The Japan Tour 07 – Kobe

Day 2- Kobe

We got a fairly early start on Day II of the adventure. This time we were off to Kobe, the place we want to live. Needless to say I like kobe, clean , modern but still with a sense of Japan. Mountains in the rear, the water/Bay in the front. We are off on the public transportation. First a Bus then the mono rail then the train. We are going to downtown kobe, my first trip to really see the city, and Lady Zen’s first since the earthquake.  I wanted to see the discount area I had heard about, which are a bunch of shop located under the train track where the rent is cheap so bargains are to be had.  I was disappointed. If I was a young blood, teenager or youth I would have found it interesting, but only a couple of shop were interesting to me. I was looking to find a small suitcase, not Hip Hop clothes, and such. After walking for about 30 I had had enough and we turned around. We took another street back and went in to another shopping area, which was much better. I found a pair of Tabi which I needed for Kyudo and a used hardcase small suitcase form the only used seller in the mall there. How cool is that!
From there we went to a small eating place and had some octopus. I had a couple of rice balls, and some Dicon, Lady Z had something else.

After lunch the next stop was to hookup with sister and then head over to met the owners of Oyamake Ceramics  who also live in Kobe. Meeting sister and her husband was easy, then we went to the Home of Oyamake Ceramics, that was a small adventure, not knowing where to park or where the place was exactly was a challenge more so when we called for directions, no one answered. Well it worked out with Lady Zen and I going to the uniting and knocking while sister and hubby waited.

We all sat down to chat and a small  amount of drinks, with some DELICIOUS Snacks that Tomokosan made!!! All was well, it was a pleasant meeting and visit. Plans were set to met again on Sat. for a night out, after the girls got together and I did a podcast with Mr GaiJin n Japan. I also had plans to meet with the operator of Kobe Kung Fu. Another Gaijin with a Japanese wife on Sat for lunch.  So it was to be another full day of activities.

We head back to Sister’s place for dinner. her and hubby had been shopping early for fresh food for dinner. She usually makes a GREAT MEAL with several courses . She once again presented a fantastic meal. With a greatlayout. We had fugue which is a very light a potentially dangerous fish and some other items to many to name with a couple of types of sake. One of which was served hot with a piece of fish, after covering it for a while then lighting it before serving.

After such a great meal and drinks, traveling, etc, Lady Z and I laided down for a bit, and that was pretty much it for a while nap time. ..
I slept for about 1 hour , then after setting up our bedding I took advantage of the free wifi connection and took care of computer business before crashing. The next day we were off again this time to see a town that is all about ceramics.

Tea with a Zen Master

Day 1- Tea with a Zen Master – The Zen talks

( this is a two part section the sailing part is on the sailing blog)

We arrived at Kansai Airport in Osaka after a fairly easy flight. We left the East Bay in pleasantly on time not to feel rushed and we did not have a lot of turbulence on the flight some, but no where near what I went through the first couple of times going back to the states. The was a light rain when we got a taxi and headed to the marina. We asked the driver if he know where the yacht harbor was, he said right away , yes, it’s famous place, so we were on our way to see Yoh Sensei. It was fairly far form the airport and not bus out there, so the trip cost about $30.00, ouch, but ok. One does not get to meet legends everyday. We arrived at the marina and while we were getting settle with the driver, Yoh Sensei came out to meet us. We were surprised! After some brief introductions we went into the office. He took us into the private back office area. A very large room, with a small conference table, that sat about 8-10 people. Another small round table that sat 4, plus a desk. There was a wall, large full book self, plus another shelf with various wine glasses. He said later that he liked wine. The room also held a small frig, microwave and various other stuff.

We sat at the round table and made ourselves comfortable. Sensei offered us tea and Japanese mochi sweets. I was expecting bagged green tea. However he made traditional green tea, from power with a whisk brush. I was impressed as was lady Zen. I was happy I knew the proper way to receive and drink the tea, even though it was a casual serving not the full ceremony.
After a bit of small talk I was asked my interest in meeting him. I explained about my interest in Zen and some sailing questions not only from myself but the SailFar folks and Lady Zen. Ask away he said.

Our first talk was on Zen,
I asked about his sect. He said. His Master taught, sects do not matter, it is not about sect, which are just branches off the main river. His was taught from the main thought the fundamental philosophy not a sect that was mostly about a name.

He went on to say that many sects teach or promote the idea of enlightenment. His master says to seek enlightenment is to lose it. Meditation is about learning about your true self. The good, the bad. Enlightenment naturally comes when you die, at that time you learn the truth on everything.

Concerning random thoughts in the mind during meditation. I said, the sect in the states speak about becoming empty, having no thoughts during meditation. He asked me, “can you do that?” I can not, he said. Thoughts are part of being alive, it is a natural process, do not fight the thought or try not to let them happen. Just let them happen, think about, look at them from all angles, this how to solve issues, this is the mind working out things. Do not fight against them. Counting your breath helps to calm the mind, but having thoughts is a natural event, let them be.

He said, that he did meditation with the Dali Lama over a 3 day session. During the Dali Lama meditation period, he would sip tea, make light jokes, etc. It was not at all let, what is taught here in the states the Soto Schools and others. He asked do you find sitting facing a wall pleasant? I enjoy meditating on my boat, with the sound of water and the wind. Facing a wall and not moving and making no sound is uncomfortable work, how can you focus on learning about you inner self?

I was also corrected on the thought he is a priest. He said he was not a priest, but is called a Zen master, he added anyone can be a Zen Master. He started his Zen studies after his sail around the world. When he returned the media played him up as a hero, he said he lost himself in all the fuss, that is when he meet his master and was asked if he wanted to walk his path. He spent the next 6 yrs. studying Zen.

Following our very pleasant visit and a few pictures, we were giving an unexpected ride back to the airport to pickup our luggage and catch the shuttle home as we went directly from the airport to the marina. Sensei also gave me a signed copy of his book which is about his circumnavigation. Sadly for me at this stage it is all in Japanese, but it has some good pictures and I will just have to learn to read . The thought of it was very appreciated. Lady Zen can read it for now.

It was a great visit and well worth the time (and money Public transportation can be expensive) to get there. I had been looking forward to this for a year. We both felt we had met a man of unusual quality. I wish we could have had more time to visit and learn form him. I am hopeful on my next visit to Japan I am able to attend one of his Zen lectures. If not I will be seeing him again once we move to Japan, I sense we could be friends. He said he would let me know of good places to sail here once that time comes.

Playing with dirt

The first batch of this year’s main ceramics are done. They finally got fired. Not in time to give something I had in mind for the Toyko deligation house warming but, Oh well it can be mailed or next encounter… Shikatanai… It can not be helped

I tried out a new design idea using texture instead of just carving. The Lady Zen was impressed, I mean really impressed. Now she wants me to design and make a set of something with that design for home. Like sushi plates or something. I am pleased with the effect as well. Rough and smooth, Yin / Yang effect

Ok, that gives me a goal for the rest of this semester. It maybe my last projects for a while. Sisook is moving his Kung Fu school to another location which is down the street from me, they lost thier lease. I can continue teaching at my condo semi-private classes like now, or merge with that school, which is what he has wanted for a long time. If I do that, I will need to change my teaching back to Mon/Wed, not Mon/Thurs, which means no more ceramics, on the other hand, if my job folds, which is feeling very shaky more than usual, there is no more anything. We’ll pack up and head for Japan a lot earlier than planned. 

However for the moment everything is on hold we’ll see what Dharma unfolds upon our return from Nippon.  You never know what the tides will bring.

Next post from Japan…woohoo!

Busy signals and low tides

Shikatanai…

Someone should come up with a busy signal for emails. Yeah I know there are those notifiy when this is read thingys. I think my email mail software has one. I should use it, on the other hand maybe it is better not to know…

I wrote a Kung fu classmate of mine, who I had a lot of respect for, two times. Questions about his Chen Buddist path… a priest…No Answer.

I wrote /sent two emails to a guy from the Kyudo class who gave me, his address to send pictures to…I did…no answer

I wrote to the instructor of the Kyudo class about the next seminar…no answer.

I wrote to a friend of ours about resending a mail sent… no answer.

I wrote to a guy in Japan who I help with his website, about meeting him… no answer.

I wrote to another guy in Japan, three times about how long to walk to his house, …no answer.

I wrote to another guy about when he was free to hookup in Japan after he said he wanted to…yup, no answer.

I hope I have not done that to anyone… I think not ( at least one with a question).

Grrrrrrr.

Ommmm Ommm

work and life happens…so do internet gliches…Shikatanai

people are busy …so I am…Shikatanai

Like passing thoughts in zazen, time to let it go and re-center on the breath…Shikatanai

Life is full of delutions…many of our own making…like things that I think are happening…Shikatanai

I have none that my job is stable…but that does not help my mood…Shikatanai

Back to breathing…and mindfulness of now…Shikatanai

The tide comes in…the tide goes out…the tide comes in…Shikatanai

The rocks of life are always there, even when we can not see them…til the tide goes out…

Monterey revisted

On Friday we took a drive down to Monterey to visit the Tokyo delegation.

It was suppose to be for Friday and Sat, however since we had too many things to get ready for the Japan trip, we made it a one day run.

It was a really fast run, I thought it was 3 hours driving , however it was only two. Our first trip down we needed to go Salinas because we were staying there, that added some extra time to the trip, this time it was direct down.

The weather was perfect, it had been raining the last few days, well week really , but Friday the weather was great, sunny not too cool not too warm. We arrived around 1:oopm and checked out our friends new apt. Comfortable place. we loved the furniture, we have the same taste. After a bit of a chat we headed out for lunch. We walked as it was a good day. The walk took us along the waterfront, we got great nature views and learned some history of the Monterey area. At one time there was a Large Chinese population there right next to where the Monterey Aquarium now stands. They left the area after a large “mysterious” fire destroyed the town. Hmmmm. There was also a large Japanese population there in the area. They are credited with developing the diving rig currently used by Navy other sea exploration. They also for some reason “just left” hmmmm. Things that make you go hmmmmmmm….

Our first stop was for a little wine tasting. We had several local wines, the serving we a bit small I thought but, I got a little buzz as did the Yin side of the delegation. We ate lunch at a nice little seafood place with a view of the ocean, we had a simple meal but was very good. We both ordered a sampler plate, which was a great choice and one other item each.

After a lunch we headed upstairs for another wine tasting, but the place was way too crowded. It is it seems the local hang out place. Understandable as the ocean view from there is very nice.

From there we head out, we have to be to another location by a certain, as our friend forgot his ID at work and it was being held for him. He head over to the Miltary base to retrive the ID from his friend, but ended up hanging out at the local military bar were they were waiting for him. We all went in they had beers the ladies and I had softdrinks, I hate beer

It was interesting hanging with the military guys, and listening to some of their stories and interact with each other some of it was insider stuff but I got the jest of it. I thought these guys were inlisted men, but turns out they were officers. Anyway it was interesting. I had not been in a bar that I was not giging at in years.

Next stop to the Delegations home base. We watched Sadie concert DVD’s … nice! Then started pizzas. We each made our own, they had pizza dough from Trader Joe’s ( one of our favorite stores). It reminded me of making pizza’s at the end of ceramic class last year in the outside oven. Anyway , we each made little pizza’s, mine was the bomb! I’m sure tey though their were good also, but I know mine was the bomb The restof the evien gwas pizzas, wine, snack and chats. It was fun. Lady Z got great ideas she said about work in Japan when we move and things she can do and research now to help with that. Japan has a serious glass ceiling. If you are over 30 it is near impossible to find full time work.

Around 12:00am we wrapped it up and headed back north. It was a pleasant visit. We were back home around 2:oo settled in qiuckly and crashed.zzzzzzzzzzz

…Next Osaka, Japan