One day in Kamakura I see for my first time the bronze Buddha. Kazuko is standing in front of the Buddha her hands held in the same praying position the Christians will do. Her head too is slightly bowed in reverence. Kazuko is Shinto but it can do no harm to honor and pray to many Gods.In the surrounding countryside there are other Gods. One we visit is a tall wooden carving covered with gold. It is the Goddess of Love.

In a secluded Japanese garden is a tiny open building where near the end of our day's journey we sip a special tea from tiny cups. It is a place of significance Kazuko explains. To me it is a quiet place in a forest made wonderful because I am with her. The tea is delicious.

That evening we arrive in Enoshima. On the narrow street entering the village of Enoshima is a pottery shop. Here they make and sell pottery. The pieces on display are beautiful, colorful, delicate. I am told each piece has a built in imperfection as only Gods can make perfect things.

The hotel lobby is large. The floor is made of cross sections of tree trunks fixed in concrete. The wood has been sanded fine, stained and varnished. The concrete between the sections is green.

Our room on the second floor is Japanese style, straw mat floors and rice paper sliding doors. There is a thin mat for sleeping on the floor. The community bath is on the first floor. Meals can be taken in the room and are served on a low table. I will have a cooked fish, rice and fermented cabbage. Kazuko will have her meal of strange things the origin of which I need not have knowledge.

In the quiet of that night I lay close beside her
Whispering to her of my love
She listens quiet breathing sighing singing
And she sings to me of her song.

I sang the song my siren song
That brought you here to me
And you must obey my siren song
And you must be loving me.

In the early morning hand in hand as lovers do we walk the street down to the water's edge where a foot bridge will take is to the Island of Enoshima. To assist in the climb to the top of the island there are wooden paths and stairs. In places there are rocks instead of wood and in others are concrete walks and stairs.

Many years before an English Botanist had planted exotic plants on this island. Here and there are little signs describing the plants and country of origin. Enoshima is an island for lovers. It is here lovers pledge their love to last forever and ever.

There high on a cliff overlooking Sagami Bay we sit Kazuko and I. A hungry dog has joined us. He lay quietly beneath the table. Far below us waves crash onto the rocks white foam and and water sprays high into the air. Among the rocks are what appear to be fossilized sea turtles, two of them waiting forever to return to the sea.

Our meal is served; steaming bowls of rice shaped into perfect Fujiyama cones of white. The diced Conch broth that Kazuko has ordered is served in the shell. Floating in the dark broth are bits of diced Conch and vegetables. Kazuko delicate with her chopsticks raises the rice bowl to her lips and in Japanese fashion begins eating. She has side dishes of mystery foods one of which is a green sauce. Kazuko tells me the green sauce is "too hot for American sailor Eddie san."

I use soy sauce on my rice and sip the delicious conch broth with a spoon. I find my strong young teeth cannot chew the conch so I slip it to the dog waiting patient beneath the table. I notice he does not eat it either.

Kazuko is enjoying her meal. I too am enjoying her meal. I love watching her.

To be continued. Perhaps.

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