Countdown Interuptis.

I'm taking leave of the Countdown today because October 10th holds special meaning to me. On this date 25 years ago, I first stepped off a plane and stepped into the land of Japan! So I thought I'd do something cultural, and find the location of next Monday's wedding, which is tricky to get to.

Seiryuso is a new spa/hotel with a chapel and just happens to be located near Zuihoden Mausoleum. So after verifying my chapel locale, I meandered around the Mausoleum. Click that link and you can learn all about the resting place of Sendai's, Date Masamune and other Feudal lords. Here are a few pics.

Here are some of the elaborate carvings and statues adorning the area.

As usual, I simply must photograph any dragons I come across.

This will save me the effort of Gaijinplaining (Mansplaining by foreigner.)

Just to keep things nerdy for ya.

Be sure to wash your hands in dragon spittle.

I was here at Zuihoden for Tanabata in '23. Some of these shots look cooler in twilight. 

To the left of this structure, there is a footpath leading through the forest. I partook.

If I had come across a bear, I would have been screwed. It was very isolated.

If it seems distorted, this was an attempt at a horizontal panorama shot.

I saw a suzume-bachi (Giant Hornet), otherwise I encountered no wildlife.

For a kid's cemetery, it wasn't very creepy.

After my stroll, I head pack to the parking lot but made a quick detour into this HUGE cemetary.

 

That was fun. Afterwards, I hopped in my car and decided to follow the Loople Bus path. Next stop, the City Museum. There was a very expensive new display that I opted against and just wandered through the regular exhibits. Nothing new. Except me being silly with a selfie.

More silliness ensued with a visit to the Children's Activity room.

A couple of cool Gatcha machines and I scored a "Kongo Rikishi Tachiei Gogota", whatever that is.

I continued along the Loople path to the Site of Sendai Castle. If you rent the VR headset, I'm sure it looks more impressive than this.

Date Masamune astride his horse. His horse is named, "Onikage" or "Demon's Shadow"! 
*For a tail tale about this horse, I've scammed a Chat GPT legend about it. You can read it at the end of this blog entry...

This site is high atop a mountain overlooking Sendai. Here are a few shots of the cityscape.

Can you tell which is the male and which the female?

It has been many many years since I was last here. I don't recall seeing this cool eagle!

I popped into a building and I don't think I was allowed to take photos. But hey, for a 300 yen entry and no security, I figured, what the hey.

Yamato!

I wasn't sure what these were so I didn't spend the 4 or 5 bucks to get one. Now that I've translated it, I wish I had. It's an amulet to ward off misfortune. Write your name on the gourd, blow into it, and close the lid. Then the evil from within you will reside in the gourd. (Or something like that.)

A couple of cute Gatcha but I was out of coins.

I did buy some Zunda (a green bean) flavoured chocolate and a shake!

That was a pretty good day and Happy Anniversary to me!

*Here is the Tale of the Horse. (Take it with a grain of salt, it is Chatty. My students told this story to me, so it does have some legitimacy.)

Date Masamune, a famous samurai and feudal lord (daimyō) of Japan's Sengoku period, is often associated with legends and stories, including one about his horse. The most well-known tale involves his loyal steed, Onikage, which means "Demon Shadow." The Legend of Onikage: Onikage is described as a fierce and powerful horse, said to be as extraordinary as Masamune himself. The horse earned its reputation during the many battles Masamune fought in his bid to establish his clan's dominance. The horse's stamina, speed, and strength were legendary, and it was said that Onikage was fearless, charging into battle alongside Masamune regardless of the danger. A Notable Incident: One famous story tells of the Battle of Hasedō (1600), during the larger conflict of the Sekigahara Campaign. During the battle, Masamune and his forces were engaged in a fierce fight. Onikage carried Masamune across the battlefield, helping him avoid capture or defeat on several occasions. In some versions of the story, Onikage even saves Masamune's life by evading a deadly situation or helping him retreat in a strategic withdrawal. The Symbolism: Onikage, like many legendary animals in samurai folklore, is more than just a horse; it represents loyalty, strength, and the bond between a warrior and their steed. The samurai were deeply connected to their horses, which were vital in battle. Onikage's legendary status is a testament to the cultural significance of horses in samurai warfare and the romanticized view of their relationships. Date Masamune's distinct armor, which included a crescent moon helmet, along with his association with Onikage, has helped cement his image as one of Japan's most iconic historical figures. What happened when Onikage retired and was put out to pasture? There is a lesser-known and somewhat curious legend about Onikage's retirement and an unfortunate incident tied to boredom, which adds a more mystical or folkloric layer to the horse's story. The Legend of Onikage’s Retirement and Death: As the story goes, after years of faithfully serving Date Masamune, Onikage was retired to live a more peaceful life at Sendai Castle, the stronghold of Masamune's clan in the Tōhoku region. Despite the quiet life of retirement, it is said that Onikage, used to the adrenaline of battle and excitement, grew restless and bored. The lack of action and adventure seemed to have taken a toll on the horse’s spirit. In one version of the tale, Onikage became so overwhelmed by boredom and longing for the days of war that it attempted a dramatic leap off the walls of Sendai Castle, plunging to its death. Some say the horse's wild spirit couldn’t endure the quiet life, and this act was a symbol of its inability to adapt to peace after years of serving in the heat of battle.

That's sort of a Ghost story.