Antaiji

Antaiji

Temple of Peace

Trip to Kutoyama (January 2011)



During the winter, Docho-san's wife and kids live in an old house in Kutoyama, the village at the bottom of the mountain, from where they can go to school (the road to Antaiji is closed during the winter and can only be climbed with Alpine gear). On January 29th, 2011, a group of us went down to Kutoyama to help remove the snow from the house, as the record amount of snow falls of the preceding and following days threatened to destroy the building.



At 10:30, passing in front of Antaiji's mainhall, which is almost buried in the snow.



10 minutes later, taking a way around the stairs which are too dangerous to climb in this season.



Kubota-kun is looking for the "ANTAIJI 2km" sign at around 11:15. Where is it?



The sign pointing to Antaiji at the bottom of the mountain. Can you see it?



The bus stop. The bus connects Kutoyama with Hamasaka. From this stop, it is 4km up the mountain to Antaiji, and 1km to the village of Kutoyama.



Finally in Kutoyama at noon. This is the house where Tomomi, Megumi and Hikaru spend the winter months. The owner, Usaku-san, is already shoveling snow off the roof.



View from the roof. Although not as bad as in Antaiji, they have lots of snow down here too.



Seven year old Megumi-chan is helping as well.



Megumi and Susana, working in the snow ...



... that reaches well over their heads.



At around three in the afternoon, we have finally reached the top of the roof.



Job done!



Tomomi-san gave as a ride back to the bus stop, where we got into our snow shoes and shouldered the mail and parcels of the last two weeks.



Kubota waiting for Susana and Nintoku, the Czech Rinzai monk who stayed for the winter.



Susana and Nintoku lost Kubota out of sight.



At around four o' clock, it is getting dimmer.



Still no sign to be seen here. Even at the 2km-point, there must be well over two meters of snow.



Three kilometers up the mountain. One kilometer to go!



Hurrying to get back in the day light.



Finally back!



Just before dusk, in front of the main hall.

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