marishiten temple

we found this ornate temple on the edge of gion. marishiten, the diety enshrined there, rides a wild boar [inu shishi] thus the temple was filled with sculptures of fine piggies. the offering trays hold konbu.

namikawa museum

i finally visited the namikawa cloissonne museum which is directly across the street from our house. in fact, our landlady is mrs. namikawa. her grandfather-in-law founded the workshop which was famous for its extraordinarily delicate and beautiful work.