Visiting Japanese Shiva

Today's boat trip to an ancient temple island - it was a stunning place and when we got off the boat and stepped into the steep crevice, a few tears flowed.

The way the buildings are crammed in to the crevices moved my heart where sometimes feelings can form like encrustations in a rocky crevice.

So beautiful to have them honoured, painted in orange and gold and be able to bow down to all the gods of rocks and rain, fire and sky.

Layers of history and being - a goddess statue who looks like Shiva but her crown is a Tori gate (Japanese Shinto gateway); all the remnants of people's prayers through the years, other hearts, other guides, what has been treasured and honoured.