A Walk around Kawasaki Daishi and the Halloween Parade (Part 1) / 川崎大師の散歩とハロウィンパレード （パート１)

Last week was Halloween and in the city of Kawasaki (where I now work), a Halloween Parade was the happening event.  We met our friends Yukio and Reiko around noon in Kawasaki.  Had lunch at the food court in Razona and since the parade wasn't going to start until 2pm, we decided to go to Kawasaki Daishi named after Kobo Daishi whose name means "the great Master who spread the Buddhist teachings" according to Kawasaki Daishi's English web site.  I only took pictures of my lunch this time around.  I chose an India curry plate from a place called Amara.  Two choices of curry - spicy chicken and spinach/lentil curry with naan and rice and chiken tikka as well.

先週はハロウィンだったので、川崎市にハロウィンパレードが開催することになった。毎年やってるらし。今年は初めて見に行きました。昼の時間で川崎駅に友達の幸男と玲子会う約束して、合流したら、最初の目的はランチ。ラゾナのフードコートに行きました。今回の昼食は自分のやつしか写真を撮ってない。僕が選んだものはインド料理のカレーセット。今日注文したカレーはスパイシーチキンと豆・ほうれん草カレー。ナンとライス付き。

You can see the tandoori oven at the front of the shop.

タンドリーオブンが目の前に見える。

It wasn't the best Indian curry I've had.  I like thicker curries.  The curries at this place were more like soup curries. 

満足するようなインドカレーではなかった。ここのカレーはスープカレー風。僕がもっとどろっとしたカレーが好き。


After lunch, we headed to Kawasaki Daishi.

食べたあと、川崎大師に向かった。

The road leading to the temple.

川崎大師への参道。

I love the streets lined with souvenir and food shops.

大きなお寺や神社の参道にあるお土産屋や食べ物屋は大好きですね。

I thought they were real at first until I took a second look. 

最初は本物と思った。二度目したよ。

Kawasaki Daishi is also well known for its Daruma.  You will find many shops that sell only Daruma but many different shapes and colors, although red is the most traditional.

From Wikipedia: The Daruma doll (達磨, daruma^?), also known as a Dharma doll, is a hollow, round, Japanese traditional doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma), vary greatly in color and design depending on region and artist. Though considered an omocha, meaning toy, Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use alongside goal setting.

川崎大師と言えば厄除けはもちろんですが、ほかはやっぱりダルマですね。ダルマの店はいっぱいありますよ。

The Dai-Sanmon (Main Gate) / 大山門

 

 

Temizuya (Water Purification Hut) / 手水舎

 

 

Dai-Hondo (Main Hall) / 大本堂

 

 

A closer look at the Dai-Hondo (Main Hall).

 

大本堂に近づいてます。

 

 

 

 

Hakkaku Gojunoto (Octagonal Five Storied Pagoda) / 八角五重塔

 

 

 

 

Kannon / 観音様

 

 

My apologies, but I cannot read the kanji on who or what this is.

 

申し訳ございません、漢字が読めない為、誰かどういうものか分かりません。

 

 



Henro Daishi / 遍路大師

 

 

Kobo Daishi is also known for the 88 temple pilgrimage in Shikoku.  This statue is for pilgrims to have a safe journey or something to that effect. 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoro-do (Bell Tower) / 鐘楼堂

 

 

Chikaraishi (strength stones).  You find quite a bit of these at different shrines.  These were heavy rocks used to develop or demonstrate physical strength.  The practice is believed to have started around the 8th century.

 

力石。単純に力試しによいされた大きな石。

 

 

Dai-honbo (Head Office) / 大本坊

 

 

Break time.  Having a beer while sitting in the temple grounds with Yukio and Reiko.

 

休憩タイム。境内で友達の幸男と玲子でビール飲むのが最高です。

 

 

 

 

A very nice day too!

 

天気も凄く良かった！

 

 

 

 

Shozuka no Ba-san.  A small shrine for good teeth.  Uh...okay.  Japan has many shrines to different things which makes temple and shrine walks so interesting.

 

しょうづかの婆さん。歯の痛みをいやす像らしいです。こういうのがあるからお寺や神社巡りは楽しい。

 

 

 

And finally before heading back to Kawasaki for the Halloween parade, another collection to my temple stamps - one from Kawasaki Daishi.

 

川崎のハロウィンパレードが始まる前に、また一つの御朱印が増えました。川崎大師の御朱印カッコいいですよ。