The moment of greatest expectation for me in Nara was seeing the kids going through the wooden pillar, which confers lifelong blessings on anyone who makes it through - but you have to be a kid to fit. My sister Elaine talked about seeing this when she was there. Alas, during my visit the kids were making it through quite easily, laughing and smiling, whereas she and Mark had seen a more dramatic test where the parents had hampered the kids' progress by grabbing their legs just as they were about to achieve pillar nirvana (causing many tears among the kids and mirth among adult onlookers). Still, I had fun and enjoyed competing with the parents to get a decent photo angle. | Next | Korea-Japan Map | Asia 2005 Gallery Home | Home