I set out as early as reasonable, given that the day's maximum was 7 degrees at that would peak somewhere around 2pm. Passing a local temple, I noticed fascinating bamboo decorations freshly erected in the garden. They looked like organ pipes to me and one contained a mandarin or orange and the colourful white and purple variegated ornamental cabbages were planted at the base of this intriguing construction. I crossed the familiar red bridge and its ensuing climb to the first traffic lights. This was my turn off to discovery of new territory and the commencement of the unabated pedal up the mountain pass to Ogano-machi in the next valley. I was amused by the bear-warning sign. Previous versions I have seen in Fuji area show a regular-looking kind of bear and by comparison the Chichibu bear had big shoulders and a stern appearance. Kakizakai Sensei told me later that they are not actually so gigantic like North American or Canadian bears but still respond unfavourably when people threaten a mother with cub. Regrettably, they are hibernating right now so I probably won't get to see one. Set back in another fold in the hills, one follows the country road amongst wood mills and farms out to the grand wooden two-storey gate that marks the entry to Temple No.32 Hōshō-ji. The temple is located in an area called Hannya. In popular terminology it refers to the demonic mask of a woman with horns and grinning ear to ear but in Buddhist parlance, it refers to the esoteric wisdom accompanying enlightenment. Hmmmmm ... which will it be? The gate and a stairway of mossy stones, dotted with statues, lanterns and coiffeured trees, leads to the main hall, that was silent and unattended except for the hyperactive racket of birdsongs. Theoretically, pilgrims can receive inscriptions at these points, but often they are still. Deep at the top of valley in the distance, one can see a boat-shaped monolithic rock from which Hōshō-ji receives its popular name of Iwafune Kannon, or
Rock Boat Kannon. The bow of the rock can be glimpsed through the woods as you make your way up a muddy, mossy, leafy, at times obscure, pathway to caves used by ascetic monks meditating and practising rigorous discipline from mediaeval times and the bronze statue in a cave on the mountain-top. the top of the rock commands a panoramic view of the surrounding woods, countryside and villages and the Buddha statue seems to have prime position for surveying it. The principal Kannon of the temple is enshrined in the Kannon Hall built a small way up the path set into the cliff-face and backing on to a naturally formed (obviously formerly underwater some eons ago) cave into which many Jizo statues are lodged and the inner hall. The wooden building teetering on the hillside is surrounded by verandas with a deep green view through the straight trees and moss-verdant forest, with just the chattering of birds and small insects in an otherwise tranquil, light environment. Various images around the Kannon Hall refer to the idea of 'sailing in the boat of wisdom' as mentioned in a pilgrims' song associated with the temple. On my bushwalk up the 
mountain, at times clinging on to a chain thoughtfully suspended next to the footholds chopped out of the rock face to help you claw your way up to Buddha's privileged viewpoint, I met not a single sole, more than once reminded of, and cultivating my respect for, the inimitable Japanese character-trait of determination and perseverance. I sat in a cave with a row of Jizo statues eating my lunch of mandarins and a soy-marinated boiled egg, thinking about the huge atmosphere, isolation from people and intimacy with nature that Ben alludes to as the essential San'ya (Mountain Valley) experience. This is a reference to the traditional Japanese honkyoku piece for solo shakuhachi, whose spaciousness and contemplation encapsulates the feeling of a place "deep in the mountains" (as Kakizakai Sensei says) that must be like this. It's an enlightenment/inspiration connection for shakuhachi players, you might say. I could have stayed longer were the day warmer and might again return to practice in a hermit's cave: that rather appeals! This is a special place.
In the evening, I was very fortunate to be invited to Christmas dinner with the Kakizakais. Again, they made delicious morsels that we 'barbecued' at the table on a sizzling hot-plate, including giant ebi (prawns), shitake mushrooms, negi (shallots), ham and sake warmed the cheerful evening conversation. I sensed a twinge of disappointment from Megumi that we could not discover Temple No.32 together but we will go another day by car and she can show me many things I missed. Takahashi and Emi, son and daughter, both like practising their English so we had plenty of fun.
I pieced together this panorama shot showing the 360 degree view from standing next to Buddha in the cave on the mountain-top. Please look at my fickr photo to scroll around the full-sized compilation or click on this image to see a medium-sized view.
