Rambling in Kurama

[imomus]

A rambling radio report on a day at Kurama (mp3 file, 6.6MB, 14.29 mins, contains bad haikus).

Comments

[yanatonage.livejournal.com]

what is this wonderful orange thing you wear on your head nowadays? I must have one!

[bishojo.livejournal.com]

How beautiful!

When i grow up i want to be green grass on a hillside in Kurama.

One bad haiku deserves another

[lord-whimsy.livejournal.com]

Momus was moistened
Minced about the hungry bears
Tasted like green tea

W

[1dayafterschool.livejournal.com]

everything looks so beautiful, peaceful, and (most of all) spiritual.

[sparkligbeatnic.livejournal.com]

If you like the kind of layered-shakkei-shrubbery-mandala described in your Kurama audio report you may enjoy a visit to the poet-hermit refuge known as Shisendo (http://www3.kiy.jp/~tourj/kyoto/shi-1.html).

[4minutes33-2nds.livejournal.com]

these pedestrian sanctuaries have me longing for something unattainable: a culture quite unlike my own. the relationship you spoke of in a previous entry, while i am in complete agreement, it is not the world i can know outside of the dualism i see, breathe, am.

[imomus.livejournal.com]

This page (http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue56/kurama.htm) is good on filling in the details I leave out in my account, like the fact that the forests on Mount Kurama are a mixture of pine and cedar.

[(Anonymous)]

Since Kurama is known for its onsen (hot spring baths), I will take this opportunity to ask a question I've had for a while. Anyone who's been to an onsen or sento knows the baths are usually segregated by gender. I've heard that traditionally, both men and women bathed together, and that the separation of the sexes was imposed by the Americans after WW2. If true, this would have to be the most idiotic form of cultural imperialism ever. Anyone know if this is accurate, or have more details?

Sincerely,
Hentai Gaijin

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Okay, I've researched this matter of gender segregation at the onsen:

'In the heyday of the Edo Era, segregation between the sexes at public bathhouses did not exist. Because the practice of bathing together was so natural, there were few problems (Hotta, p. 21). There were, of course, rules for public bathhouses and the vast majority of them were legitimate businesses, only a few were associated with immoral practices like prostitution (Grilli, p. 77). But, when American Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Yokohama Harbor in 1853, it is said that his men were shocked at witnessing the mixed bathing. As a result, an 1870 law was passed prohibiting mixed bathing. Bathing facilities were partitioned and inspectors came regularly to check. But, not all Japanese understood this strange new custom, so more often than not, once the inspectors left, the partitions were dropped and the Japanese guests went back to enjoying their mixed bathing experience as they had for centuries (Hotta, p. 21-22).

'Gender segregation in public bathhouses actually began during the Edo period, but became prominent and was really only successful during the Meiji period (1868-1912) (Grilli, p. 98). Mixed bathing as a general rule ended for two reasons: one, as a response to western sensitivities so to increase Japan's reputation as a civilized, respectable nation in the eyes of the West; and two, to end illicit acts, such as prostitution, occasionally being performed.'

http://www.k-i-a.or.jp/ts-report/m-report/m-report.htm

'A foreigner wrote in 1859: "As a people, they (the Japanese) are most virtuous, individually and collectively, of any nation extant. A contrary report has gained ground, owing to their habit of promiscuous bathing, male and female in the one bath, and in puris naturalibus. But it must be understood that they recognize no harm in doing so --- that no harm has ever come of it, and that the practice is continued because their ancestors for ages did so before them. There is no lack of practical morality amongst them, and there is no country in the world where the ties of marriage are held more scared than in Japan; while the virgins are equally chaste, and perfectly correct in their interaction with strangers."'

http://www.philippinestoday.net/June2001/musings601.htm

'In 1870 a law was passed prohibiting mixed bathing. Today most baths are still sexually segregated, but there are some that allow a return to the old ways. Couples or families staying in smaller inns are often allotted a time when they may bathe together, and some onsen have private baths which can be rented.'

http://www.antipixel.com/blog/archives/2003/09/13/the_gentle_art_of_japanese_bathing.html

Hisae has located a private onsen in Arishiyama that allows mixed bathing. I don't think I'd like to try it, though. I'd have to concentrate hard on tax, dentistry and death to avoid making an exhibition of myself. However, I did notice some little girls running around in the male baths at Kurama. Apparently toddlers have no gender.

[blackturtleneck.livejournal.com]

Hi there, I added you. Feel free to add me back if you like but I promise my journal won't be as interesting as yours. ;)

[auto-appendix.livejournal.com]

I know it's a long way from where you are now, but I'm going to Berlin in November and wondered if you had any personal recommendations for online guides/what's on, etc? It's amazing how off the mark (or euro) most guides are. The printed ones were all published two years ago and barely mention Friedrichshein (where we're staying - just up the road from you!), even some online ones still list prices in deutschmarks! I haven't been to the city for a few years and it's changed a lot. Obviously I've scribbled down the things you mention on the site, but it'd be nice to have some idea of what shows are on when we're over. Thanks in advance, we'll buy you lunch when we get there!

thanks

[(Anonymous)]

Just a note to say how much I enjoy reading this journal. The photos, the essays, the sounds, the music, everything. And you're able to post nearly every day!

Thank you.

Tim
http://www.travelersdiagram.com/

[raku-jp.livejournal.com]

Reflected Momus is good for the photograph below.

[eduard-green.livejournal.com]

I think I'll read all your japan writing in one go, like a miniture book.

[arcana07.livejournal.com]

I really don't think
It's hard to make up haiku
On the spot. Look, see?

In all fairness, we did have to make up a million of those (or so it felt) in 6th grade English. And I didn't involve nature in that anywhere, so I r cheating. But anyway, another entertaining podcast, though a little on the short side. I tend to prefer the ones that are long. At least 30 minutes or so, so I can get more of your soothing, tranquil, almost soporific [nb: meant more as a synonym of "hypnotic" here] vocals. But it is fascinating hearing about "onsens" and how wonderfully relaxing and calming they must be.