Confucia Says...........

Today is beautiful gotta be at Utsunomiyia Train station at 9am.  We are going to an unknown destination; well unknown to me.  I'm sure I will find out very soon where we are going. I sat in the front seat and don't think I would ever get used to sitting where in the USA a driver should be seating.  I can say I am very relaxed with Teresa's driving, its me that can't get used to the feeling that we are always on the wrong side of the road and right hand drive cars.   We all talked the entire time going to Ashikaga City. Yes they have finally told me but that means nothing to me, I mean what's there? on the way to Ashikaga City I spotted a McDonald's which looks similar to the ones in the USA. I spotted the golden arches first.......Sorta scary look at all those electrical wires yikes.

When we arrived we parked at a city parking area and walked over to find our way into Japan's oldest Gakko (school).  We had to walk across a bridge that goes over the street to get over to the school.

Can you guess who this is?  Look closely. This is a Confucian statue. Confucianism was the main course of study at the Ashikaga Gakko (school).

Now its time to enter the School Gate. Up above the gate is a framed tablet written in Chinese characters that spell out SCHOOL.

Once inside the school gate we entered another gate which was called the Nyutoku gate. The characters Nyutoku hangs from this gate that's why its called the Nyutoku gate. Nyutoku written in Chinese characters just means enter into course of study.
One more gate to enter then finally we will be entering the school grounds. Gate number 3 is called Kyodan Gate which is derived from the academy where Confucian first began to teach his course of study.

Finally we are at the shrine which is the building that holds the image of the Confucian shrine. It is a wooden statue designated as a culture treasure for Tochigi Prefecture.  

I have been looking at all the trees inside this school they are all so tall and some of the maple trees are starting to change into fall colors. I also have spotted some very tall bamboo trees, and horse chestnut trees.

Horse Chestnut Tree      

 We did stop and get our pictures taken under one of the trees.

 

I can see the building that used to store supplies for the school.

As we walked down the gravel path we came upon a cemetery. Don't know why a cemetery is on the school grounds?

 We are now standing in front of the HOJO (classrooms) and the living quarters. WOW very nice! I am marveled at the thatch roofs, they look so thick and heavy.

 From the any door u would go out of the view is spectacular.  Pictures will not do the scenery justice but i am going to put them in this blog...you will have to use some imagination.

 

  

 We are on our way to another shrine in walking distance.....I saw these pair of sandals hanging on the wall looks like they have been here a long time.would love to have a pair of these sandals bet they are comfortable.

On the way out of the shrine we stopped and observed all the fish in the moat around the gakko. Man are those some big fish.-----------

I saw a cute couple enjoying the park area., its a beautiful day to be outside enjoying this gorgeous weather.

Across from where they were sitting was another shrine.

 Took some pictures then headed out of Ashikaga City to find Coca's restaurant.  We are all getting hungry.  We ate at Coco's and on the way home Teresa stopped so I could get some pictures of rice before it gets all harvested.