Mr. Chayaba is an old friend going back to my days when I lived in Shibata (1996-1999). I can`t remember how but he sort of latched on to me and never let go. Our excursions would go for entire days and never seem to stop. He liked the story Peach Boy in Japanese and had me translate and record several versions for him. He took me on a tour of the Japanese army base in town which was cool as he was an old soldier himself. He also loaned me his car and was very generous on trips.
This time, he had bought a piece of land and essentially built a fort that would be the envy of an elementary school kid. It was based on the story and he`d gone as far as having a marble monument made to commerate the teachings of Momotaro`s (Peach Boy) parents. I asked him what his neighbours thought about him doing this and he told me they thought he was crazy. I laughed hard. Mr. Chayaba does push the boundary of excentric but he has only been kind to me. Our next stop was the new hotspring near Ogawara. Looks like I was getting naked with Mr. Chayaba. We got to the top of the mountain and were greeted with the smell of pig shit. They told me that a pig farm was nearby. I wondered how this place survived but it was quite pretty. We split up from Mr. Chayaba`s wife, undressed and then went and sat in the hot water outside while the wind blew the stench past our nostrils. still, it was sunny and cool and that makes for great hot spring weather. We finished up with a bowl of noodles and then headed to the Shibata park which has a big white buddha on its peak as well. It was an easy landmark to reference. I used to go up there with a few beers and watch the fireworks from above with friends. The place is incredibly steep and getting to the top winded us both.
I had taken the train past the town to the next station at Ogawara and walked back along the river. Some genius had the idea to plant 1000 cherry trees along the river and in the spring, it is brilliant. It is known throughout the country and is a great walk at any time of the year. Some of the trees are so big they must be at least 600 years old. I loved riding to work when I worked at the Agricutural school witH Hachiya sensei.
We finished off our visit by going back to his house and he showed me a song that he had written for his fencing club and then had a musician write out. I`m going to try my hand at it when I get back. Mr.Chayaba said that at funerals, it was so bring because the monks did these chants that nobody could understand and he wanted his original music played at his funeral. Mr.Chayaba is truly an original. They don`t have a computer so sadly, they can`t access any of the treasures held on this website. :) It was nice to see them again and I hope I can see them again real soon
This time, he had bought a piece of land and essentially built a fort that would be the envy of an elementary school kid. It was based on the story and he`d gone as far as having a marble monument made to commerate the teachings of Momotaro`s (Peach Boy) parents. I asked him what his neighbours thought about him doing this and he told me they thought he was crazy. I laughed hard. Mr. Chayaba does push the boundary of excentric but he has only been kind to me. Our next stop was the new hotspring near Ogawara. Looks like I was getting naked with Mr. Chayaba. We got to the top of the mountain and were greeted with the smell of pig shit. They told me that a pig farm was nearby. I wondered how this place survived but it was quite pretty. We split up from Mr. Chayaba`s wife, undressed and then went and sat in the hot water outside while the wind blew the stench past our nostrils. still, it was sunny and cool and that makes for great hot spring weather. We finished up with a bowl of noodles and then headed to the Shibata park which has a big white buddha on its peak as well. It was an easy landmark to reference. I used to go up there with a few beers and watch the fireworks from above with friends. The place is incredibly steep and getting to the top winded us both.
I had taken the train past the town to the next station at Ogawara and walked back along the river. Some genius had the idea to plant 1000 cherry trees along the river and in the spring, it is brilliant. It is known throughout the country and is a great walk at any time of the year. Some of the trees are so big they must be at least 600 years old. I loved riding to work when I worked at the Agricutural school witH Hachiya sensei.
We finished off our visit by going back to his house and he showed me a song that he had written for his fencing club and then had a musician write out. I`m going to try my hand at it when I get back. Mr.Chayaba said that at funerals, it was so bring because the monks did these chants that nobody could understand and he wanted his original music played at his funeral. Mr.Chayaba is truly an original. They don`t have a computer so sadly, they can`t access any of the treasures held on this website. :) It was nice to see them again and I hope I can see them again real soon