Mizususawa Temple Quick Temple Visit
Check out my sons and their friend dancing after I ring the giant bell. It is amazing how kids find joy in the simple things.
It is always a pleasure to visit a new temple, though many of them look the same, it is the final details and surroundings that makes the difference. The Mizusawa Temple is located in Gunma prefecture in the town of Ikaho. It is nestled neatly on a hill but is easily accessible by car or in foot.
As we visited in winter, snow could be seen on the ground as well as the roofs of the buildings. This adds an extra mystic to the temples in my opinion. In the picture below, to the left you can see some shops selling souvenirs and snacks made locally. Further along we have the housing for a huge Buddhist bell which many visitors ring through out the year. ( including myself ). Can you guess what the ringing of the bell is said to do?
By ringing the bell, it is believed that your dreams will come true. I actually just researched that weeks after ringing it 😄. Well here is to my dreams coming to reality. That woman in the picture below, who I do not know, was actually at the restaurant we dined at earlier. Not that I was checking here out, but I like to be observant of my environment.
These guys actually rang the bell first as I am on toddler duties, I am usually way behind the group. Got to give it up for my friend Naoki, he is really good with kids, with women, that is a different story 😄.
These photos were actually taken by my wife as I wanted to get some shots of me ringing the bell with the kids. Thinking into the future, I feel the every day consumer will have an AI, mini drone cameras that follow them around and it will be easy to get the perfect shots and videos even if you are by yourself.
Zodiac Buddha
After we rang the bells we went these mini Buddha statues, each representing a Chinese Zodiac sign. You are supposed to go the statue and pray by the sign that you were born in. Can you guess my Chinese Zodiac? ( this will also test to see who reads this stuff).
And here is the Buddhist statue that represents my Chinese zodiac sign. What did I pray? Guidance, protection and insight as usually. It is interesting that many Japanese will say they are not religious, but all around you can see religious practices.
Money Pond
The Mizusawa Temple is filled with rituals and this pond was another one. It is said that wealth will come to the one who throws money into the pond. Interestingly, wealth may come from those who take the money out of the pond as there are some coins in the pond that are 100s of years old. But this is Japan. I doubt anyone would take them...the question is, are they real or just decoration?
The Turn of Faith
And yet another ritual, this one was unlike any I have seen in Japan. There were 9 levers that people could hold onto and push 360 degrees, walking the base of the structure. In this ritual, you and everyone in your group have to hold and and push, rotating the base 7 times and this is said to bring you good luck and protection from the 7 lucky Gods.
Below we have the main temple which we said a prayer at and listened to the chanting by the Buddhist priests taking place. There is a mystical energy to their chanting that cannot be explained and to some it might sound even scary.
The Stairs to the Skys.
These stairs led to another smaller temple on the property but let me tell you, climbing them was a bit scary as they are steep and short. going up wasn't so bad, but going down, one wrong move could lead to a roll to the foot. Going down these stairs, I had to carry my youngest as his mom carried him up but let me tell you, I was as slow as a sloth and as cautions as hunter ( yes that actually makes sense, think about it).
At the top of the stairs, the mini temple had a rope and a circular flat3 bell that made a shallow sound. But the same rituals applied, ring it to make your dreams come true after praying to the Gods. One of my twins had a blast ringing the bell, I am sure the Gods woke up after that.
An Idea of How Cold It Was
All in all it was a nice little excursion on our way to the hotel. I always find it peaceful visiting the temples and I do pray to the creator and ask for guidance. The way I see it, actions taken in certain locations made for such actions cause a reaction and this temple was full of rituals to get you spiritually, physically and aesthetically in tune. The only thing is, it was freezing, just take a look at the frozen stream of water coming from this bamboo pipe and structure.
Until next "Shrine", stay blessed!
