Namu Amida Butsu - Adoration be to Budha Amitabha

Two views of the Hasedera Temple where Hase Knnon is worshipped.

As usual, Saurav did all the research and came up with the travel plan to Kamakura and Enoshima.

Kamakura was the Capital of Japan during 12th to 14th Century. Kamakura is a temple town with many important Budhist temples spread over the small town.

We took the train to Kamakura from  Yokohama by around noon. Being a holiday the town was overflowing with people.

There was a large que to the Kamakura temple and we decided that it will take hours before we could enter and it is better to skip Kamakura and proceed to Hase where the "Daibutsu" or the great Buddha of Kamakura is located.

Meanwhile it was 1.30 and we went into the T Side restauruant for an Indian Lunch. We did see another Indian restauraunt, Mony's by the side of the main temple, but Saurav preferred T side because they had Dosa!

The Chef was from Chennai, but spoke Malayalm as well. He fed us Masala Dosa and Rice with Rasam, Sambar and curry, all hot and steaming. We enjoyed the meal very much.

After the meals, we returned to Kamakura station and went to the Enoden line platform. There was a huge crowd waiting for the train. We did not get the first train, but managed to get into the second one. It was like the locals in Mumbai. People literally standing on each others toes. We were afraid whether we will be able to get out at Hase. Luckily half the crowd got down at Hase and we too. It was a short walk to the Kotokuin Temple. We paid the small fee to enter the temple premises and went into the temple. The view was impressive.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara's Todaiji Temple.

The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were destroyed multiple times by typhoons and a tidal wave in the 14th and 15th centuries. So, since 1495, the Buddha has been standing in the open air.

We went around taking pictures. I noticed that many small statues in the temple premises are of Hindu Gods and goddesses and the way of offering prayers also was very similar with bowed head and clasped palms. They even beat their cheks as some do in our temples and offer coins too.

This is the incense box infront of the statue and as you can see, the engraved goddesses in the Lotus are much similar to Goddess Saraswati! Even the main diety inside a side temple is called "Kannon" കണ്ണന്‍ in Malayalam!

We went inside the statue. It was noted there that the statues was made in 32 pieces and joined together. The joints are so good that it do not leak even now.

Next we moved to the great Hase Kannon temple (there again കണ്ണന്‍ ) called Hasedera. 

Hasedera is a temple of the Jodo sect, that is most famous for its statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The statue shows Kannon with eleven heads (Dasavatharam + 1?), each representing a characteristic of the goddess. The 9.18 meter tall, gilded wooden statue is regarded as the largest wooden sculpture in Japan, and can be viewed in the temple's main building, the Kannon-do Hall.

Hasedera is built along the slope of a wooded hill. A pretty garden with ponds is found at the base of the slope just after entering. The temple's main buildings are built further up the slope, reached via stairs. Along the way stands the Jizo-do Hall with hundreds of small statues of the Jizo Bodhisattva who helps the souls of dead children to reach the paradise.

 

 (The photo above is from Japan tourism and not by me).
Next to the Kannon-do Hall stands the Amida-do Hall, which exhibits an almost three meter tall golden statue of Amida Buddha. Nearby is also an observation deck with views over the coastal city of Kamakura and a small restaurant where Japanese sweets such as mitarashi dango, small rice flour dumplings covered with a sticky sauce made of sugar and soya sauce, and other meals, snacks and beverages are served.

Next to the temple garden at the base of the slope stands the Benten-do, a small hall that contains a figure of Benten (also known as Benzaiten), a goddess of feminine beauty and wealth. Sculptures of Benten and other minor gods can be found in a small cave (Benten-kutsu) next to the Benten-do.

 The temple was great and inside the decorations on the very large diety was quite impressive. However photgraphy was not allowed.

Because it was winter, they close up early and we could not visit the caves within the premises.

We said Sayanora to the beutiful disciples of the temple and left for Enoshima.

O-shogatsu, Hatsumoude and Hakone ekiden

"O-shogatsu" is the New Year holidays in Japan and one usually observed enthusiastically. Our office closed on 29th December afternoon and will reopen on 5th January only. It is very rare to see Japanese taking such long breaks.
On 3rd of January, Osawa san invited me to join him and Subbarayan san for a trip to Tokyo. After some misadventures, a visit to Sogo store and a cup of Indian Tea at Nirvana Spice Cafe in the Yokohama station 6th floor, we finally started our journey at 12.45 from Yokohama.

When we arrived in Shibakoen station and emerged into the streets, there were large crowds lining up the roads and cheering runners on the road. Osawa san told us it is the Hakone Ekiden race Tokyo's Otemachi business district and the spa resort of Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture, a distance of 217.9 km. While we were there, Ryo Takami of Toyo University won the race in 11 hrs, 10 min and 13 seconds.

"Hatsumoude" is the Japanese tradition of offering prayers for the first time in the New Year. Osawa san guided me and Subbarayan san to the shrine called Zojoji in Tokyo to witness the rush of people coming there to offer Hatsumode. Zojoji Temple is the chief temple of the Jodo-Buddist sect. It was originally founded in 1393.

The Sanmon, the main gate to the Zojoji Temple, seen above, was built in 1605. It is constructed in a Chinese Tang Dynasty style and is a rare example of early Edo-period architecture. (The Edo period, or Tokugawa period, is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868 and is the premodern era).


There were hundreds of people arriving to the temple to offer Hatsumoude. We went inside with them. What greeted us was the breathtaking view of a golden shrine with the priest chanting prayers.

People were seen putting money into the collection box and offering prayers in Indian style with both their hands held together.
When we got out of the shrine we found people writing their wishes and tying it to a pine tree. Like in Hindu custom, their was a fire burning in the courtyard.

We moved on and saw rows of small doll like statues lined in rows on one side of the courtyard.

We were told that these are statues of "jizobosatusu", the protector of the souls of stillborn children and the Buddhist equivalent of an angel. Mothers who have lost an unborn child may dedicate an image of the deity and decorate it with baby clothes and toys.
We then went on to the nearby Tokyo Tower, which is the tallest self-supporting steel structure in the world at 332.5 meters / 1091 ft (ahead of Eiffel tower which is 320 m).

After waiting in the Que for an hour, we went up to the main observation floor, but the atmosphere was cloudy and the view was not so good. On the way down, we ate lunch from Tokyo Curry lab on the 2nd floor of the Tower - Chicken curry and rice!

After that we walked to the JR line station and went on to Akihabara, the electronic shopping district.


Couple of hour of window shopping and some shopping, we were tired and got back into the train to Yokohama. After saying good bye to Osawa san and Subbarayan san, I went back into the 6th floor of Sogo and bought the Hina dolls form the traditionally dressed Japanese lady.

Date Line: Tokyo, 31-12-2009

Year 2009 is about to become history.
Sitting in Yokohama, looking out to the Yokohama bay bridge and the large Ferris wheel at the Minato Mirai sea front, I don't feel euphoric, but tired. Tired and alone.
Far away from home, family, alone in this strange city. It has been 30 years since I first walked into Gammon India on my first day of work on 1st January 1980!

Colleagues in JGC GASCO team celebrated New Year on 29th at 12.00 with wine and sushi in the office.

Since then, it was officially new year holiday period for JGC. Me and Saurav worked also on 30th.
We planned to visit Tokyo on 31st. We started late at 1 pm. Took a train on the JR Tokaido line. The train stopped at Kawasaki, Shinagawa and Shimbashi before arriving in Tokyo. We took the Marunouchi south exit. It was cold at 8 degrees at 2.15 PM. First we decided to take an open bus tour of Tokyo so that we can get a glimpse of all main areas of Tokyo. The bust started at 3 pm. However, soon it became very windy and temperature dropped. We were getting frozen. The bus took a tour around the Imperial Palace, the Government district, the Diet, the fashion streets of Ginza and Marunouchi Naka Dori Avenue before coming back to the Marunouchi building where we started. Braving the cold wind and freezing temperature we went about on foot to the Imperial palace again. Went to the Nijubashi bridge from where part of the Imperial Palace is visible. The Tokyo tower was visible at a distance, already lit up. We decided to cut short the tour and return due to the cold. On the way back we passed the Statue of Kusunoki Masashige a 14th century samurai who fought for Emperor Go-Daigo and walked through the fully illuminated Marunouchi Naka Dori Avenue. By the time we got back to the station, we were numb from cold and was glad to be back inside the station. We met an Indian couple heading out of the station in light coats asking for Tokyo tower!




On the way back Saurav suggested getting down at Kawasaki and visiting Bombay Talkies cafe for a Dosa and Vada. Bombay Talkies is just next to Kawasaki station and we were there at 5.30 PM. Ate vada and masala dosa served by the friendly Indian waiters. Even drank a Masala tea! After the snacks, we took a tour of the large shopping mall at Kawasaki station before heading back to Yokohama. Now it is 11.30 PM. Hardly 30 minutes to go for the New Year to start here in Yokohama.
Wish you all a Very Happy New Year....
Signing off my last blog of 2009.

Exploring Yokaohama

Sunday! What a blessed day! But my alarm went off as usual as I have forgotten to switch it off.
The view from my windows was refreshing.

Waited till 12 to go and ring Saurav Raul in the other building. Saurav is a planner from TICB also working for the Habshan Project. As I imagined he has just got up. We agreed to start at 12.20. I went for a stroll and came back to collect him at 12.25. We went to Yokohama Station searching for a tourist bureau. It was a very nice day. Slightly cloudy skies, but temperature around 10 and rather sunny.

The Yokohama station is an impressive building teeming with people constantly moving.


The tourist office did not have much information. What we were asking them was whether there is a tour from Yokohama to Tokyo and whether there is a train after the new year celebrations from Tokyo to Yokohama. We left hoping to find the information from the net. Walked to Jack mall where there is a good electronics supermarket. After spending an hour there, Saurav got tired and wanted to go back. I decided to continue and went into a Japanese restaurant there. I ordered a beer and some food from pictures. What I got was some fried chicken, some salad and some rice with soup.


Then I headed through Land Mark Plaza to Sakuragicho station. It was 3.30 PM. I was supposed to meet Saurav at 4.45. I had 1 hour to spend. Just then the touristic bus called "Akaikutsu" came up to take passengers. On the spur of the moment, I got on it and started the journey around Yokohama. It is a round trip, coming back to the same place it started. I thought it will take max 1 hour and I will be back around 4.30. But it only reached China Town at 4.30 PM! So I changed plans and got down there because I would miss the appointment with Saurav anyway.
Walked around China town which is supposed to be the largest China town anywhere in the world and finally ended up in the fashion district called MOTOMACHI. Only pedestrian roads, lit with special illumination and with all fashion labels having their shops there, Motomachi is a good area to have an evening walk.
Akai Kutsu Bus

Motomachi, The fashion street of Yokohama

Ilumination in Motomachi


Entrance to Motomachi, dressed up for New Year


One of the gates to China Town


A view of China Town

Finally, by 5.30, I was tired and wanted to get back. Luckily I find a bus stop near by and got on one. I returned to the station again and took a couple of snaps of the Nippon Maru, the ship now acting as a museum. I headed off home from there dropping into the Tesco supermarket at the basement of our building to buy a couple of beers and milk.


Nippon Maru

Christmas and New Year in Yokohama

Well, another year coming to an end.
I am writing this from Yokohama, Japan.
When I returned from Kazaksthan in June 2009, I was thinking of taking a long break for a year or so. I did not imagine that Tecnimont will need my services till then. However, things have turned out to be totally different from what I have planned.
It was first to Kuwait in July. Then to Milan in September and to Yokohama in December. Hardly any rest, quite contrary to my planning.
Contrary to my belief, things turned out rather different than I had imagined here in Japan. Modern buildings, spacious roads, courteous people, dressed quite similar to western world and very friendly too. If you have the occasion to ask directions to someone, he or she will even take you by hand to show the place you want to go! It was such a pleasant surprise from the west or even the middle east. In the west, service is almost non existent or you may even be treated arrogantly. In the middle east, you get the service, but through servants! I have often been embarrassed to offer tips to a fellow countryman. Here, you understand the true sense of service. Every where you go, you are treated with courtesy and kindly. And the best thing is; no tips! Yes, I have felt bad when offering tips. Because, that way, you are treating a fellow human being as lower to you.
Unfortunately, I work rather long hours and even on Saturdays and holidays to meet targets that I do not get much time to be a tourist. But the little time I wander around, I get the feeling of being in some place where people are happy, content and looking to improve things.
The office of JGC where I work for Tecnimont on the Project for Habshan is in one of the most prestigious buildings here in Yokohama, named Queens Square. It is a city in itself. A huge building complex with three office towers and a hotel tower extending from 36 floors above to 5 floors below. The metro station Minato Mirai is right below the building. And the tallest building in Japan - Land Mark Tower is just next to it.
From my table in 15th floor, I can see the bay of Yokohama and the Yokohama bay bridge and the giant wheel with the biggest clock in the world.
Weather is not so bad at 3 to 10 degrees. For the first 10 days, I stayed in Pan Pacific Hotel which is a part of the Queens Square complex. On 24th I shifted to a studio apartment which is hardly 10 minutes walk from the office. The apartment also is facing the bay bridge and the giant wheel.
The whole place is so clean! Whether it is office, roads, shopping mall or apartment. You are not even supposed to enter the apartment with shoes on! You do not have a key to the apartment, but have a proximity card. you need to swipe the card to open the main entrance, to call the lift, to enter the apartment, to open the mail box and even you can not manually select the floor in the lift, but the floor is selected only when you swipe the card! You cannot even select any other floor in the same building! I did not think that Japanese are so security conscious!
Any way, here I am. Spent the Christmas here and will be spending the New year also here. Not a bad place to be... See the fotos below.