One Thousand Years

[iamemocore]

You're right. I have Mexican ancestry and I always think of the Aztec's Tenochtitlan. When the Spanish came upon the giant city of gold, it was unprecedented in size compared to ANYTHING in Europe at the time. Amazing. And now, you would never know it ever existed.

[dmarie1184]

That certainly does put things in perspective, especially when you don't see much evidence of anything "old" when you live in suburbia.

I think that's why I love going to the old serpant mound nearby, made by Native Americans thousands of years ago. It's the only thing around here really that's that old and that has been preserved.

[Synthesoy]

How long did it take you to learn Japanese? btw your videos are awesome

[softypapa]

Hello Synthesoy, Thank you for watching and commenting. The Japanese language has always been a challenge for me and my skill is still quite low. I will always keep trying though! Thank you again for watching! -Kurt :-)

[Strideo1]

This is actually something I think about fairly often because I live in an urban area where there is a higher percentage of old buildings but even then by Asian or European standards the oldest buildings in town aren't that old. There are some from the early to mid 1800's but most are from the 1900's onward.

The oldest city I've visited is St. Augustine FL founded in 1565. The oldest building I've been inside in Georgia was a pre-revolutionary log cabin.

[Strideo1]

The oldest structures I've visited are the Etowah Indian Mounds.

[softypapa]

Hello Strideo1, Thank you for sharing about your own interest and encounters with evidence of the past in your part of the world. Age is certainly relative though the meaning and significance seem to be the same wherever we live. Thanks again! -Kurt :-)

[misokatsu99]

Don't forget the native Americans were in California for quite some time.

[MicknFumi]

Sounds great man. I know where your coming from, living in a country such as Australia. I look forward to seeing it. Maybe in person, since my wife & I will be in Kyoto in January : )

[neslock]

I remember reading about a 1,400 year old business in Japan, that went under in 2006 (Kongo Gumi, temple builders).

[softypapa]

Hello neslock, That's an amazing story and tradition. So sad to hear that this venerable old business has passed. Thanks for sharing! -Kurt :-)

[gtpluvr]

Hi Kurt! While you guys are in the Kyoto area you should visit the Golden Pavilion and Kiyumizudera!...I visited that when I was there and enjoyed it very much! Take care!

[softypapa]

Hello gtpluvr, Thank you for the suggestion. We will certainly look into these as options. Thanks again! -Kurt :-)

[Bluegoo]

One thing that I've noticed about most of your videos is the lack of Japanese in them. Do the Japanese just not like to go hiking?

[softypapa]

Hello Bluegoo, In fact I rarely meet other hikers while I explore in the mountains. I often see farmers and local folks though very rarely anyone with a daypack and a camera. I think that most Japanese stick to the popular hiking courses while I tend to wander around the ordinary farm roads. -Kurt :-)

[Th33k]

can u post a v?ideo of the painting? please? or would that be considered rude to record it?

[Th33k]

video*

[softypapa]

Hello Th33k, I will certainly try to get a video if I can. Thanks for asking! -Kurt :-)

[Th33k]

did you get a video of it yet?

[softypapa]

Hello Th33k, Thanks for asking. We went and had a nice time though I was just that day becoming quite ill. As a result though I did take some video I am not sure if the quality was much good. I may post some material from this trip in the next week or two if I find anything worthwhile to share. It's amazing how feeling sick can affect everything. Much better now though! Thanks again for asking! Have a great holiday! -Kurt :-)

[Th33k]

oh thank you ^_^ and i am glad you are feeling better

[softypapa]

Much better, thank you. Happy holidays! :-)

[PhotoNika]

I once did a tea ceremony where the chawan was 1,000 years old and the furo/kettle was 1,100 years old and passed down through a single family.

As I held the chawan it boggled my mind. In my hand it was simply a tea cup. for me its time line was just then and there. My mind could not grasp all of the time it had been in existence and how many times it had been used in tea ceremonies or how many lips had touched it.

Time , the now. it was busted up by that crazy cup.

[softypapa]

Hello PhotoNika, Wow! That was quite an honor to have a chance to see, handle and even use such an old tea bowl and kettle. I think that such an experience would indeed have a profound and lasting impact on anyone. Thank you for sharing about this incredible experience! -Kurt :-)

[PhotoNika]

was a huge stroke of luck indeed. The tea master, unbenownst to me, was dying of cancer then. His view on time must have also been unique at that moment. He was a special man. (This is in Boston w Kaji Aso san)

[acatinny]

Do not show this video to Native Americans, hehe.

[softypapa]

Hello acatinny, You are certainly correct in indicating that there is a very old cultural heritage in North America which deserves to be acknowledged. Sadly though, in places like Los Angeles where I base my comparison, the evidence of this wonderful past is often difficult to find. Whereas here in Japan artifacts and reminders of the past seem more visible, and at times have a way of pouncing on the observer in the most unexpected times & places. Thank you for watching and commenting. -Kurt :-)

[Luminasita]

An amazing span of time. When thinking in terms of history my brain tends to segment time according to English monarchs.

1,000 years is.... many merry monarchs! Hard to wrap the mind around!

~Kat

[softypapa]

Hello Kat, Your comparison brings to mind the long history of the Japanese royal family. Many somber Mikado. -Kurt :-)

Hey, when is it going to be talk like a pirate day again? :-)

[Luminasita]

September 19th :D Best holiday ever!

[softypapa]

Me thanks to you, matey! :-)

[TiramisuHappy]

Your 1940s California beach bungalow reference vis-a-vis an ancient Japanese temple that's been around for more than 1,000 years was quite amusing and yet definitely puts things into perspective on a historical timeline. ; P

If you're allowed to film at the art exhibit, please do and share it with us!! Can't wait to see it.

[softypapa]

Hello TiramisuHappy, I'm not kidding when I state that I actually stumbled when my wife mentioned the 1000 year bit. We certainly do have some old stuff in California (Spanish missions and native American history for example); however, there is just something different about the way the ancient past seems to peek from every corner here in Japan and jump out when you least expect it. Like finding an ancient Jizo standing beside the entrance to a 7/11 store. Thanks for your comments! -Kurt :-)

[Budobuyu]

Kurt,

I had the same realization when I was in Noda, Japan. There is a temple there that has been there since the year 800. It took awhile for that to REALLY sink in and to this day it still amazes me.

Love your videos Kurt!

-Hunter

[softypapa]

Hello Hunter, Your time in Noda sounds very interesting. It really is an amazing thing to have a chance to see such old places and to witness evidence of such a distant and remote time. Thanks for watching and commenting! -Kurt :-)

[reymiland]

As I was preparing for bed last night I was thinking about the Tokaido. I would love to walk along a part where it has not been changed too much and then imagine it was 500 years ago and see the couriers and merchants and Samurai walking the road and stopping at all the gated checkpoints and having to show their passes allowing them to travel. Thank you for the video and please let us see the painting if it is permitted.

[softypapa]

Hello reymiland, Thank you for sharing about your old Tokaido highway musings. I often ride my bicycle along a quiet stretch of this old road while going to and from work and sometimes at dawn and dusk and especially when the road is deserted I try to imagine the figures of history who have passed along this same causeway. If you are ever in the area then perhaps we can take a stroll together along the old road and talk of things related to this fascinating past. Thanks for sharing! -Kurt :-)

[reinyagami]

I too live in California, but my family before me came from Odenwald, Germany.

I love all the history from such old cultures, it makes living in America a bit plain.

[OnsenEx]

My village here in Germany celebrated it's 1200th birthday a few years ago. The church has nearly the same age. I often forget how young America really is.

[softypapa]

Hello OnsenEx, That's fascinating that you live in such an interesting place. I'd love to know the name of your village in order to look up photos on the Internet. Thanks for watching and commenting! -Kurt :-)

[Peekingduck]

Great video and food for thoughts .

Question; When you say "old part of the world" I assume you mean old culture right ?

[softypapa]

Hello Peekingduck, Yes, that is the meaning I intended to convey. I'm sorry if I did not choose my words carefully. Thank you for seeking clarification. -Kurt :-)

[Peekingduck]

No, sorry.

I didn't mean it like that at all.

No need to apologize !

Sorry .

[softypapa]

Actually your question kicked off an interesting chain of ideas in my mind regarding the "age" of different parts of the earth. I thought about truly old places like Australia and the American east coast and relatively new places (in terms of change) such as the Himalayas or the Japanese islands. This idea is unique and distinct from the idea of old and new cultures and is fun and curious to consider. Thank you for providing the spark for such intriguing thoughts! -Kurt :-)

[Peekingduck]

More than happy something good came out of my awkward way with asking questions in written for.

: )

[softypapa]

Your comments and opinions are always very valuable to me (and others here as well I'm sure). Thank you very much for taking the time to watch these videos and share your thoughts. I'm so happy to have you along for the ride! -Kurt :-)