Ninja Certification Exam

On June 14th, 131 candidates from Japan and abroad sat for the ninja certification exam, in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture.

The exam is divided into three levels - beginner, intermediate and advanced, and includes written questions, shuriken throwing, and ninja attire. This was the 18th year of this exam. There were 93 beginner level candidates, 28 intermediate, and 10 advanced. This year’s candidates ranged in age from 9 - 76. The beginner pass rate was 90%, intermediate 70% and advanced 55%. The test is given every year, so if you missed it this year, there will be another chance next year.

Jissoji Temple

This temple was built by Emperor Toba in 1145. Nichiren, the founder of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism, stayed at this temple. There are many many steps at this temple.

Going down was faster than going up!

Friday Finish - Small Finishes

Bookmarks - front and back

Camping at the beach picture, about 8 inches by 5.5 inches.

Cross stitch camera on hand stitched zipper bag

Murayama Sengen Shrine

Murayama Sengen Shrine is another component part of the Mt. Fuji World Heritage sites. This designation was registered on the World Heritage list in June 2013.

This man is the first non-Japanese person to climb Mt. Fuji, British Diplomat Sir Rutherford Alcock, in September 1860. It took him eight hours to reach the summit and three hours to descend.

The Murayama Sengen Shrine was called Fujisan Kohoji Temple until the late 19th century, and was used for both Shinto and Buddhist worship. In 1868, the Japanese government ordered that Shinto and Buddhism be split apart, so the Kohoji Temple was abolished, and the Murayama Sengen Shrine and the Dainichido Hall were separated, but even today the two facilities are side by side, retaining their syncretic form.