Kakunodate

On March 25, 2009, while out checking on missionary apartments, Pres. & Sis. Tateoka and mother & I took an hour of p-day. We went to see a samurai village in the mountains in the northwest corner of our mission near the city of Akita. Although it was a very cold, blustery day in the mountains, it was great to catch a glimpse of life in Japan from about 350 years ago. This is an iron emblem in the architecture of the gates surrounding a samurai mansion.

During this feudal period of Japan, the master lived in Akita and his samurai retired to Kakunodate when they weren't being wariors. They really lived a double life, one as a fierce fighter and one as a skilled craftsman who earned a living for himself and his family by developing a trade.

Their trades apparently were highly varied, ranging from art, to carpentry, to metal working, to farming.

Judging from their armor, they were small people, but from their reputation they were fierce fighters. If the feudal master called for war, off they went.

Their homes would have been palaces in that time period and they spent great amounts of time constructing and caring for them. Some of their descendants still live there and open them to the public. Here is one where the thatched roof is thick and highly maintained.

The yards were full of stately trees and stone decorations like this one.

They had nice utensils, home decorations, guest rooms and more, but the rooms are extremely cold during winter.

This is the spring in one of the yards, just waiting for family members to come for a drink. Even in winter it was not frozen, and the outer surface is covered with algae.

Here's the heating system - a box of sand and a container of charcoal.

Their winter boots looked inviting, but I don't think they would be very comfortable in the snow.

It was an enjoyable hour and then we went on to check on more missionary apartments. With about 40 apartments in our mission we never stay caught up.

We are really enjoying our many experiences and are still rejoicing for the baptism of Junya that was held in our ward last week end. That makes nine for the missionaries in our ward since we came. We have been making progress with the Matsune couple whose picture we posted earlier. We thought that they might be the next baptism. However, Susumu was promoted this week and they left almost immediately to move to Tokyo. We will get their address and send a referral to the Tokyo Mission as soon as we can. They are too valuable to lose. It was sad to tell them "goodbye." We went by their apartment on our way home from church and the movers were finishing loading their truck.

All in all, life is great. The gospel is such a blessing and brings such joy into the lives of those who accept it. We thank Heavenly Father many times daily for our membership in His church and for the blessing of our family. We know He is mindful of each of you and the trials you face. Trust in Him and He will take your burdens upon Him.