It’s raining in Tokyo. There is a typhoon approaching despite the forecasts were saying no rain until Monday. The streets are filled with people and umbrellas as they go about their Sunday. Tokyo is the most populous metropolitan area in the world with a population of about 13 million people. I’m located in the eastern part of the city and the subway is so extensive that no matter where you are, you are not far from a subway station. It is an incredibly complex system and an initial look at the subway map is daunting, but understandable.
On a rainy day perhaps the museum is a good place to start. With help from my friend Toshi, I find my way to the National Museum. It is just one part of a complex of museums in Tokyo city. It beautifully explains the history of Japan and its cultures right from the start. Surprisingly I find that China and Korea are major influences on the development of the Japanese culture. Buddhism was introduced at a very early stage and took hold in its many forms. It was initially introduced from Korea but the unique Japanese form of Buddhism was influenced by the Chinese. Buddhism became accepted and consequently promoted by the ruling classes. The warrior class had their own brand of Buddhism that became adapted for the masses. There are beautiful Buddhist scrolls here in the museum dating back to 740AD. How incredible to see these delicate scrolls full of beautifully written powerful text surviving to this very day. What does it say about a society that values the power of words so much that they ensure their survival for ever. The museum was full of precious ancient scrolls. The museum went on to display and explain the Japanese warrior classes and the samurai swords, beautiful ceramics and costumes and of course the development of Japanese art through the ages. What a very old country this is and how complex is their culture. I find it fascinating. The museum is full of precious relics and there are many people here taking it all in on this rainy Sunday.
From here its onto Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa area of Tokyo. Its a magnificent Buddhist temple dating back to 628AD when Buddhism was first introduced to Japan. This area is the historical heart of the city and the markets here keep alive the ancient atmosphere of another time. You enter via the Kaminari-mon Gate. The Temple is a beautiful mix of big timber architecture, colour, art and all the beautiful symbolism of the Japanese Buddhist faith. I view my future here. Via a donation you can randomly select a wooden straw from a cylinder. This provides a number that takes you to one of hundreds of little drawers. In there is a slip of paper that explains your future. I struggle to understand what mine is trying to tell me but it does talk about good health so I’m happy about that.
The rain continues and its an art to negotiate the many of umbrellas in the crowds of people. I’m impressed that there are so many people bout despite the weather.
angusmccoll 