The water fountain (Chouzubachi) at Rurikoji Temple for washing the hands before prayer
from $25.00 to $150.00 and become prize
possessions of sake aficionados (aside from
the fact that it makes the sake taste sooo much
better). And in addition to the white glaze, Hagi
ware is characterized by a small chip in the
bottom of each piece that historically, made the
produce unacceptable to be given as a gift of
tribute to the ruling feudal lord, and allowed that
piece to be sold at market. The tradition of the
‘chip’ has continued to this day.
Hagi’s other treasures include back streets
where one can visit old samurai houses. The
daimyo or feudal lord would live in the Castle,
which in Hagi’s case, was built in 1604 but was
mostly destroyed in 1874.
The lord’s
retainers—the samurai warriors who pledged to
defend the feudal lord--- lived in the nearby
castle town or Jokamachi, and some of these
samurai mansions have survived and offer a
glimpse into the past. One of the themes that
draws travellers to Japan is the samurai era
and many will want to soak up the history and
stories of that time period. For example, on the
nearby island of Ganryu-jima, between Honshu
and Kyushu, is the venue where the historic
dual took place in 1612 between the legendary
swordsmen Myamoto Musashi and Sasaki
Kojiro.
The ruins of Hagi Castle are only a short bicycle
ride away, as are the Tokoji and Daishoin
Temples where members of the Mori clan are
buried. The traditional, simple yet powerful
architectural lines of the temples, complete with
fields of lanterns and the tranquility of Zen
gardens, offer a serene place to wander, learn
and reflect. This too follows a theme for
travellers to Japan, and emphasizes ‘silence’,
‘meditation’, ‘religion’ ‘temple architecture’ and
‘gardens’.