The summer's grass
'Tis all that's left
Of an ancient warrior's dreams

Sept. 8 - Walking in Hiraizumi, Ann and I came across a stone monument with this inscription just outside of the Motsu Temple's southern gate. Our guide, a very kind priest, told me that this script came from the calligraphy of Japan's most famous haiku poet, Basho.

As we gazed across the lovely Pure Land garden, he told us that 500 priests had lived at this vast temple, which was filled with bustling activity in the 12th century. After the fall of the Oshu Fujiwara family patrons, repeated fires destroyed many temple buildings. By the time Basho visited Hiraizumi in the 16th century, the lovely Pure Land garden and the archeological remains were all that was left of its former glory. Thinking about this, Ann and I could understand the regret that Basho must have felt as he wrote this poem.

At the nearby Chusonji Temple, we met another priest who told us that he had grown up here. As we toured the magnificent Konjikido hall that was completed in 1124, he told us a bit about his boyhood life in this historical spot. In many ways his childhood was like any other. He remembers riding his sled over the new fallen snow down the hill to school. But from a small age, he knew that his birthplace was special. He said that as a boy when he dug a hole, he would frequently discover something old and precious. For that reason he is working hard to preserve the temple and its beautiful grounds.

Ann and I appreciate Japan's long and glorious history. While we share Basho's sorrow that warfare and natural disasters have destroyed so much of this history, we are always happy to meet people such as this Chusonji priest who appreciate and preserve Japan's heritage.

Until next time,

Jim