Through the Gates
In hope arise
Don't avert thyne eyes
From the spirts inside
In hope arise
Don't avert thyne eyes
From the spirts inside
What better way to kick off this series than with my favorite place in the world?
I'd like to set my sights to 伏見稲荷大社 (Fushimi Inari Taisha) located in Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto in and of itself has a beautiful history, being the old Imperial capital of Japan, rooted with hundreds of years of tradition. Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the many shinto shrines in Japan, but this one has over 1,000 鳥居 (torii) or gates that lead up the mountainside.
But I'm not here to give a history lesson.
I've been to this site many times in my life now. With it, each time, I find a peace of mind that I can't seem to find anywhere else. Watching through thousands of gates with a unique history, listening to the cicada, or feelings the chilly new breeze sweep through... one can get lost in time here.
While the spot has indeed grown as a tourist attraction, most don't walk the whole way, which could easily take over an hour. There's also a back path further in the woods that's rather quiet, even in the summer season.
I'd like to set my sights to 伏見稲荷大社 (Fushimi Inari Taisha) located in Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto in and of itself has a beautiful history, being the old Imperial capital of Japan, rooted with hundreds of years of tradition. Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the many shinto shrines in Japan, but this one has over 1,000 鳥居 (torii) or gates that lead up the mountainside.
But I'm not here to give a history lesson.
I've been to this site many times in my life now. With it, each time, I find a peace of mind that I can't seem to find anywhere else. Watching through thousands of gates with a unique history, listening to the cicada, or feelings the chilly new breeze sweep through... one can get lost in time here.
While the spot has indeed grown as a tourist attraction, most don't walk the whole way, which could easily take over an hour. There's also a back path further in the woods that's rather quiet, even in the summer season.
The last time I visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, I took over 5 hours to walk through the whole area. Especially on the back path, I ended being the only one strolling. I could feel a calmness, a serene pull at my heart while walking, that I knew I could feel completely one with myself.
So far, I haven't been able to experience that anywhere.
Maybe, it's a happiness I can't find anywhere else. Most of my life was spent learn Japanese, learning culture, and indulging myself in all the country had to offer in music and entertainment. Japan has inspired much of my creative work and helped me develop worlds to dive into.
So far, I haven't been able to experience that anywhere.
Maybe, it's a happiness I can't find anywhere else. Most of my life was spent learn Japanese, learning culture, and indulging myself in all the country had to offer in music and entertainment. Japan has inspired much of my creative work and helped me develop worlds to dive into.
And, no matter where I go or what new places I travel to... I end up remembering these gates and this stroll as being the most fulfilling.
The lights that guide us
To the end of humanity
Forever shines in the dark forest
Between the gates of life and death
To the end of humanity
Forever shines in the dark forest
Between the gates of life and death
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