in various aspects of future life. There is, as well, a pond with some of the meanest looking koi I've ever seen as they climb over each other for the food distributed by the tourists. It is also the location of the 86, near vertical (slightly steeper than El Capitan if you see what I mean), "Steps to Success", a flight of stone stairs that led from the street to the summit. And, to woo the good favor of Shogun Iieyesu, were ridden by a samurai, who gained a blossom branch and fame and fortune. 

The illustrations show the intrepid knight riding directly up the stairs, though physics would suggest it must have been sideways or he would have fallen rather inelegantly back to the foot of the stairs. History records the samurai declared he had achieved his life's desire. Strangely however, it doesn't seem to have made a record of what precisely was going through the horses mind as it precariously tiptoed those 45 minutes all the way down again...

Interesting Japanese Phrases - A Leap of Faith

One of the best places to spend a summers afternoon in Kyoto is the balcony at Kiyomisu, the temple high up on the mountain sides overlooking the city. Enjoy a quiet beer to quench the thirst and simply watch the world go by. The walk up from the center of town is an adventure in it's own right but it's the destination that makes the hike worthwhile.

Today the deck is the haunt of tourists but in the past it was the stage for artists to entertain the crowds. A fair few of whom are reputed to have become a little too enthusiastic and managed to plunge over the edge into the depths below.

And from this arises the phrase "Kiyomizu no butai kara toni oriru tsumori de" meaning to jump from the deck of Kiyomizu Temple (intentional or not). A more colloquial translation though reflects the moment of working up the courage to take the plunge (assuming intent), or more simply "a leap of faith". Something else to ponder as you enjoy that ice cold beer.