Vol 2 Chapter 5 Part 4

We left Suzumushi Temple and got in the car again. This time we headed for the Arashiyama district.

Holmes parked in a large (but mostly full) parking lot, and we strolled down the street, looking at the rows of gift shops.

“This is nostalgic,” I said. “I came here on a middle school trip before.” It was a fun and mysterious place.

“It’s nostalgic for me as well,” Holmes replied. “When I see the Togetsu bridge, it reminds me of my jusan mairi.”

Akihito chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, I remember my jusan mairi too. I want to turn around now.”

“As much as I hate to agree with you, I feel the same way. I also want to turn around.”

“Umm, what’s a jusan mairi?” I tilted my head.

“Huh?” Akihito stopped in his tracks. “Aoi, you didn’t have a jusan mairi?”

“Akihito, the jusan mairi is predominantly a Kansai tradition, so there are many people in other regions who don’t know about it.”

“H-Huuuh?” Akihito was blatantly shocked. “They don’t? I had no idea… It feels the same as Shichi-Go-San to me.” This one I do know—it’s a traditional rite of passage held in November for three- and seven-year-old girls and five-year-old boys. Anyway, if it were anyone but Akihito saying that, I might’ve felt offended.

“Jusan mairi is similar in concept to Shichi-Go-San. It’s a tradition where, on your thirteenth birthday in the traditional age system, you visit a temple or shrine to be blessed with wisdom. Across the Togetsu bridge, there’s a famous temple for jusan mairi called Horin-ji Temple. Legend says that after leaving the temple, if you look back, you’ll be forced to return the wisdom you just gained. So, you have to keep walking forward without turning back until you’ve crossed the Togetsu bridge.”

As usual, Holmes’s explanation was easy to understand.

“When I did mine,” Holmes continued, “my grandfather kept saying things behind me, trying to get me to turn around. Thanks to him, I have the resolve to not look back no matter what.” He slumped his shoulders.

Following behind Holmes, who continued to walk without turning around, I imagined the owner taunting him and couldn’t help but giggle.

So, we crossed the Togetsu bridge. A wide river flowed beneath it, and there was fall foliage on both sides. The vividly colored mountains were very beautiful. I could also see a lot of middle and high school students wearing their uniforms. They were probably here on field trips.

The gift shops, the river and bridge, and the natural beauty—it was a truly wonderful place. Come to think of it, when I came to Kyoto on a field trip in middle school, we went to a bunch of places, but I can only really remember Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama. It’s amazing that I can remember Arashiyama so well when it doesn’t have a huge temple or anything. Is it because it’s always wrapped in a fun, festive mood?

“Come to think of it, we did the Hozu River boat ride on my field trip. That was memorable too,” I said.

Holmes and Akihito paused.

“Come to think of it, I’ve never done the Hozu River boat ride,” Holmes said.

“Me neither,” Akihito replied. They both sounded like they’d only just realized this now.

“You live in Kyoto, but you’ve never been on that wonderful boat ride? What a waste!” I teased.

“Oh man, she’s fighting back!”

“In that case, let’s go together next time,” Holmes said with a smile. “Please be our guide.”

I was at a loss for words. “N-No, I couldn’t…” I stuttered, bewildered.

Akihito burst out laughing. “Yeah, Holmes doesn’t need anyone’s guidance!”

“This is also wicked in a way,” I complained.

“No, this is a normal conversation,” Holmes replied.

The three of us laughed as we walked to Tenryu-ji Temple.