Japan – Susan Spann, Mystery Author

Fudo Myo-o and the Fudo Hall (Koyasan Part 3)

Susan Spann Blog April 20, 2018Buddhism, Fudo, Fudo Myo-o, Fudo-do, Japan, Koya, Koyasan, Mount Koya, Shingon 0 Comment

Founded by the monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) during the 9th century, Danjo Garan continues to function as the heart of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism in Japan. While the entire kōya (mountaintop valley) is considered a single “temple,” the complex at Danjo Garan holds many important historical structures that still serve a role in modern Buddhist worship – including the Fudō-do, or Fudō Hall. (To read this series on Koya from the beginning, click here.) In Shingon Buddhist belief, Fudō Myō-ō is an incarnation of the Buddha and the leader of the wisdom kings. He protects the living and guides them toward enlightenment.

A Visit to Koyasan, part 1: Up the Mountain!

Susan Spann Blog April 11, 2018April 20, 2018Japan, Koya, Koyasan, Shingon, shukubo, visiting koya

Kōyasan, or Kōya, is a natural basin atop a mountain in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The shallow basin (called a kōya in Japanese) sits 800 meters above sea level, and is home to one of Japan’s most sacred temple complexes (also known as Kōyasan), as well as Japan’s largest cemetery, Okunoin. In the weeks that come, I hope you’ll join me for a virtual tour of Kōya and its various sites of interest. Today, we’re taking the journey up the mountain by cable car.

Hanami and Cherry Blossom Forecasts in Japan

Susan Spann Blog April 2, 2018April 1, 2018cherry blossoms, forecast, hanami, Japan, JNTO, sakura, Tokyo

Yesterday at Murder is Everywhere, I posted a blog about the traditional hanami – “flower viewing” – parties that happen at sakura (cherry blossom) season. (Photo credit: Xyrenth – used with permission.) Cherry blossoms are such an important part of Japanese culture that the Japanese National Tourism Organization (and other media outlets) publish an annual “sakura forecast” predicting the date when cherry blossoms will open across Japan.

A Visit to Eikan-do (Part 1)

Susan Spann Blog March 28, 2018April 6, 2018Buddhism, Eikan-do, Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji, Japan, Kyoto, philosopher's path, temples

Eikan-do Zenrin-ji sits on the southern end of the famed “Philosopher’s Path” that runs along a canal in Northeastern Kyoto. Founded during the mid-9th century, Zenrin-ji is the head temple of the Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrin-ji sect of Buddhism in Japan, and although it’s a popular tourist spot, it’s also very much a living, functioning Buddhist temple.

Springtime in Tokyo!

Susan Spann Blog March 26, 2018March 25, 2018flowers, Japan, plum blossom, spring, Tokyo

Sadly, I had to leave Tokyo last week and return to the USA to finish chemotherapy. (On the positive side, I had an infusion last week, and only have one more to go!) Fortunately, I didn’t miss out on all of the lovely spring flowers in Japan.

Heading For the Chemo Finish Line – and Japan

Susan Spann Blog March 21, 2018100 Summits, chemo, chemotherapy, dose-dense, Japan, taxol

Today I had my penultimate infusion of Taxol chemotherapy. Now that I only have one more to go, I’m starting to reflect on this journey and the things I’ve learned, and to make more solid preparations for the upcoming move to Japan.

Traditional Sweets at Hamarikyu Gardens

Susan Spann Blog March 15, 2018Hamarikyu Gardens, Hamarikyu Koen, Japan, matcha, sweets, Tokyo

Although I can’t do much sightseeing this trip due to chemotherapy (compromised immune systems and crowded places do not mix) I’m cleared for outdoor walks, and since Tokyo’s famous Hamarikyu Gardens are only two short blocks from my hotel, I took advantage of the excellent weather and went for a lovely walk this afternoon. Hamarikyu Gardens opened to the public in 1946, but the park has existed for centuries. Originally the private hunting and falconry ground of the Tokugawa shoguns, the gardens are now a public park. The gardens contain several lakes – some of which originally functioned as duck hunting

Ginza, Visas, and the Start of the 100 Summits Quest

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog March 13, 2018March 13, 2018#100Summits2018, 100 Summits, chemo, chemotherapy, Japan, travel

Yesterday afternoon, I arrived in Tokyo to begin the first official step toward the #100Summits Project: filing my visa application. Japanese residence visas can be difficult to obtain, but I’m hopeful my plans to climb the hyakumeizan and my publishing contract for 100 SUMMITS–a nonfiction book about my quest to scale Japan’s most famous peaks in a single year–will be sufficient for me to obtain a one-year visa.

Traveling to Japan . . . on Chemotherapy

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog March 9, 2018March 6, 2018cancer, chemo, chemotherapy, Japan, Tokyo, travel, traveling on chemo

Tomorrow evening, I board a flight for Los Angeles, and Sunday morning I’m heading for Japan to meet with my immigration representative and sign my visa application. On Wednesday, I had my second infusion of Taxol chemotherapy (number 2 of 4) so I’ll be recovering from the side effects while I travel.

Shojin Ryori – Japanese Temple Cuisine

Susan Spann Blog March 5, 2018March 4, 2018Japan, Japanese food, shojin ryori, temple cuisine, vegetarian food

Although I love most styles of Japanese cooking, my favorite is shojin ryori, or temple cuisine. This style of cooking, practiced primarily in Buddhist temples, came to China from Japan along with the Zen Buddhism. Since Buddhist practice forbids killing animals for consumption, shojin ryori contains no meat or fish and also eschews the use of “exciting” or “pungent” ingredients like garlic and onions.

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