Nara, Mie, and Wakayama

During the premodern and early modern periods, families and individuals specializing in information gathering and non-conventional fighting methods found refuge in mountainous areas in Iga province (present day Mie prefecture). Though living in villages that were accessible by roads, they also designated hidden places as their refuge in times of emergency. Many artifacts and weapons found in one such place, Akame, have confirmed the existence of a group of warriors living in hiding. On the left is a small part of this hiding place, now a tourist attraction for its beauty. On the right is another waterfall higher up the stream, which had an especially good feeling to it. I set in meditation on a rock under the waterfall for about twenty minutes. The cold water on my head and shoulders were very good for my meditation.
The person who is said to have originated Iga ryu ninjutsu was the governor of Tamba, Momochi Sandaiyu. His house still exists in a small village in the Iga region, and serves as a regular residence for a local family. In the picture below it is possible to see that the house is strategically located in an elevated area. As one of the local residents characterized the Momochi house: "it is the only house with a big gate."

Kuki Bay--homebase of Kuki suigun (naval force)

The Kuki family became known in the medieval period for its navy. Before becoming a naval force, the Kuki warriors were fearsome pirates who terrorized the Inland Sea. Their hiding place was a hidden bay in the south-eastern part of Kishu-hanto. These days, the bay is peaceful and serves the few fishermen living in the village. The photo above was taken from the eastern end of the bay. On the left is the Kuki fishing village.

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A view of the Kuki bay from a point beyond the village.
The Kuki bay as seen from the mountains surrounding it.
Kuki jinja

Kumano Taisha

Kumano Taisha in the south-east region of Kishu-hanto is one of the most important shrines of shugendo. The original shrine was located near Kumano river but after it was destroyed in a flood the shrine was rebuilt on higher grounds.
Kumano River
Kumano river is a special place for spiritual refinement. Meditation in the cold flowing river was indeed refreshing.

Kofun of Empress Suiko (?)

Archeologists have recently discovered a kofun (ancient grave site in the shape of a big mound, or small hill, often surrounded by a moat) which they believe is that of Empress Suiko (reigned 592-628 C.E.). The picture on the left was taken during a lunch break when the diggers left the site empty. The graves are located on the left side in what seems to be an elongated hole (situated on a right-left axis).

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Kofun of Emperor Tenmu (reigned 673-686 C.E.)

Emperor Tenmu is considered one of very few emperors who held real military power. His contribution to the development of warfare was in his organization of a conscription army, and the use of bows on a large scale.
Kofun of Emperor Tenmu--a view from a distance.

Todaiji Daibutsu

The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Todaiji temple in Nara is indeed an impressive statue. What is equally impressive is the wooden hall inside which the Daibutsu is housed. The hall is massive in size and is made of wood. In fact, it is considered the largest wooden structure in the world.
Feeding a Nara deer (Nara shika) near Todaiji. The deer are protected and roam around the temple and Nara park. They do not fear people and cars. Their sole concern is being fed. At times they even become rude. While feeding the father deer, a young deer came from behind and bit my behinds (you can see his nose next to my left hip. Being skillful at Ninpo did not prepare me for this kind of a bandit. Naturally, I gave him food in order to save my pants.

KAMAKURA TRIP

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