Tadasu-no-mori is a mysterious age-old forest surrounding Shimogamo Jinja Shrine. From ancient days, people have treasured this forest as the source of spring water. In late November, I visited before dawn, when the sky was still dark, and then changed from pitch-black to dark blue. Huge numbers of crows cawed and cawed and cawed from within the heart of the forest. Walking down the 300 meter long approach to the shrine, I could see my breath in the cold morning air. When I arrived at the shrine and stepped into its precincts, flocks of the crows flew away - some to the north and others to the west. Then, complete silence was upon me. The night had gone.
Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima
Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...
