3 Years in Sendai - 7

A journey up north into the cold country!

1. Hirosaki Castle

   Directions
2. Hirosaki Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle constructed in 1611. It was the seat of the Tsugaru clan, a 47,000 koku tozama daimyō clan who ruled over Hirosaki Domain, Mutsu Province, in what is now central Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Wikipedia

The beautiful family that hosted me.
Aomori Prefecture is situated on the northernmost tip of Honshu facing Hokkaido, with Tsugaru Strait in between. The Ou Mountains that run from north to south divide the prefecture, thus forming very different climates in the east and the west—lots of snow on the Sea of Japan side and low temperatures even in the summer on the Pacific Ocean side.

When I left the United States i thought i had seen the last of snow the freezing cold of the Wisconsin winter and the awesome beauty of it, but i was in for a surprise when i arrived in Sendai and my trip north to Aomori in winter was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my winter countries experiences.

I visited a temple site and was spellbound by the amount of snow in one place and  felt the spirit of winter in all its glory like i never did before. I was humbled by the experience even though i had spent enough time in cold countries including two years living in Alaska.. For those who had never felt what a snow covered landscape is like, i simply must say that they have not experienced one of God's most wondrous creations. 

From out of the skies the Lord laid down a blanket onto whole land trees and temples making the whole scene look like a huge cake with very thick frosting. The stark temple colors of Red and vermilion , black  brown wooden structures stood in strong contrast against the whiteness of snow. It was an artist paradise!

Snow sculptures formed by  buildings and standing  stumps, tree trunks and  roof tops is a study in  contrast and the sharpness of colors.

In the silence of the snow I heard the temple bell in the distance somewhere hidden within the temple walls. Were they sitting in meditation or were they having their dinner? 

In the cold and silence I felt alone and yet the whole universe seemed to be with me fresh and  alive. How can I not be awed and humbled by such display of nature's force.

There is no brushes that can do justice to this scene, not even Van Gogh in his insane glory can evoke such silence and  awe. Yes I envy no man who has not had a love affair with winter for at least a moment in his lifetime.

And it kept coming down from the heavens as though the Lord had decided to bury this whole countryside under one huge blanket of white.