Old Friends and the largest Buddhist Temple outside of China

There's lots to tell about the last few weeks.  It will take me a couple of posts.  Sid's roommate from graduate school, Yutaka Ito and his new wife came to visit a couple of weekends ago.  We went to one of Tokyo's tourist meccas, Asakasa Temple. It is the largest Buddhist temple outside of China.  The temple itself is huge and ornate, but what interested the Americans most was the wonderful array of little shops and stalls leading to the temple. If you visit Tokyo, this is the place to go to get your souvenirs, everything from Japanese dolls to traditional Japanese cloths to kimonos.  The stalls line a little street on both sides and up above there are fall decorations--leaves and sort of shiny leaves--sort of like fall tinsel off a fall Christmas tree.

Along the way to the shrine--not the fall leaf decorations and the Chinese lanterns. Also note the crowd.

The Ito family and 3/4 of the Pash family.  Note Sam's downcast look.  He was unable to purchase a Chinese star key chain and is not happy.  Later, the key chain was purchased by big brother Graham who also bought one for himself.

The Pash family in front of the entrance to the temple. On the right you can just glimpse the giant ball thing and in the middle you can see a huge Chinese lantern.  These objects are much bigger than they appear in this picture.

Smoke for purification before entering the temple.

Graham pondering the peace and serenity he might have if he became a Buddhist.

Sid and Yugi in front of the temple entrance.  Note Sid's eyeglasses--just one example of the bargains one can find at the 100 yen shop.