White Heron Castle

O.K. More Kami today. Off to Himeji (White Heron) to one of the world's most beautiful castles. Originally built in 1346, it was expanded to its presents size in 1613. It never fell to military siege.
It is so huge it it hard to frame it for photo and, of course, it has been photographed at leisure by some of the world's best. But capturing it in the slanted autumn light give it a sense of time and mystery.

 

Walking back to the train station I saw a print by a local artist depicting the Kami of White Heron Castle. If you have seen the Japanese anime Totoro you will see the resemblance to that Kami who lived in a giant Camphor tree.

Further down a lovely tree-lined avenue I found a sculpture of another Kami who is the personification of music and carved the first bamboo flute to invent music. However, in the 1930's the Kami blew into a French jazz club in Himeji where he heard a soulful rendition of "My Funny Valentine" He abandoned the bamboo flute and now he only plays the saxaphone - when he allows you to see him he wears just a beret and his musical instrument as plays his golden music.

Now off to Kyoto and the Buddhist temple of Higashi Hoganji.