After supper, I relax on the platform at the back of the house. I marvel at the
garden with its towering trees which has been created in a very small space. The
next morning, I head for the big historic Zen temples that are located along the
slopes of the east side of the Kyoto basin. I have no real idea what I’m looking for
or where I should look for it. Something will turn up. By mid afternoon, I’m
getting quite tired as I wander into a large park in the midst of some large temples.
I come upon a monk. He’s wearing black robes and a monk’s straw hat and is
singing at the top of his lungs as he strolls along. I walk over. He stops when I
reach him.

“Can you help me?” I ask.

“I don’t think so,” he smiles and walks away resuming his song.

It’s getting late and I head for home. After supper, Aia-san asks how things
went.

“Not very well, I’m afraid.”

“I know someone who’s staying at a Zen temple,”she goes on. “Maybe
you can stay there too.”She gives me a map and explains how to get to the temple.

“You’re very helpful,” I say, “and you certainly speak good English.”

“I was born and raised in California,” she replies playfully.

“You’re an American?”

“Yep.”

“Oh.”

“I’m moving from here tomorrow,” she continues. “You can reach me at
this phone number.”She hands me a slip of paper. Since this is the first time in
my life a beautiful girl — or any girl — has given me her phone number, I’m sure I
will call.

In the morning, I follow Aia-san’s map and easily find Antaiji. It’s on the
opposite side of Kyoto from the places I’d been touring yesterday.

I’ve found my new home.

page:

46

Japanby Morley Evans

November 21, 2000