2) Shinshōgokuraku-ji (真正極楽寺)

At a time when many temples, and even whole mountains, were off limits to women, Shinshōgokuraku-ji (aka Shinnyo-dō 真如堂) offered them a refuge.

Special services were held for women, aiding them to rebirth.

1) Honpō-ji (本法寺)

Founded by Nisshin (日親) in 1436, over the years the temple would clash many times with the authorities. More than a little outspoken, Nisshin eventually found himself punished by the shōgun in a cruel and most unusual way....by having a heated pot melded to his head!

Last summer Nao-san planned to enjoy 'nodate' (野点 'outdoor tea ceremony') in each of the 4 seasons, and finally that dream came to pass

Nichizō soon won over and converted Yanagi-ya Nakaoki (柳屋仲興), the widow of the store's owner. She gifted him the store and its numerous buildings to create a Nichiren temple.

At first Nichizō bestowed on it the name 'Yanagi-dera' (柳寺), after the original shop.

The temple's history began with the arrival of Nichizō (日像) in 1294.
Charged with converting Emperor Fushimi (伏見天皇) to Nichiren Buddhism (日蓮系諸宗) by Nichiren on his deathbed, Nichizō found lodgings at the Yanagi-ya (柳屋) saké store at Nishinotōin Gojō.

Although the story sounds miraculous, oeshiki-zakura in fact blooms over an incredibly long (6 month) period.

While the flowers become evident in October, it's not until April 8th (Buddha’s birthday) that the blossoms reach their peak (with the other sakura).

A tree close to the main hall of Myōren-ji unseasonably began blooming on the 13th day of the 10th month, the anniversary of Nichiren's (日蓮 1222-82) death.
Because of this it became known as 'Oeshiki-zakura' (御会式桜 'Memorial to Nichiren Sakura').

A pretty stroll to lunch...

The left-hand mouse carries a drinking bowl (水の器), representing abundant harvests, protection from illness and success in conceiving.
The right-hand guardian carries a scroll (巻物) to symbolise academic achievement and knowledge.

THE MICE SHRINE

Abandoning her tea and sweets to the god of wind, Nao-san took refuge at nearby Ōtoyo-jinja (大豊神社). Thanks to two cheerful rodent statues, the shrine is more familiarly known as 'Nezumi-no-sha' (鼠の社).

What the photos do not capture is how windy it was...sudden gusts threatened to carry the sweets away, and whisking matcha with a tree trunk as wind break was not the most elegant of experiences

Towards the middle of April parts of the canal beside the Philosopher's Path (哲学の道) become a river of petals.
The phrases 'hana-no-ukibashi' (花の浮橋 'floating bridge of flowers') and 'hanaikada' (花筏 'flower raft') both describe water thick with petals.