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Description
East of Chichibu (see Haiku for Chichibu for details) is a massive series of mountains that block the eastern (or Pacific-facing) part of Japan from the Western (or China-facing) part. Right along the beginnings of these mountains, overlooking the entire valley that contains Chichibu and it's surrounding towns, is Mitsumine-jinja. Famous for having once been the training ground of samurai who escaped the world to focus, meditate, and practice, it is one of those mystical places where you can almost hear their shouts and cries while they practiced.

This photo is of one of the smaller shrines outside the temple itself (which was under reconstruction when I visited in 2004). The day we were there was clear and beautiful down in Chichibu itself, with high clouds scudding along. That the shrine was covered in clouds that made it look like mist tells you how high we were...

Description
East of Chichibu (see Haiku for Chichibu for details) is a massive series of mountains that block the eastern (or Pacific-facing) part of Japan from the Western (or China-facing) part. Right along the beginnings of these mountains, overlooking the entire valley that contains Chichibu and it's surrounding towns, is Mitsumine-jinja. Famous for having once been the training ground of samurai who escaped the world to focus, meditate, and practice, it is one of those mystical places where you can almost hear their shouts and cries while they practiced.

This photo is of one of the smaller shrines outside the temple itself (which was under reconstruction when I visited in 2004). The day we were there was clear and beautiful down in Chichibu itself, with high clouds scudding along. That the shrine was covered in clouds that made it look like mist tells you how high we were...