Departing autumn
with hands spread open
chestnut burs
Matsuo Basho
The eternal home for many of Japan's luminaries; including the last of the Tokugawa Shogunate - Tokugawa Yoshinobu.
I felt slightly at odds visiting it, torn between the need to be respectful; as this is after all very much an active graveyard, and being a total tourist and snap photos of everything I see.
The cemetery was a quiet peaceful pocket in Tokyo and we heard birds chirping, saw colourful autumn colours and enjoyed a nice shady stroll through it. Like Rurousha mentioned in her post on Yanaka Cemetery (which, by the way was what made us finally venturing there) I wouldn't mind ending up here for my eternal resting place either. *^^*
And while we are on cemeteries, there'll be a post about an insect cemetery put up, one of these days so stay tuned. Visit me often because I sure as heck don't know when I'm gonna do the post. ^^
Do read previous posts of this Autumn Reminiscence series while you are here visiting.
Autumn Reminiscence - Lake Kinrinko
Autumn Reminiscence - Shikoku Mura
Autumn Reminiscence - Nara
Autumn Reminiscence - Ritsurin Koen
Autumn Reminiscence - Ueno Park
Do read previous posts of this Autumn Reminiscence series while you are here visiting.
Autumn Reminiscence - Lake Kinrinko
Autumn Reminiscence - Shikoku Mura
Autumn Reminiscence - Nara
Autumn Reminiscence - Ritsurin Koen
Autumn Reminiscence - Ueno Park
INSECT CEMETERY??? This i have to see! I am looking foward to the post, the idea makes me laugh of course but it also intrigues me....
ReplyDelete:)
It's called Mushizuka and was set up by Lord of Ise Nagashima to console the spirit of insects that died as model for his drawings.
DeleteYanaka! (^0^) I know what you mean about being snap-happy vs being respectful, but I've seen so many photographers in that cemetery. And joggers. And cyclists. And dog walkers. I think as long as you don't take photographs of funerals or visitors praying, it's OK.
ReplyDeleteI want to see the insect cemetery! I didn't know there was such a thing until you told us!
PS: That big ginkgo is glorious, isn't it? ^^
When we were there, the place was pretty deserted sans the lady who asked for direction.
DeleteIt's Mushizuka at Kaneiji Temple. Nothing big - just a stone set as a monument to insects that perished after being his drawings model.
I love the idea of an insect cemetery, but I'll wait patiently for m'lady's photos. ^^ Well, maybe not so patiently, but I'll wait.
DeleteBe warned though. This might just be false advertisement to lure you all to come for repeated visits here. ^^
DeleteSo cute :D Do they have names on each tomb? :D
ReplyDeleteThe mushizuka, you mean? Well, it's named as an insect cemetery on the signboard but I think it can be called an insect monument. No lots of insects tombstones around there.
DeleteI love visiting cemeteries both in UK and other European countries. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's always so quiet and peaceful in there.
Also I can look for some ideas for my own tombstone for future use! Ha ha...
What would be inscribed on your tombstone, I wonder? ;)
DeleteHa ha... Still thinking.
DeleteBut you can find my famous aeroplane logo for sure!
Let me know where you buy your plot. ^^
DeleteI was surprised that you knew Matsuo Basho who is a famous poet.
ReplyDeleteHow did you study about him?
@cocomino,
ReplyDeleteWell, there is the internet. ;p
Beautiful ginkgo tree leaves!
ReplyDeleteTo put it more precisely,Mushizuka is located in Kan-eiji temple's cemetery, Tokugawa Yoshinobu's grave is located in Metropolitan Yanaka cemetery.
Tokugawa Yoshinobu's grave is Shinto-style grave. So It was impossible to put in Temple's grave. So his grave is located in public cemetery.
Thank you for your comment.
DeleteAnd clarification on my post.
It is a post on Yanaka cemetery's autumn colours not about Yanaka cemetery specifically. And the mention of Mushizuka is as a teaser for my upcoming post on it. I understand that they are not at the same place.^^
Smiled to myself to see you 'enjoying' these 'off-beat' places... they are very 'Japanese', so to say...
ReplyDeleteThere are many kind bloggers in Japan to help us visit off the beaten path places. ^^
DeleteThe place looks lovely not creepy at all. When I was young, we used to play in a cemetery as it was the only open space available :)
ReplyDeleteBut would you dare to play at the cemetery at night? ^^
DeleteMy grandfather's sister has a house right next to a "jirat cina"/Chinese cemetery. I would've been scared stiff if I'm asked to spend a night there. But of course, during daytime - it doesn't feel so scary, right? ^^
It's beautiful with those trees and so well-kept. I have been to some that are not so nice and overrun with weed. I know how you feel about visiting cemeteries and taking photos as a tourist. Perhaps the residents are happy they have not been forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! I hope the souls there are not neglected by their kin, but by the look of how well kept the place is, they aren't.^^
Delete