The First Day

Hello once again!

   Currently its 9:00 p.m. in the night, and I'm back to my room, after a loooong day, ready to write for you guys!

   So the day started with a ''Good Morning Japan!''

(Moorning view of Ise)

   Today we had to wear fancy clothes because of a cerimony that was going to take place in the moorning so I tried my best to suit up. At 8:20 a.m. we were ready to leave.

    But before that, I want to share some details about the appartment as I didn't get a chance to do yesterday.

   So this is the lobby, on the boys side. Yes the appartment (building) is divided in the middle, separating boys from girls. The stairs in the picture are from the boys side, but if you can imagine the picture going to the left side, you would see the same stairs leading to the girls side. This separation is just for ''show'' because the hallways are actually connected. The interesting point here, however, is that little step on the bottom of the picture. That same step separates the bottom floor where you can wear your shoes, from the upper floor where you MUST use socks and special sandals. The shoes are stored inside those lockers on the right side. 

   For those who are wondering, we have to climb the stairs all the way up to the 4th floor, because there is no elevator.

   The following picture shows the designated building.

   So, after we leave the appartment we walked 5-6 minutes through Ise city

                                 (In here, people only cross when the sign is green. Only!)

                                                                 (Ise hospital)

   We went through Ise city ''main'' gate (Torii), which is actually artificial and not made by actual wood, like most of the others. Still pretty high and pretty.

                                                           
   And we reached Kogakkan University for the first time!

   A very modern University, but not entirely. The picture above shows the New buildings, but not the old ones (see them on the Photo section). Immediatly we entered the left white building, up to the top floor where we had a formal meeting with all the teachers and University responsibles.

   One hour later, we went outside for a tour around the entire University. On that same green field we got a chance to see a dance group practicing. 

(I will do my best to get my hands on a video and upload it!)

   This was not set up, we were merely lucky to be able to see their practice. Its very interesting the way they enjoy it, because their faces are very expressive from the beggining to the end. They greeted us very well indeed! During the tour we visited the Shinto library, the University Museum and the building where Shinto priests are trained. (To avoid making this post too long I will post those pictures on the Photo Section).

   After the University tour finished at 11:30 a.m we were off to visit our first Shrine; The Yamato-Hime Shrine. For those who don't know, Yamato-Hime (princess Yamato) was the one responsible, during the first century, for the first shrine, of 125 total, ever built in Ise. 

   First, we went through the Torii (Shinto gate)

   Then the long walk (Sando) among nature...

   Then the stairs....

     

   Then finally the top, starting with the purification fountain (Temizuya). In here, everyone uses the wood spoons to clean their hands and mouth in a simple ritual of purification.

  

 The ritual goes as follows: 

   1 - Hold the spoon with your left hand;

   2 - Fill the spoon with water;

   3 - Drop a little bit of the water, from inside the spoon, and wash your right hand, 

   4 - Hold the spoon with your right hand and do the same to your left hand;

   5 - Fill your left hand with water and take it to your mouth, to clean it; 

   6 - Spit it out the water;

   7 - Return to your right hand, washing it; 

   8 - Drop some water into your left hand and wash the spoon; 

   9 - Hold the spoon in a vertical position so that the remaning water may fall into the soil. 

   The process is simple and, although heavy words like ''ritual''and ''purification'' may come attached to it, this task is actually very light and ''refreshing''. 

   After everyone completed the ritual, we finally got into the Honden (Main building), where the kami (deity) is enshrined.

   It's in front of this building that all the believers pray. This act of prayer also has a very specific way to be done:

   1 - You drop all the weight attached to you, into the floor;

   2 - Make 2 bows;

   3 - Join your hands together in a praying position, but making sure that one hand's fingers stand higher than the others;

   4 - Correct your fingers, by joining them in a symmetric position;

   5 - Clap 2 times;

   6 - Make a wish;

   7 - Bow once.

   A simple ''ritual for praying'' that may take one minute, or even five, depending on your wish.

   After saying goodbye to Yamato-Hime Shrine we went back to the University, for lunch on the caffeteria, (photos coming soon). Ending at 14:00 we had our first two classes which ended at 16:30. Even though we were tired, some of us went looking for a Post-office so that we could withdraw some money at the ATM's.    Finally arriving home at 17:45, the dinner was already served. A buffet was served in the presence of the Ise mayor. 

    Teachers, coordinators and students, together in a room for a very joyfull dinner. From 18:00 to 21:00 we had alot of fun! 

   

   A lot of us drinked and we were allowed to take the remaining drinks/food into our rooms. Right now, Im still waiting to see if my ''almost-drunk'' friend doesn't come knocking at my door ^^

   In the end, it was just the first official day. Very tired, very exciting, very new. A LOT is yet to come but tomorrow is still a mystery.
   Hope you enjoyed this LONG post! Check out the Photo Section for more and I will be posting other photos from this day, tomorrow.

If there is something you guys want me to show you, please comment, tell me what you wish to see. I swear I will put time into it!


  Diogo Ramos here, stay tuned for more!