One of Seven Gods of Fortune...

The weather was supposed to be good from the morning time when I checked the weather forecast last night, but it tuned out to be a very cold and cloudy this early morning on the way to Miwa, Nara Prefecture. 

Nara was much coder than Osaka because of geographical reason surrounded with mountains, and so it was really cold when I got there. I though it was bit early to visit The Ohmiwa Shrine for the registration to climb Mt. Miwa, I strolled in the town a bit, and I found some Japanese traditional old wooden houses called Machiya, and they are well preserved. One of them were a guest house, Machiya guest house MIWA (Japanese information only). I didn't know that Miwa has these old houses left. 

I kept strolling in the town, and noticed one of Seven Gods of fortune, Ebisu on the roof of a very big private house which was made in the traditional old architectural style.  By putting the God on the edge of the roof, the family is practicing  a superstitious manner for good luck. I felt very happy that I ran into this Ebisu by chance having a though if I could get a good luck as well for this year. 

Since I already made a determination that I'm going to climb Mt. Miwa at least once in a month to get a good vibe in the holy mountain. Let's see if I can make it for the year.... Anyway, I love to come back to this place all the time, and this shrine is my favorite. 

Normally, we are allowed to climb up the mountain from 9 in the morning, but it was already open at 8 o'clock during the New Year's special period. As usual, I greeted the God of Mt. Miwa at the main alter before climbing up, and stepped in the holy area. For each step, I tried to chant a Shinto spiritual prayer to purify my body and spirit. I didn't mean to walk fast at first, but finished earlier than usual. Very easy walk this time as well. 

  

When I got out of the holy area, the alter area was full of people who were visiting for New Year's greeting. Walking in the opposite direction for the exit, I was already thinking about my favorite, Miwa Noddle lunch to warm up my body. 

I honestly still don't know what I need to wish for the New Year, but I would like to live in healthy and peaceful state of body, mind and soul throughout the year, and I will be led to the right directions in life as usual.  

Masami