Early breakfast today. Had to be at Saho Kaikan (Nara Women's University Alumni Association Hall) for rehearsal of the Kamishibai (picture-show). This was a new experience for me, since I'd never seen such a thing before, but it went fine even though I was telling in English what would and should normally be spoken in Japanese to match the pictures in the show. But my actions and gestures carried it off, I think.
On then to the Ikoma Great Shrine. A Shinto shrine, this. And for the first time I began to understand why Japanese and Irish may not have too much difficulty in understanding each other as regards religion - at least of the traditional kind.
The approach-way to that shrine reminded me very much of some blessed wells at home and when I got to the shrine itself it was extremely like one of them. I felt quite at home there. The surroundings were the same, as were the people in their attitudes - even though they might be coming for something quite different than me. Remarkable!
On then to the Ikoma Great Shrine. A Shinto shrine, this. And for the first time I began to understand why Japanese and Irish may not have too much difficulty in understanding each other as regards religion - at least of the traditional kind.
The approach-way to that shrine reminded me very much of some blessed wells at home and when I got to the shrine itself it was extremely like one of them. I felt quite at home there. The surroundings were the same, as were the people in their attitudes - even though they might be coming for something quite different than me. Remarkable!
