A morning walk in autumnal Nara Park

As my old blog friends might know already, there is no place named Nara Park on map in Nara City. It is the spacious area with fields, hills, woods and forest, mountains, brooks, temples and shrines including World Heritage sites, museums, residential area, and so on. Wild but friendly deer welcome visitors.

I strolled around some parts of Nara Park starting from Tobihino Hill last week.  Tobihino/飛火野 literally means “飛fly 火fire 野field.”  It is said that signal fires were launched there to inform people in the palace site of something in emergency in ancient times.

At the north edge of Tobihino, I came across a photo session conducted by a group of students.  I was part of it with some of other tourists before I knew it.

Then I walked into the woods of Kasuga Shrine founded in 8th century.  Shrine is for Shintoism, native religion of Japan. There's no founder, no doctrine, no script but simple nature worship or awe of nature for both beneficial and un-controllable power.  

 The woods are dark green with massive evergreens. 

Wisteria grow too wild without human maintenance.

The tangled twining vines have made gigantic sculptures or jungle gyms.

I named the sculptures below, clockwise from top-left;

"Vine garland", "Green man (right) and reptile (left)", "Knot", and "Dancing couple".

Coming out of the woods, I was at the path leading to the Kasuga Grand Shrine, which consists of the main shrine and many other small shrines. About 2000 moss-covered stone lanterns line the approach to the sanctuary. The oldest dates back to the Muromachi period (1336-1568).

Mini shrine and  stone lanterns

Leaving the shrine approach, I walked north to the Yoshiki River. The river is noted for Japanese Maple. The final blaze of the leaves felt coming soon.

Not only tinted leaves but also reflection is always intriguing.

And, barks as well.

Tree Lichens

One side of the river is Kasugano Park.

The buck above was not buried half in the ground but was rested in front of a  tree beyond a tiny hill.

A drifting leaf in the Kagami-ike Pond

Ukigumo Park, the other side of the river, was ablaze with Chinese Tallow leaves.  How mesmerizing!

My youngest grandchild M had a Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) rite at Kasuga Grand Shrine. She’s going to be 3 next month. To finish it quick, M wore dress. She’ll have her commemorative photos taken at a photo studio in March, dressed in kimono with a lovely hairdo. She looks forward to becoming like a princess of Japanese period drama.  

One day at Mt. Wakakusa, collected leaves, and Shichi-Go-San

Today is Labor Thanksgiving Day, which stems from the ancient Shinto harvest festival since the start of rice cultivation. I can't thank enough for all the workers supporting our daily life, now especially health care workers.  This is really tough time for anyone in any situation. Probably old common sense (mask, sanitation of hands, gurgling), and social distancing and attitude to cooperate at the time of emergency as well, would be the best survival tools to go through this pandemic. Remember “mask” is the safest and the most affordable substitute for vaccine.

Linked to Mosaic Monday