Today , we decided to walk to Ueno park through the back streets of our neighbourhood. Such wandering is one of my favourite ways to explore a city. We discovered that the Japanese use bicycles to get around in a leisurely fashion. Even the elderly and infirm cycle elegantly and slowly through the streets rather than taking a car. We also discovered that they store their bicycles in tiered bike stands under their apartment buildings, and crime is so low that no one bothers to use bike locks. We also noticed how keen the locals are to create little gardens: either groups of pots on the footpath outside their homes, or in garden beds if they have them. There is something cheering about these flashes of colour amongst all the concrete. We passed a group of childcare workers pushing 3 big pram-loads of children , all wearing their identifying nursery hats, out for a walk. They look so cute. Once children go to school, parents seem to happy to let them navigate the streets and trains alone. This indicates a high rate of confidence in their safety that makes one wonder why we don't have the same confidence in Australia.
We passed through bustling street markets near the railway line selling everything from dried squid to mochi, shoes to toys, sexual dress ups to restaurant meals. So alive and vibrant.
Then we were miraculously among the trees and paths of Ueno park. The miracle of an oasis in the city. We came upon Kiyomisu Kannon -Do where one can leave prayers for a pregnancy which is safe and healthy. Inside the temple is beautiful, and there is a view through the gardens towards the Shinobazu Pond and the Bentendo Temple. This temple reminded me of the similarities between all religions with its stress on cleansing oneself before prayer, its specific deity for a specific problem, its candles and its atmosphere of quiet and peacefulness.
We strolled on through the woods to the Tokyo National Museum. The Honkan, or Japanese Gallery, a very impressive and imposing building, with beautiful lamps, lead lights and mosaics. The collection provides a summary of Japanese art from ancient times to the 19th century. We enjoyed its collection of ceramics, fabrics, painting, woodblocks, furniture, enamel wear, netsuke, metalwork and more. The craftsmanship involved in the creation of even something as simple as a bobbin is extraordinary in this country. We tried stamping Japanese motifs and had a lot of fun. Truly worth a visit.
We also visited the Toyokan, which showcases art from Asia, which includes India and Egypt. Again, the collection is quite stunning. The links, similarities and differences between the different cultures is very interesting. We tried our hands at interpreting dreams and embossing, but passed on fortune telling with knucklebones. Another very impressive museum
We returned home via the amazing, lotus covered , Shinobazu Pond . Descending the steps towards Bentsen Island with its Bentendo temple, we were startled to see the roadside lined with people leaning on the railing all checking their phones. How odd. Passing fast food vendors, and multitudes of statues, we climbed the steps to the temple, which proved to be very rich and photogenic.
Then it was slowly home in the dusk, to put up our feet and rest.
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