In preparation for hibachi dinner tonight, I thought I would share with you why it is I love the Japanese. It is summed up in this picture. They do things simply because. Because it is beautiful. Because it gives them a pleasant sense of symmetry. Do you need an arch in the middle of the water? No! An American wouldn't build such a thing - but a group of Japanese got together over a couple of bottles of sake and started a conversation with "you know what would make this water view better..." I love that.
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I recently saw another picture of this gate (torii) at a different Japanese restaurant. An older gentleman I take to be the owner explained to me that it is at Miyajima ("shrine island")- one of three of Japan's most scenic places (nihon sankei). At low tide you can walk out under the torii, which is just off shore.
The shrine at Miyajima is a World Cultural Heritage Site as designated by the United Nations. The gentleman that told me about it was there in 1996 when it's addition to the registry was announced.
Let's go!!!!!
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