Myohoji - Fujieda

This beautiful little temple has a website. It must be important.

Friday Finish - Blackwork Pillow

This piece was designed by Elizabeth Almond and is called Da Capo. The pattern can be found in the May 2013 Cross Stitch & Needlework publication. I finished the piece as a pillow, with a 30 cm form. The backing fabric mimics the border of the blackwork pattern.

Soden Temple - Fujieda

This is a small, beautifully kept, temple of the Nichiren sect.

I am always amazed to be the only person at these quiet temples.

Work In Progress Wednesday

Beady fob progress - I was able to get six sets (front and back) on the piece of fabric. From left to right, the DMC variegated colors are 106, 94, 108, 111, 115, and 105.  I have started the second step stitches on the red, using DMC 104.  This project is good for using up small pieces of fabric, good for a carry along project, and great for little gifts. I think I’ve made hundreds of them.

Blackwork progress - the stitching is finished. Next I will work on finish finishing it. It measures nearly 12 in x 12 in.

Manzoji - Fujieda

Well taken care of, quiet temple in Fujieda.

Do people eat their lunch here?

Sarushima - near Yokohama

I took the train to the Yokosuka-chuo Station, then walked about 15 minutes to Mikasa Pier. Sarushima is an uninhabited island and the only way to get there is by ferry. The cost for the ferry and entrance to the island is 2000 yen. The ferry runs once an hour, depending on the weather.

Sarushima means monkey island, but, there are no monkeys! The name comes from a legend, which says a monk sailing to Enoshima became lost in a storm was saved by a white monkey that led him to this island. 

After getting off the ferry, visitors are free to explore the island. There are many steps and inclines. I did not see any warnings ahead of time and there were parents with young children in strollers and tour groups of elderly people who were not able to get around the island. I would have been disappointed to arrive on the island and not be able to get around and see the sights. There were many interesting things to see. The island served as a defensive outpost protecting the capital. It was heavily fortified from the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1867) through WWII. The island ruins include excavated tunnels, barracks, and gun batteries. 

I walked all around the island and enjoyed all the interesting sights. The were plenty of signs to give directions as well as tell you where you were.

I never thought there was such a place, so I’m glad I visited and found out.