This Kumano Jinja was founded in 811 by Nichiren Shounin, a Shugendo priest, and is dedicated to five deities: Izanami no Mikoto, Izanagi no Mikoto, Amaterasu Oomikami, Hayatama no o no Mikoto, and Kotosaka no o no Mikoto. Visitors to Kumano Jinja come to pray for good marriages, easy delivery of children, longevity, and good health.
Next, we have Shogo-in, first built in 1090. After former Emperor Shirakawa visited the three Kumano Mountains, he gave archbishop Zoyo a temple in return for Zoyo acting as his guide on the journey. This temple also belongs to Shugendo, which combines elements from esoteric Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, and other religions.
Lastly, we have Suga Jinja or the Traffic Shrine, just across the street from Shogo-in. Built in 1142, it is also dedicated to five deities and protectors of the Shogo-in district, kami of matchmaking, protection from misfortune, and for traffic safety: Susanoo no Mikoto, Kushiinadahime no Mikoto, Kunado no Kami, Yachimatahiko no Kami, and Yachimatahime no Kami.
An interesting practice session across the street from the bus stop:
It's a little hard to see, but here's a hint: Where are the other 73?
And there were still yet adventures to look forward to that evening...in the kitchen.Tina went to Hiroshima for the weekend, so she gave me some food of hers which she didn't want to go bad. Chicken and spring onions. Sure, sounds like I could work with that.
Now, I was happy to oblige with not wasting food, but I'm teeeerrible at spontaneous improvisational cooking.
Point of fact, I put vinegar in the pan instead of cooking oil.
Oh, dear.
Luckily for me, between the spring onions, the garlic butter, and a bit of soy sauce, the, er, meal was salvageable. Actually, it was pretty delicious. And I'd pretty much just thrown in the onions and chicken and waited until they looked edible. Go me.
