By: Atty. Marlo T. Cristobal
Impressive as it is different. I stood in awe for its beauty — the Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto that my family saw in all its splendor. As we can see, Japan, not being spared by the global wind of change, is now mainly westernized in lifestyle, fashion, infrastructure, in virtually all aspects of life. And its march to modernity is not only obviously unstoppable but even at a pace fast and furious.
And so Japan, as it were, is telling Kyoto, “hold the fort, and preserve our old look, tradition and culture.” Hence, in Kyoto you find Japan’s old culture asserting itself in food, clothing, the surroundings’ physical make-up, the various stores, and the big Kabuki Theater where traditions are depicted and shown to the world. No wonder you see in this city the greatest number (from my standpoint who have been tirelessly going around places in Japan through the herding of my restless, resourceful and aggressive son, Byron) of European, American and other foreign visitors to see and appreciate the mystique and charm of old Japan tradition.
The bent to show and maintain the old Japan is clearly illustrated in the presence of many stores offering Kimono vestments for hire to visitors as their attire for their entire visit. Consider further the usage of the old mode of transportation, the rickshaw (that is rather bastardized now by the modern materials going to its assembly). (This form of transportation our very own Jose Rizal saw in his time and strongly condemned as grossly beneath the dignity of man and smacked of contemptuous slavery the carriage drawer exuded). People go about their visit in a place with areas highly elevated and reachable by concreted multi-steps stairs. All these olden days scenarios unfold against a backdrop of lush green trees and a mountain that accentuate all the more the aura of old.
There is utter beauty seeing the living contrast of old Japan and highly modernized Japan on a same visit. I recommend that you don’t miss visiting the place. Japan is one hell of a beauty. One hell of a retirement haven. One hell of a place — for me!
