Photo of Castillo San Marcos in St. Augustine at night.

Latest episode is out: Journey to the West, Part 1. We again travel afield, following in the footsteps of the monk Xuanzang (玄奘), aka Tripitaka Master of the Law (三蔵法師). In Part 1, we follow his journey from Chang'an (長安) out to the Kingdom of Gaochang (高昌國).

sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/epis...

Sunset in the woods.

Sakafune-ishi may be one of the stones most closely connected with Saimei, though it is hard to say for sure. The placement matches some of the work in the Nihon Shoki, though. Was this the result of the "mad canal" that upset so many people at the time?
(Public domain image from Wikimedia Commons)

The stone work that they've found includes things like this model of Mt. Sumera that is also a fountain. These weren't just images, these were feats of engineering using natural water pressure. These would have adorned gardens in mansions and temples.

This was the "Asuka Capital", with multiple palace sites built one on top of each other through the latter 6th and 7th centuries, nestled between the hills and surrounded by newly constructed temple complexes. (Image shows a model of Asuka from its height, towards the end of the 7th century).

Episode 118: Stonework and Treason

Latest episode is up, talking about Takara Hime (in her second reign, as Saimei Tennō), and her construction projects in Asuka. Check out the blogpost for photos.

sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/epis...

Miho no Matsubara (Miho pine grove), the location for the legend that became a Noh play, "Hagoromo", where an "angel" came down to go swimming and removed her "Hagoromo" and hung it on a tree, where it was taken by a fisherman.

The area is known for its beautiful views, among other things.

Unprocessed photos from the recent IBF (international Battōdō Federation) bus trip to Kunozan Toshōgū and Mt. Fuji