Shrines and Sake Shelves

We've covered a lot of ground in the past few days.

We saw every temple Eastern Kyoto had to offer, one of which (Kiyomizudera) is nominated to be a "New Wonder of the World" - apparently, you can cast your own vote at http://www.n7w.com. After a few hours of gazing at mult-stpried, multi-tiered, dark-wooded temples with ornate cyprus roofs and and garish Buddhist shrines inside, you start sheepishly accepting everything you see, and find it hard to discriminate among similar sights. It's like looking at massive gemstones or royal treasures:

"Wow, that one's even grander than the last."
"Yeah, and the placard here says it was named a national treasure a century ago."

Then, you try to absorb as much of the culture and craftsmanship as you can in the little time you have, but it's unrealistic to fully grasp the opus of multiple master craftsmen/landscapers lives' work.

"Well, should we check out the next one?"
"Yeah, I think so."

We also gazed upon several hundred teacups, teapots, and sake sets for sale in Kyoto, your Japanese ceramics headquarters. After we resolved to purchase a sake set for ourselves, I (Scott) began to pay more attention. Since we're on vacation and our lives are relatively stress-free (our only daily tribulation is figuring out whether we're chewing on octopus or tofu- and more often than not, it's octopus), figuring out which sake set to purchase became a concern. Nay - an adventure.

Scott: Babe, look at this one.
Sara: Well, that one doesn't have a little signature on the bottom.
Scott: Oh, hmm - you're right. Well, I'll be damned if I'm going to drink rice-wine out of a machine-made or sub-par vessel!
Sara: Ditto.

In the end, we purchased a teapot that technically shouldn't be used for heating and serving sake, but we still think it's pretty wicked cool. Plus, if you're knowledgeable and audacious enough to mention that technicality as we're serving you sake, you'll be politely escorted from our domicile shortly after sustaining third-degree burns from scalding hot rice wine. Hot damn.

P.S. - We caved in and dined at an Indian establishment. Don't judge.