The next morning we woke up relatively early from the jet lag and eventually took these photos of the town of Kanazawa below us ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140314 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140315 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140316 and then of our room and the cookies that had been left to greet us ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140317 and the shoehorns which were to be a staple of our time in Japan so that we gained a sense of how to present our own shoehorns. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140318 In time, we went down to the hotel breakfast which was a mixture of Western food with Japanese food along with some foods we found unusual ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140319 including solid pieces of omelet ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140320 French fries with ketchup ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140321 and pasta. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140322 This was the first plate I assembled ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140323 together with needed coffee ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140324 and this was Suzanne's start ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140325 along with this salad ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140326 and fruit plate ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140327 which made her partially awake ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140328 as was I in this self portrait ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140329 before we decided to walk to the train station next door ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140330 where we saw this interesting label on a taxi ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140331 recorded a license plate ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140332 took the obligatory phone booth picture ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140333 and this photo of the local goddess ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140334 before we went into a store and I recorded some of their wares ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140335 including the individual bananas ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140336 and the models of plates of food ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140337 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140338 as we started out of the train station and saw the arch which we grew to know from temples and shrines ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140339 and the benches with flower pots ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140340 as people in a distance waited to board their bus. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140341 Suzanne posed in front of the station for what would be one of our few rainless moments in Kanazawa. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140342

Our day began when we met Jeff, our translator, and our driver for the day's activities ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140343 which began with a visit to the language program where we went to the classrooms ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140344 and recorded lessons ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140345 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140346 including this scene where 2 students were acting out part of a story ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140347 and then to Professor Makino's class ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140348 before we headed to the castle in Kanazawa which had belonged to the feudal lord and were joined by a tour guide who took us through the castle and Kenryokuen gardens with the help of Jeff translating. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140349 We began with a look at the walls of the castle ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140350 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140351 and the moat around them ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140352 as the rain picked up a bit ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140353 and then noted the vastness of the castle ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140354 which was enormous ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140355 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140356 as we noted our first tree that was being supported by poles. This became a common site in gardens where trees had been groomed for beauty (and quite successfully) but had lost the ability to support themselves in the process. It was necessary to think of these as gardens designed for perfection (and indeed they were) rather than as forests which present natural habitats. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140357 We were still at the castle ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140358 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140359 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140360 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140361 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140362 and noted the small gaps through which arrows and guns could be shot against enemy invaders. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140363 At one of the gates, I noted this remarkable header that involved a serious piece of wood ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140364 and put it in the context of the castle ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140365 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140366 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140367 before we came to the one gate that was totally preserved which consisted of 2 parts ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140368 with a bend in between to make it harder for enemy invaders ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140369 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140370 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140371 and we made our way through the gate to the other side ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140372 where after passing some shops ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140373 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140374 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140375 we found ourselves in the gardens looking at a waterfall ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140376 and then making our way into the gardens which had bridges ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140377 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140378 and (unfortunately) rain ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140379 and we made our way across a bridge ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140380 in the rain ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140381 to a viewpoint ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140382 where we saw the first of many lanterns ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140383 and an island in the lake ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140384 as Suzanne led the way ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140385 with remarkable views ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140386 including those to the island ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140387 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140388 and the beautiful bushes by the shore ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140389 with fish in the water ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140390 and a small structure across the way ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140391 as each view was beautiful and a sense of perfection reigned ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140392 through islands ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140393 and brooks ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140394 and this natural fountain that was gravity driven and is thought to be the first such fountain ever created since it needed no machinery. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140395 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140396 It was clear why the gardens were so beautiful when we saw the crews working at manicuring the gardens in detail. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140397 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140398 The moss was equally impressive ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140399 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140400 as we continued to be amazed by the gardens including reflections ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140401 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140402 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140403 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140404 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140405 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140406 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140407 before we came to the location of the photo op ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140408 with the remarkable view ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140409 and so I took Suzanne's photo ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140410 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140411 and then we posed together ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140412 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140413 and continued our tour of the gardens ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140414 admiring this bamboo structure that was designed to cover up a drain so that no one would fall in. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140415 Back to the gardens, we continued ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140416 through this water with grasses ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140417 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140418 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140419 and then to some banzai ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140420 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140421 and then this tree ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140422 with warning sign ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140423 and various garden views of bridges ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140424 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140425 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140426 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140427 before we found this bird ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140428 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140429 by the moss ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140430 and trees ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140431 before the bird presented itself ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140432 and we came across this statue to the war dead ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140433 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140434 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140435 complete with details ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140436 as we marched on ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140437 to what I thought was the most remarkable tree ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140438 along with its support structure ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140439 and we made our way further through the gardens ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140440 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140441 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140442 before we stopped to have the tea ceremony ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140443 on tatami mats ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140444 looking out at those who had recently finished the ceremony. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140445 A small cake was served ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140446 on this beautiful plate ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140447 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140448 as the tea was served and placed properly on our left hands and then we were to rotate it two small turns before drinking in 3 or 4 shots ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140449 while looking out at this beautiful scene ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140450 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140451 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140452 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140453 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140454 including these trees ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140455 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140456 and this little rock ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140457 and amidst the trees ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140458 were the local gardeners doing their work ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140459 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140460 even as we looked back to the tea room in its quiet elegance. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140461 This tree showed the scars of having been drained of its sap to make turpentine for the war effort in 1945. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140462 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140463 After one final photo, ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140464 we found ourselves back at the hotel for lunch. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140465 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140466 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140467 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140468 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140469 Next, it was time to go visit with the governor of the Ishikawa Prefecture and after our conversation and the exchange of gifts, I posed with him ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140470 and then he posed with Suzanne and me. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140471 While at the prefecture headquarters, we went to the observation deck on the top floor and took photos in all directions of rice fields amid properties ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140472 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140473 and out to the sea ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140474 as this woman was describing ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140475 before we went back to the scenery on our own ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140476 and then headed back to the hotel for the conference about the Ishikawa Japanese Language program which was followed by a reception where Suzanne had this sushi. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140477 Back at the room, I noted the marvelous properties of our toilet. When you approach ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140478 the cover rises ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140479 ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140480 and as you walk away, the toilet flushes itself. A nice technology on which to end the day. ../../../Sabbat/2012/06.29-07.16.12Japan//P1140481