our anniversary! in transit from osaka to hiroshima after 8 days in the metropolis. what a contrast! we arrive in the early evening, and although it is still a big city, it lacks the hustle and bustle of a major city center. another j-hoppers, not as stylish as the osaka one, nor are we meeting as many of the other patrons, but the staff seems just as friendly and helpful. we are directed to the closest 'vegan friendly' restaurant, and make our way there for a late dinner. Nora-Ya, cute little place with a local feel. fortunately for us, there is a gentleman there who translates the do's and dont's of my diet to a woman who is very eager to accomadate. a lovely japanese meal made of organic local food for our 16th anniversary dinner! oishii! a really nice night.
hiroshima. september 5th
a day with huge impact. a sobering visit to the peace memorial museum and park here in hiroshima. words alone cannot describe such an event the way added images and accounts can. being here, long after the aftermath, in this city of peace. and needing to be here, to know, to see, to understand in some small way. what a nightmarish moment in history. one of many from this war. is there really a way to understand something like this?
from Sadako Sasaki's 1000 paper cranes for peace project, which has inspired a continual stream of paper cranes from across the world for the peace memorials both in hiroshima and nagasaki, to the children's memorial statue, to the cenotaph for the victims of the bombing, to the museum describing and portraying the gruesome details of the events and aftermath of the bomb dropped on hiroshima, and to the a-bomb dome, the only monument left standing as a memory of why nuclear bombings and war should never ever happen again. these significant sights are an all too close reminder of just how fragile we still are to another possible nuclear disaster for humanity and the planet.
hiroshima. september 6th
slow start to the day, but once it was under way, a bit of an adventure took us to the fudenosato kobo - the brush museum in kumano village in the hills east of hiroshima. a tram, a train, another train, a bus and a taxi! this museum is dedicated to the art of (japanese) hand-made brush making, for calligraphy, painting, make up. very stylish displays, of art, brushes, photos. this village is home to many of Japan's finest fude crafts people. perfecting the art of brush making. very inspiring. maybe some artwork will show up on here sometime soon...
also currently featured in the museum, an exhibit of fine brush art work by well-known Japanese stars and public figures. most notable to us is the filmmaker "kitano "beat" takeshi".
kumanofude / fudenosato kobo
hiroshima. september 7th
met some other hostellers last night, chatted awhile. got up too late this morning to meet with them and go to miyajima island, so we ended up going on our own in the afternoon. another HOT day, but not as humid, a bit of a relief. a really scenic island an hour from hiroshima, it's sunday, so quite crowded too. made our way out of the crowds of people and wild deer to a beautiful temple, Daishoin. many photos...
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