Hi, guys.
I went cherry blossom viewing the other day in Kyoto for the first time in several years.
Even more impressively on site, there were more of international visitors rather than Japanese ones. I felt so familiar with the atmosphere unique to Kyoto as I'd been out of japan for the most of time of last 7years.
Of course, I am STILL a Japanese, though.. lol
ども。ひさしぶりに日本で桜が見れました。
日本に戻って慌しいですが、先日、京都へ。そして外国人の多さに感動さえ覚えました。住むなら京都がいいと本気で思いましたね。
Then, I drew my fortune to get my fortune this year told. It's unique to Japan called Omikuji - a piece of paper which can be got in the most Shinto shrines during the New Year.
You can pick it up at random and on the paper, it is saying how lucky you are.
You might see in shrines many paper fortune is fastened to trees or ropes. There are some explains for this custom and major one.
"If the paper says you'll have excellent luck this year, you should bring it on your person. However, if it says bad luck might strike you this year, you can fasten it up to a tree or a rope in the shrine and you can escape from the bad luck."
This custom is stem from not only religious belief but traditional behavior.
As for myself... I don't wanna say, but.. yea I drew a curse which is the worst luck in Omikuji..
清水寺で引いたおみくじはなんと「凶」。なぜ出たのかの理由も納得。笑
Anyway, I visited some other shirines and temples in Kyoto. It was absolutely a wonderful day, but I still remember how much of impact I received when I laid my eyes on Angkor Watt in Cambodia. I know I shouldn't compare it to others, but it was too impressive to get rid of.
三十三間堂にも行き、１０００体の観音像に圧倒されながらもカンボジアのアンコールワットと比べてしまい、あまりインパクトはなく。ですが、ひさびさに訪れることができた京都。いつ行っても素晴らしい場所ですね。