Treks & Texts '22 (BH Edition)

  The Time I Fed a Deer in Japan This is the last Japan blog post! I swear!  If you've been keeping up with this blog so far, you have read my previous posts, and you know that I went to Japan this past summer. While I was there, I enjoyed some beautiful scenery and experienced new, wonderful things in nature. One of my favorite experiences was touring Todai-Ji, one of the largest wooden structures in the world. First, a brief history of Todai-Ji. It used to be one of the Seven Great Temples located in Nara, Japan. this temple was instrumental in Buddhism gaining power in Japan. Nara is the most ancient capital of Japan, and so this temple was a strategic point for religious and military power. The building featured above is not the original temple, as previous temples burned down. The structure houses a giant Diabutsu  or Great Buddha, that is nearly fifty feet tall. Within this Buddha are treasures of Emperor Shomu, the Emperor who originally built Todai-Ji.  Todai...

 Mt. Fuji       The subject of an innumberable amount of art pieces, poems, religious ceremonies, and a cultural icon, Mt. Fuji is one of the most notable things about Japan. Take Japanese artist Hokusai for example. Nearly all of his woodblock print paintings feature or glorify Mt. Fuji in some way. His art is globally recognized and iconic, and is one of the avenues many people become familiar with Mt. Fuji. The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai       This active volcano in Japan is actually a series of montains. Just as the Hawaii islands were formed in a line as a result of moving tectonic plates Mt. Fuji is surrounded by volcanos that formed as a result of the same tectonic plate shifting. Surrounding these mountains are seven large lakes with small towns that support tourism.  A view from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan.           Our journey to Mt. Fuji began with a gorgeous view of the...

The Bamboo Grove of Arashiyama         This past August, my father and I embarked on a tour through Japan as a father-son trip. My father has a zeal for travel and I love Asia, so it was a perfect spot for the two of us. While we were there, we saw and did many things including climbing part of Mt. Fuji, taking the bullet train, socializing with geishas, and my favorite part: Japanese gardens.  Sunlight breaking through Moso Bamboo         As a people, the Japanese have always had a reverence for nature. The indigenous religion, Shinto, is based entirely around gods and spiritual entities that have direct ties to nature. Their rich history as an ancient nation also fuels their conservation efforts. As an island nation, they have limited space, so conservation is a top priority. Thus, Japan is fervent in their protection of historical and environmental sites.  This small shrine features a pond with stone frogs, as well as a deity. Ha...