Photos: Tabuse, Japan

From April to June of 2009, I lived in Tabuse, Japan, at the International Headquarters of Tensho-Kotai-Jingu-Kyo, the teaching I grew up in. I lived in the dorm, helped around the grounds, and did a lot of walking.

Dojo Facilities

This is the entrance to the main dojo, or Preaching Hall

From the stairs to the small dojo, looking towards the town of Tabuse

Doshi (followers) in the small dojo for the afternoon session


The childrens' slippers were always lined up neatly
It was azalea season when I arrived in late April. See how the doshi kept them amazing.		These stone walls were impressive, and were everywhere on the grounds

I went for a lot of walks around the area...		...in town...
...but mostly out of town...		...through the valleys...
...seeing ponds...		...and rice paddies.
Occasionally I looked up....		... to see the occasional bird in the tree...
...or down...		...like in Okinawa, I liked the manhole covers.
I reveled in the green landscapes, so much like Hawaii.		I was amazed to think of all the people who spent their lives cultivating this part of the world.
This scene was just outside the dojo grounds.		On the north side of the Tabuse Agriculture High School grounds.

I liked this: pink car, Hello Kitty dolls in the windshield

Removing spent azalea blossoms from the bushes		Precision trimming the azaleas in front of the office
This ladder set up reminded me of modern art installations

This reminded me of Eikoh Hosoe's Kamaitachi #8
When the doshi go on break, they leave their bags and tools neatly lined up		Sorting and bagging ume (plum) for sale
With so much rain, weeding was a never-ending task		Mrs. Tagawa, in her 80s, was the most pious, devout person I've ever met. Here she is raking the grass, looking like a pixie

Dorm Life at Honbu

The view outside my dorm room, looking out on the roof, reminded me of a modern minimalist painting		I much preferred days when it rained
Drying futon covers on the dorm roof		The nostalgic afternoon light in the hallway brought to mind Al Stewart's "Time Passages"

Playing Tourist

Heading towards Uma (Horse) Island

At Ruriko-Ji, a Buddhist temple in Yamaguchi built in 1442