After breakfast with our host families, we met at Toshio's home and explored the local sights. We visited the site of his family's former castle, defensive fortifications, and shrine.
Home of Toshio and Rebecca in Otowa Village. Much larger that it looks from this photo. Toshio had made arrangements for out group to stay with 4 separate families in Otowa.
Exploring the remains of the Otowa Castle. This was once the entrance to a large cave where sufficient supplies were cached to enable Toshio's ancestors to survive an 8 month siege.
Most Japanese castles of this era relied on steep terrain instead of stone walls.
Remains of the Working Well. The attackers did not know that they had a working well combined with the cave.
Castle Compound. No buildings remain.
Posted for my son, who works at Tucson Harley.
Castle Entry
Due to the abundance of housing in Japan, the modern Western-style home sell for around $100,000. The older fixer-uppers for under $10,000.
Fruit tree attuned horizontally, probably to profile shade and make any fruit easier to pick.
Living Wall
My lunch from a local supermarket.
Nina's Lunch
Toshio Explaining the history of this, his family shrine. Seems that a group of 10 villages was fighting with a group of 9 villages for control of the area. Rather than stage a major battle, they agreed to a Trial by Fire between the faction leaders. Each village constructed an iron cross or sword that would be heated on hot coals. The leader must pick up the hot metal and place it 10 years away in water. The loser and his immediate family were to be killed.
Once ready, the judge overseeing the competition forced them to switch heated objects to prevent cheating. Fortunately, Toship's ancestor won.
Shrine Building
For cleansing hands before praying.
Sponsoring Company Makes and Sells Saki.
Shrine has along association with houses and wld boars.
On Today's Route
Rebecca & Toshio
Map of Today's Village Tour
Never a dull moment with Hirota-San. Great food, conversation, music, and often singing.
Scott and Hirota-San Singing to an Archies Record
More about his book reading activities.
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