Minoh Area - Walk to the Falls

So we started our first full day in Osaka with a walk to Minoh Falls…the walk was full of new experiences.

Along the way, many vendors were selling fried maple leaves, a new treat for me. I had never heard of deep-fried maple leaves. My guide reminded me not to buy from a vendor where the oil smelled bad, as that meant the oil was not fresh.

The leaves being fried are from the previous year. They are collected and preserved in salt. I couldn’t taste the salt, so they must have a way of cleaning them very thoroughly.

On the way to the falls we came upon this statue…which was lovely…until I found out it was a reminder for children to take care of their elderly mothers. Then I thought the statue was FANTASTIC!

So we started our first full day in Osaka with a walk to Minoh Falls…the walk was full of new experiences.

Along the way, many vendors were selling fried maple leaves, a new treat for me. I had never heard of deep-fried maple leaves. My guide reminded me not to buy from a vendor where the oil smelled bad, as that meant the oil was not fresh.

The leaves being fried are from the previous year. They are collected and preserved in salt. I couldn’t taste the salt, so they must have a way of cleaning them very thoroughly.

On the way to the falls we came upon this statue…which was lovely…until I found out it was a reminder for children to take care of their elderly mothers. Then I thought the statue was FANTASTIC!

Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls

Pictures of the walk to the falls…the area had suffered a typhoon the previous year. Japan has more than 25 typhoons a year, and they are named, not numbered. On the way, we happened upon a Buddhist fire ceremony. What a treat!

Pictures of the walk to the falls…the area had suffered a typhoon the previous year. Japan has more than 25 typhoons a year, and they are named, not numbered. On the way, we happened upon a Buddhist fire ceremony. What a treat!

Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls

We didn’t know the ceremony was taking place, but as we hiked to the waterfall we kept hearing drums, the shankha (conch shell), and other instruments, so we veered off the path to investigate. This particular fire ceremony occurs twice a year, and these are monks in training. In preparing for the burning, different monks approach the fire pit to drive away evil spirits. First was the archer, who released an arrow in every direction.

We didn’t know the ceremony was taking place, but as we hiked to the waterfall we kept hearing drums, the shankha (conch shell), and other instruments, so we veered off the path to investigate. This particular fire ceremony occurs twice a year, and these are monks in training. In preparing for the burning, different monks approach the fire pit to drive away evil spirits. First was the archer, who released an arrow in every direction.

Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls

Far left: Wrapped prayers that will be fed to the fire so the smoke can deliver them to heaven.

A woman near where I was shooting, above the ceremony, retrieved one of the arrows. I was shooting through an evergreen hedge, so in some photos pieces of the shrub made their way into the photos.

After the archer came two other monks dispelling evil spirits with other weapons—a knife and a long-handled ‘hatchet.’ It looked too long to be an ax, but I cannot think of what else it might be called. Each of the monks first walked to the red umbrella and bowed to a monk seated beneath it, then walked around the mound of greenery and used the tools in each direction.

Far left: Wrapped prayers that will be fed to the fire so the smoke can deliver them to heaven.

A woman near where I was shooting, above the ceremony, retrieved one of the arrows. I was shooting through an evergreen hedge, so in some photos pieces of the shrub made their way into the photos.

After the archer came two other monks dispelling evil spirits with other weapons—a knife and a long-handled ‘hatchet.’ It looked too long to be an ax, but I cannot think of what else it might be called. Each of the monks first walked to the red umbrella and bowed to a monk seated beneath it, then walked around the mound of greenery and used the tools in each direction.

Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls

Above, two photos at left: This monk is having the sword blessed.

Below: Then came the lighting of the fire…and the throwing of the prayers into the flames…

Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls
  • From the festival …came the waterfall…

 

Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls

 

Walk to Minoh falls
Walk to Minoh falls