CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Tsutenkaku area, Osaka

Japan

November 11, 2006

The bus let them off at a small corner parking lot across from an entrance to Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the Tsutenkaku area of Osaka. It was not the zoo they were going to, but the cross street of the intersection was convenient to meet the family members who were waiting at the Billiken Shrine, which was on the southern end of the street Dee and Ryo had planned to walk along. Kaito, Hitoshi's and Kyoshii's son, had sent Hitoshi a text that they were at the shrine, already knowing the plans for that area from Hitoshi. As they got off the bus, Hitoshi explained that it was only a two block walk to the shrine.

They had hardly left the parking lot when Bikky's eyes went wide as he looked at the street ahead. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "This is awesome! There's more of those fun things hanging off the buildings!"

"It's so colorful," Carol said, also looking around. "Look at all the fun buildings."

The adults laughed at their reaction. "Too bad most of the buildings sell food," Ryo commented.

Dee nodded his head and then laughed as Bikky asked, "What? You mean all of these places have food?" He looked over to Saburo and Yoshio. "Are we going to do another food crawl, or what's the Japanese word again?"

"Kuidaore," Kenny replied. "There are too many good places to eat around here! My parents and I eat out two or three times a week and go somewhere different. We still haven't come close to going to all the good places."

Saburo chuckled and said, "We're going to have lunch, but I think we have too big a crowd to huddle somewhere as we eat our food."

"You'd think with all the tourists that come here, there should be a lot of groups coming through," Dee said. "I saw an ad for a food tour here in the Ashahi Shinbum and a couple of Tokyo papers. You would think there would be places for groups to gather close to the food so they can eat."

"Yeah, what my dad said," Bikky said. "Especially if you can't walk and eat around here."

Hitoshi was looking at Dee and Bikky. "That's exactly what I've been saying for years. Even a small eating park or something. A few tables to sit down and enjoy the food collected going from place to place would make it all much more enjoyable."

"Hell, I'd settle for a patch of grass," Dee said to his uncle. "I don't have a problem sitting in the grass. And since most people of all ages eat their meals sitting on the floor at some point or another, then it shouldn't be a problem to find a patch of grass to park their butts on."

"Some people might not want to get their clothes dirty," Carol pointed out and looked down at her outfit and then at Mami's.

"That's what those rolled or folded bamboo mats are for," Ryo said.

"The ones we use at the beach," Dee added at Carol's confused look.

"Oh! Yeah, those. I guess I was just thinking the beach," Carol said.

"Sand, grass, dirt, it doesn't matter," Bikky said. "Remember we used them for 4th of July a couple of years ago when we sat on the FDR Drive to watch the fireworks."

"We did," Carol said, nodding her head. "Okay. They seem to be everywhere in stores around here, and they aren't expensive."

"I noticed some real nice folding ones that can be folded into a pouch," Ryo said. "I intend to pick up a bunch to take back to New York. They would fit easily in any bag to have just in case."

"A patch of grass would be good, at the least," Hitoshi said. "I still prefer not to have to scramble to my feet when I can avoid it, but yes, if that was the only choice, it's still better to sit and enjoy the food."

Katsuro started laughing. "Kiko and I tend to drop when we have to sit on the floor. Not very proper, I can tell you."

"Plus, it hurts," Kiko added. "Even with a pillow to land on, the floor is still hard." She acted as if she was rubbing her butt while making a face to make her point, which made everyone laugh.

"You're just too American," Dafydd said and laughed. "All these years back in Japan, and you never got the hang of it."

Saburo smacked the back of Dafydd's head. "I know you speak from experience, Dafydd. Or should I show video of when you got back to Japan after college?"

"No Papa!" Dafydd yelped, making a pleading face at his face, causing more laughter.

Dee went over to Dafydd and dropped a friendly arm around his twin's shoulders. "Don't worry, Dafydd. I'm sure we'll still consider you not too American if we see it."

"You suck," Dafydd said to Dee.

"Anytime bro," came Dee's reply.

"Oh Dafydd, you came all the way to Osaka because you missed that with your twin," Momo stated and laughed more.

Dafydd let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I guess it did. I do suck."

Dee hugged him. "Daijoubu, Daffyd."

Dafydd hugged his brother back.

"Now that's sweet," Saburo said. "I don't know how you're going to handle being halfway across the world from each other. I don't know what I'm going to do when it's time for you to go home, Daisuke."

"I don't know what I'm going to do either, Papa. I know I'm going to be missing people a lot. So I expect to see visitors to New York and in return, I'll come to Nagoya."

"And between the visits lots of facetime calls," Dafydd remarked.

"Oh yes, that too. We'll work it out even with the time difference," Dee promised. "Now I understand we have relatives still waiting for us? What are we standing around for?"

"Daisuke makes a good point," said Sakura. She came over to stand next to Dee and hugged his arm. "Let's go."

OoOoOoO

The large group walked the two blocks, with Bikky and Carol seeming to point to every building with interest. Kenny and Mami seemed amused and was very encouraging of the enthusiasm coming from their new cousin and his girlfriend. Tatsuya and Kiyoshi stuck close to Bikky and joined in on the pointing game. Dee wasn't sure if his nephews actually found something interesting, or if they were pointing just to have fun because Bikky was doing it. Bikky was holding Kiyoshi's hand and Carol had Tatsuya's, making sure the young boys didn't run off, as they seemed to do a lot when excited.

Hanoko's oldest daughter, 10-year-old Hironori, was also walking closer to Bikky and Carol, talking to her cousins she knew and asking her new cousins questions about themselves and New York. Ran, Hanako's 7-year-old stuck close to her father, while Hanako had their youngest, 2-year-old Kenshin in a stroller. Hitoshi had Darin and Kyoshii had Ryoko.

Dee noticed that the bright colors of the street, even in daytime, seemed to capture the interest of his twin infants. Their little heads were swirling everywhere, while they babbled. Hitoshi had taken possession of Darin's baby penguin because the infant was waving the arm holding the plushie so much, Hitoshi was worried the penguin would go flying and hit someone. Even worse if they couldn't find it. Dee had to agree with the decision since sometimes he would find himself doing the same, and so did Ryo. At first Darin protested and started to cry a little, but once Hitoshi dangled it in front of Darin's face, playing peek a boo with the toy, Darin was happy again. There were times, he seemed too interested in everything going on around him, he forgot about the toy. Hitoshi quickly learned the signs when he needed to hold out the penguin again. Ryoko would let out a screech at times, making everyone in their group turn to look at her and watch as the baby seemed to have fun being carried by Kyoshii along all the colorful buildings. Every now and then, a relative would come out of nowhere to grab a baby nose, causing more screeches or squeals and laughs.

A block down, Bikky asked, "Does this shrine have a lot of buildings to look at?"

Hitoshi grinned at Bikky. "Not really," he replied. "It's just a meeting place. It is a very famous shrine, but we just figured it would be easier to meet at the shrine instead of one of the many food shops. It is worth seeing."

"Oh okay," Bikky said.

"I don't mind going to shrines and temples," Carol said. "They're all so beautiful. We don't have anything like them. Not even the buildings in Chinatown are like them."

Bikky nodded his head. "I have a collection of photos of shrines and temples, along with castles, and want more. If it's popular, even better, but I don't mind looking at the smaller ones too."

"This is a very small shrine," Kyoshii added, looking amused.

Some of the others, including Dee's fathers, brother and grandmother started to laugh. "When I was younger, I always wondered why Billiken was always written in katakana," Dafydd said. "I mean, he is kami."

"He is an almighty kami that is American," Saburo said and laughed. "And that's exactly how I explained it to Dafydd and all your other siblings when they asked."

"An American kami?" Dee asked, looking shocked. That was news to him. That there was a kami that the Japanese people considered almighty was American seemed unbelievable. He wondered if Ken, Hide and Yuki knew that, and if they did, why was it never mentioned while they were in Osaka, or even why they never went to the shrine.

Ryo nodded his head. "Oh yeah, I remember now. Obaasan told me about him during a trip to Osaka. Some company in the Midwest started to make them and they gained popularity all over the world."

"Yes," Hitoshi agreed. "Especially in Japan. It was made in Chicago and sold as a mascot of happiness and Billiken was dubbed, 'God of Good Fortune'. In the early 1900's, the Japanese made Billiken kami. You can pray to him for everything."

"You will see Billiken all around this area, and even in other parts of Osaka," Sakura said. "His start in Japan was as a kami of good fortune, and many businesses had statues of Billiken." She pointed to a restaurant across from where they walked. "There is Billiken."

"Oh! Yeah, I've seen this guy before," Dee said. "So, an American kami? I'll bet Grandfather doesn't pray to him then."

"Oh Daisuke, he's not that bad," Sakura said, then looked thoughtful. "Maybe he is. I have never seen your grandfather pray to him, and I don't think there are any statues around in the Osaka headquarters of GPN. You may be right, and I think I might have to correct that." She gave Dee an impish grin.

Bikky looked at the ruddy colored seated statue in front of a kushikatsu shop. "He looks funny," Bikky said as Dee snapped a photo. "Look at his face."

Carol started laughing. "That reminds me of when Bikky is up to no good," she said.

"Hey!" Bikky grumped.

"It's true," Ryo remarked, laughing. "Dee, you too. That smirk/smile type look you both get. Can I get a photo of both of you making that face?"

"I don't look like that," Dee complained.

"I haven't seen that look yet on you, Daisuke, but I have seen it on Dafydd," Saburo said. "I'm willing to bet you do have that same look."

"Dafydd does have it," Momo agreed, starting to laugh more.

"Can we do that at the shrine?" Dee asked. Bikky nodded his head in agreement with Dee.

"Fine, but don't think I'm going to forget," Ryo said. "Look, there's a gold statue of Billiken in front of the place next door."

"I also want a photo of Dee and Dafydd," Momo said. "And with Bikky, too."

"I'm going to make a video," Carol remarked as they walked along to the intersection of the next street. "If that's okay with everyone."

Kyoshii smiled at Carol. "We are here so that you, Bikky and Bikky's dads can see things in Osaka. There is never any problem with photos and video."

"Cool. Can I have you in the video for a part then?" Carol asked.

"You sure can, Carol," Hitoshi agreed. "Turn down here," he said indicating to turn left. "It's on the next corner. And I can see Kaito and his family. And there is Billiken again." He pointed to the right at the restaurant on the corner.

"He is everywhere!" Bikky said. "I also like that big fish floating in the middle of the street." Bikky pointed up to indicate the large paper wrapped around wire blue and white fish as part of the restaurant across on the other corner. One each side of the building on the upper floor was a smaller frame like the giant fish that hung and gently swayed with the wind.

Carol started laughing. "Oh, please I have a request for Dee, Ryo and Bikky. And anyone else who wants to join in on the fun," she said. "Especially Dafydd."

Dafydd stuck his tongue out at Carol, making her laugh more. "I know a set-up when I hear it," Dafydd said. His eyes went to the restaurant on the corner with the Billiken statue and chuckled. "I think I know what it is too." He shrugged. "Why not? It's fun."

Carol clapped her hands happily. "Thank you, Dafydd."

"What?" Dee asked. "I smell a set up too, but I have no idea."

Dafydd put his arm around Dee and started to guide him to start walking down the street in the direction Hitoshi indicated toward the waiting family. "You will, Dee. Don't worry."

"Oh!" Bikky exclaimed. "That would be funny."

"What?" Dee asked again, starting to turn to look back, but Dafydd held him in place as they continued to walk toward the shrine.

It didn't help when Ryo let out an exclamation and started to laugh. "Do you think we can get a baby face in there?" Ryo asked.

"Why not?" Yoshio replied. "We did at Nagoya Castle."

"Yes, you're right. I think I want a series of photos with Darin and Ryoko."

"Oh!" Dee exclaimed. "I know what you mean, but I have no idea which one you are all looking at. I'm game. I think I stuck my face in just about everything out there to take a photo back in the day."

"Good. Then we will stop on the way to Tsutenkaku Tower," Sakura said, sounding amused. "I'll also take a photo."

They walked down to the corner and stopped in front of a four-story building. The first floor had a tori and red wooden fence. Inside was a wood altar with Billiken and a cord to ring the shrine's bell for those who wished to pray. Hitoshi's and Kyoshii's son Kaito came over to them with a smile.

He nodded to his fathers and went right up to Dee, holding out his hand in a very American handshake. "You have to be Daisuke!" he exclaimed. "You look just like that dude standing next to you, only you have green eyes." Dee shook hands with his cousin, liking him immediately. Like the others he had already met in Hitoshi's family, it was obvious he lived in San Francisco. His English was accent-free, and he was the first adult Japanese relative he met who actually used the word dude other than his twin.

"I'm so glad for that," Saburo said. "If Daisuke also had dark brown eyes, those two might look exactly alike."

"Oh, you're telling me," Kaito said. "The green eyes make Daisuke look less Japanese, which means if he had dark eyes, it'll be hard to tell them apart. I'm Kaito, by the way and I've been looking forward to meeting you since we heard on Sunday."

"Hi Kaito," Dee said, feeling strange to bypass at least some of the typical Japanese greetings with this very Japanese looking cousin. "I'm glad to meet you." Ryo had come to his side as Dafydd moved away a little. "This is my husband, Ryo. Our son Bikky is there, and it looks like he's getting to know your sons already." Dee chuckled. "And…" he looked around. "Okay, who took my babies?" he asked.

"We still have them, Daisuke," Hitoshi said with a laugh as he came over to them with his husband. "These little darlings are Daisuke's and Ryo's twins, Darin and Ryoko. I tell you, Darin looks just like Daisuke and Dafydd at their age. And I'll bet if you look at baby pictures of Ryo, you'll see some of Ryoko there."

"Ah! Kawaii!" they heard come from the petite Japanese female who came to stand next to Kaito. She wasn't as thin as most Japanese, but every bit as beautiful.

Kaito laughed as he placed an arm around his wife's waist and said, "This is my lovely wife, Kagami."

"Hello," she greeted with a slight bow. "Hajimemaste."

Both Dee and Ryo bowed in return and said, "Hajimemaste."

"Kaito met Kagami here in Osaka, so she is a bit more Japanese than the rest of us," Kyoshii said and smiled at his daughter-in-law. "Someone has to keep us in line before we forget we are Japanese."

"I tolerate them," Kagami remarked with an impish grin. Everyone laughed with her. Kagami's English also sounded like a Japanese person speaking English.

"Kaito, Kagami, some of us call Daisuke Dee, so you may choose which one you like best. Daisuke has been kind enough to allow us to call him both."

"Dee is the name you grew up with in New York, isn't it?" Kaito asked.

"Read Tomoko's FAQ, did you?" Dee teased.

"It is very useful. I know I will ask you some things on it, but the questions will be more about something that I already know," said Kaito.

"I find it very useful in that way too," Dee had to agree. "To be honest, it gets tiresome answering the same basic questions over and over again. I'm glad Tomoko thought of it."

"That's exactly why she sent it out," Yoshio commented. "Nobody likes answering the same thing over and over again."

Bikky and Carol came over, followed by Kaito's and Kagami's three youngest children, minus Dee's nephews who were currently being kept occupied by Sakura and Momo, who stood with Hanoko and Shō and their two youngest. More introductions went around. Kaito had twin sons, Taichi and Takeshi, who were 17 years old, and it was obvious that Kaito had Carried them before it was mentioned, and their youngest was Kazuki, who was 15, another cousin who was Bikky's age. Last to come over was their oldest, Shiori who was 20.

After introducing Carol, Hitoshi stated, "Carol has a YouTube channel and she has been doing videos of her time in Japan to post. She wants to do one at Billiken's shrine before we head off to Tsutenkaku Tower."

"Of course," Kaito said. "Please do."

"When she is done, I would like to pray to Billiken," Saburo said. "I know I did it at the family shrine, but since Daisuke is American, plus Billiken is kami to all, I would like to pray here."

Dee smiled. "You know what? I'll join you, Papa." The smile Saburo gave him was worth saying what he did.

"Thank you, Daisuke. I would like that very much," Saburo said.

They allowed Bikky and Carol to do the video. Carol pulled in Hitoshi and Kyoshii, then Kaito, who was happy to join in. Kaito explained how to make a wish by stroking the soles of Billiken's big feet. The statue was in a sitting position with his short legs straight out and feet up with soles outward. Everyone took a turn at stroking the bottom of a foot, making a wish while Carol and Bikky took turns getting it on video. Then Carol had Dee and Dafydd stand next to the statue and make the same smirk/smile that was on Billiken's face and had Bikky join them after a few seconds. When she was done with the video, it was family photo time, including a photo of Dee, holding Darin and Ryo, holding Ryoko, on each side of the side with Bikky kneeling in front of the statue. Saburo got photos of Dee and Dafydd with Sakura, and then Yoshio took the camera to take a photo of Saburo joining them. Everyone was having a great time as more family combinations came together by the statue for photos.

Once photos were done, Dee went back to the statue with Saburo, this time using proper etiquette when entering a shrine and to prayer. When they were done, Ryo went up with Dee's grandmother. And apparently there were others deciding to prayer before they left the shrine. One more photo, this one a group shot of everyone taken by someone passing by.

As the large group was done and started to walk up the street, back to the intersection, ahead of them loomed the Tsutenkaku Tower. Dee also saw the Billiken statue that was on the corner and a few feet from it along the building on the side of the street they were walking up was one of the cut-outs that were all over Japan with an open hole where the face should be. It had to be what Carol wanted photos by. This one was a sumo wrestler. Dee remembered when they were at Nagoya Castle and pictures were taken with a cut-out that had a man and a woman in old-style kimono, and then one of a samurai with the castle painted as in the background and on the bottom said Nagoya Castle and the current date in Japanese. Besides the painting of the castle, if taken from the right position, the photo had the actual castle tower in the background. It was one of those fun things for tourists to do while sightseeing, both for Japanese and non-Japanese. Dee was game with the sumo.

They stopped so photos could be taken of Dee, Ryo, Bikky and even poor Carol. Like at Nagoya Castle, they managed to get first Darin's face in the hole just close enough to take a photo and then it was Ryoko's turn. Dafydd and Momo took turns next, then Saburo and Yoshio. Finally, Sakura decided she wanted a photo and went behind the cut-out.

Kaito said the family living in Osaka had many photos with that cut-out and he offered to send some to Dee in the near future, which Dee gladly accepted the offer and thanked his cousin. And then he invited his cousins to stand next to the cut-out while he had his face the hole first, then had Bikky and Ryo take their turns. Last Carol had her face in the hole while the women stood around the cut-out.

As they walked down the street, they encountered several more statues of Billiken. One of them, Billiken was in a clown suit along with a pointed hat. Bikky found it amusing. Kaito told Bikky about Kuidaore Taro, who was a famous clown statue that stood in front of a restaurant in Dotonbori. The owner of the restaurant would sometimes have the clown dressed in clothes reflecting various events, like baseball uniforms when the popular team in Osaka was winning the Japanese version of the World Series and was even in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform when Hideo Nomo was the Dodgers MVP. At some point, the restaurant owners with Billiken statues in front would also start dressing up the statue. The one they saw was in a clown suit for Kuidaore Taro.

Bikky and Carol were having fun looking at all the large wire and paper figures hanging along the walls of restaurants or jutting out into the street. One restaurant had a funny looking man holding a kushikatsu, another had a wooden crane and turtle on the building, and another looked like the bow of a ship. While Bikky and Carol took photos, Ryo took charge of the camcorder and started to take videos of not only the interesting things displayed on restaurant buildings, but of Bikky's and Carol's reactions. Ryo also decided to get various family members in the video at random times.

As they reached the next intersection, Bikky let out a groan.

"What's wrong, Biks?" Ryo asked.

"All these stores are all food!" he exclaimed. "And it smells good here. I'm getting hungry."

Ryo looked over at Dee, who looked at his uncles and fathers. "Do we know what we are going to do about lunch since we're too big a crowd to find somewhere to stand and eat, and most of these places look too small for an invasion the size of our group?" Dee asked.

Hitoshi nodded and replied, "Yes. The next street. We have a reservation for the roof. It's a nice day, and there is also a nice view of Tsutenkaku Tower while we eat."

"What type of food?" Dee asked.

"A little of everything. They make great kushikatsu but has other Osaka specialty dishes. They even have gyu-sushi using Kobe beef," Kyoshii replied. "We thought it best to have something for everyone, since we weren't sure what everyone liked, especially Bikky and Carol."

Ryo chuckled. "So far we haven't encountered too much that they won't dare try, and a short list of what they won't eat again."

"You like Japanese food, Bikky?" Kagami asked.

"Yes. Very much. I knew I did before we came to Japan, but there is so much I didn't have until we got to Japan. And then there was new food in Nagoya, and now here in Osaka." Bikky looked at Dee and Ryo. "Is that how it's going to be with the other cities?"

Dee laughed. "Yup. Every city has its famous food. Hiroshima has its own okonomiyaki, which we saw last night. Even if we have some here, it still won't be the same as in Hiroshima. And then the tonkatsu ramen in Fukouka. That's where tonkatsu ramen originated."

"Better than what I had already?" Bikky asked.

"Much better," Dee assured him.

"Oh look, more gacha machines!" Carol pointed out.

"Can we get something?" Bikky asked his fathers. "Please?"

"Do we need to get you more 100 yen coins?" Ryo asked.

"I still have enough for a few more," Bikky replied.

"I do too," Carol answered.

As they walked over to the capsule station with 10 different gashapon machines, Saburo was taking out 100 yen coins and gave a handful to Bikky. "Here, you and Carol get what you can with this. If you have any left, save them for the next capsule station."

"I have some too," Sakura said, also handing Bikky coins she took from her purse.

"You don't have to, Papa and Obāsan," Dee said.

"No, we don't, but we want to," Sakura said. "Don't worry, Daisuke, and let me spoil my great-grandson."

Dee held his hands up in surrender, making Ryo and Dafydd laugh.

Bikky and Carol quickly figured out which machines they wanted to put money in and not long after, Carol placed the plastic capsules in her small canvas bag she started to take with her whenever they were out in Japan, while Ryo tucked Bikky's plastic capsules in the baby bag. The two could look at what they got while they ate.

The restaurant was a few buildings down, near the corner. At that intersection was the approach to Tsutenkaku Tower. It was a steel structure much like Tokyo and Nagoya Towers.

As they sat on the roof party room, Hitoshi and Kyoshii told them about how this was the second tower in that location. Bikky asked if the original was destroyed because of the war, and Hitoshi said the fire was in 1943, before bombing raids on Japan. The original tower, unlike Tokyo and Nagoya towers, was connected to an amusement park, which was the main attraction along with the tower in that section of Osaka in the early 1900's. People were able to go from the tower to the park in a cable car. The tower now standing was built after the war because locals wanted their beloved tower back. Hitoshi noted that the first Tsutenkaku Tower was build long before the towers in Nagoya and Tokyo, and also unlike them was not built as radio towers. Saburo added that while Tokyo Tower was the most known outside Japan, it was Nagoya TV Tower that was the first radio tower built in Japan.

Hitoshi laughed at his nephew, knowing Saburo's Nagoya pride ran deep. Looking at the family from New York, he said, "Luna Park was the second Luna Park in Japan. They were built by the same company, which was a famous movie company at the time. The original was in Asakusa."

"In Tokyo?" Bikky asked, interested. "Was it part of the park that's there now?"

"No. It was a different park," Hitoshi replied. "It was also fashioned after Luna Park, which was one of the older amusement parks at Coney Island in Brooklyn."

"Really? That's cool," Bikky explained. "I've seen pictures of that Luna Park on old postcards that Pops has."

The menu at that restaurant did indeed have everything not only popular in Osaka, but from other areas of Japan. As usual with Japanese, the family ordered a variety of dishes, including okonomiyaki and takoyaki and yakisoba, to be shared. Everyone was also to get one gyu-sushi and then Bikky and Carol were asked to pick which kushikatsu they wanted that they didn't try yet, which was added to the order along with several of the 15 piece kushikatsu platters. While they waited for their food, bowls of rice and miso soup was bought out for everyone.

Along with talking, the group looked at the prizes Bikky and Carol got inside the gacha capsules and the photos that were taken at Billiken Shrine. Phone numbers and emails were exchanged so Dee, Ryo and Bikky were able to keep in touch with Dee's family in Osaka.

After lunch, they all went up to the observation deck on the 5th floor of Tsutenkaku Tower.

OoOoOoO

From Tsutenkaku, they started walking along a street going northeast for a couple of blocks. The first block was a long one broken up only by a couple of alleys too narrow for vehicles. Only foot and bike traffic went down those alleys, which were lined by a row of buildings on each side, many of them restaurants or other small local businesses with some small homes. Comparing to the area they had come from, the street they walked along was unassuming, mostly residential and local business. The street ended at a wide four lane two-way street near an intersection. They walked under the Hanshin Expressway and along the northern border of the Tennoji Zoo. As they walked along the stone wall of the zoo, they were able to see the rooftops of the Japanese style buildings from the zoo, some of them with gold peaks. Bikky and Carol commented on how even the zoos had Japanese style buildings. They continued past the zoo for a few more blocks until the wide street they were walking along forked. The wide street continued veering to the right. As they approached where the street split, to the left was a smaller road closed to traffic with a large stone torii. Beyond the torii, the red and white gate to Shitennoji was visible. Behind the red gate building were the upper levels of a pagoda.

"This is the oldest temple in Japan," Kyoshii stated as they walked past the stone tori. "It is said that this is the first Buddhist temple in Japan. Of course, there aren't any of the original buildings anymore, but some of the buildings that were rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries survived World War Two bombings and are still very old. The ones that were rebuilt were done in the exact way of the original buildings."

"You will see some of the older style buildings like we did in Kyoto," Saburo said to Bikky and Carol.

"Like the castle?" Carol asked.

"Yes, like the castle," Saburo said.

"That gate there looks a lot like the one in Asakusa," Bikky observed.

"Many do," Ryo said. "It's typical for temples, but you should realize by now that it might look the same from here but when we get closer, you'll see designs and markings that make this one unique. They all are unique. Remember Obāsan showing some differences?"

"I remember." Bikky grinned at Ryo. "I was just saying it looks a lot like the one in Asakusa, but I know it's not. This one doesn't have that giant paper lantern like the gate at Asakusa."

Ryo opened his mouth to say something but then snapped it closed. He turned to Dee. "And don't think about laughing."

Dee nodded his head, desperately trying not to laugh. From close by they heard a snort and turned in the direction to find first Saburo, and then Yoshio, start to laugh. Dafydd also was laughing.

"Do you know how many times I had to deal with that with my children?" Saburo asked. Pointing to Dafydd, he added, "Especially from this one. Which is why he is laughing, I'm sure."

Dafydd nodded his head. "I had this strange sense of déjà vu with me in Bikky's place." He started to laugh as he went over to Bikky and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"And not just Saburo and Yoshio," Sakura said. "Dafydd did that to me and my husband more than a few times. Jirou was another one."

Dee couldn't help but laugh more but he took Ryo's hand. "I heard a lot worse from Bikky over the years, and you know that. Some funny." He shrugged. "And some not so much. It reminds me of how far we've come since you took him home that first night." Dee smiled at Ryo.

Ryo returned the smile. "I guess you're right. And yeah, it's not the worse I heard him say to me either."

"It's the curse of being a father, or grandparents," Saburo said knowingly and gave Dee and Ryo a small smile. Then looking at Dafydd, who was still laughing said, "Just wait the day it is your turn, Dafydd. And knowing your sons, it won't be that far off in the future."

Now it was Bikky's turn to laugh as he looked at his little nephews who were with Momo and laughing too, most likely because everyone was. Their understanding of English was limited, but Dafydd, Momo and Saburo promised that will change. They were young enough to catch on early. Dafydd admitted it was their grandfather's doing that they weren't exposed to more English, however Saburo liked to speak to them at times in English. Saburo and Yoshio decided they were going to start speaking to the boys in English more frequently.

Dee joined in with the laughter. Yeah, those two little ones already had some interesting things to say in the short time Dee spent around them. It was only a matter of time. Especially if they now had Bikky as a cousin, and both boys seemed to look up to him. Poor Dafydd, Dee thought amused, knowing his twin was already in for interesting times with his sons before Bikky got in the mix.

"Do you know the name of this gate, Bikky?" Hitoshi asked. When Bikky shook his head, he said, "Gokurakumon."

"I'm confused about something," Bikky said.

"What's that, Biks?" Ryo asked.

"If this is a temple and this is one of those gate things temples have, then why does it have a torii too? Are there shrines here also?"

"Good question, Biks," Dee said. "Now that you mention it, I want to know too." He looked over to his uncles. He had never been to this temple before. Hell, he didn't realize that the first temple built in Japan was in Osaka, so when Kyoshii mentioned it being about a 15-minute walk from Tsutenkaku Tower, the decision was given to Dee, Ryo, Bikky and Carol, who all quickly agreed that they would be interested in going.

Ryo and Carol were also waiting for an answer, and to Dee's surprise, so were Dafydd and Momo. Sakura was smiling as she looked at her brother-in-laws.

"That is because at the time the temple was built, being the first of its kind in Japan, there was no division between shrine and temple," Hitoshii replied. "Also, torii did not originate in Japan. I don't know the history, but I do know they came from India. If you want the full history, I'm sure my brother Takahiro knows and will gladly give you the history. What I did know is that at the time this temple was built, torii was part of the gate system and not exclusive to shrines yet. So, we have a stone tori that you notice has no room to walk around and there is no choice but the walk through it."

"Meanwhile at most shrines you should walk around it," Bikky stated.

"Exactly," Sakura said with a smile. "There are exceptions."

"Like the torii at Hinotsuke Shrine," Carol commented as Bikky nodded.

"There's also the trail of torii at that shrine we went to in Kyoto," Bikky added.

Ryo leaned close to Dee as the group started toward Gokurakumon and with a smile said, "It really seems like Bikky is learning something on this trip. I don't know how much it'll help him with his subjects at school, but at least we know he can absorb like a sponge."

"When it interests him," Dee added. "Which means we need to find a way to make the other subjects interesting. What does worry me is he seems to know a lot about shrines and temples." With a wicked grin, he said, "He might follow after you in religion after all."

Ryo laughed. "Probably not, but if he does, at least it will be his decision." Ryo nudged his elbow into Dee's arm. "I wouldn't worry, Dee. You know a lot about shrines and temples yourself even before we left New York. And yet you're still Catholic."

"Yeah, I know," Dee agreed.

"But since we're on the topic, I thought it was very nice of you to offer to pray with your father at the Billiken shrine."

Dee chuckled. "You mean praying to a funny looking statue that looks like a cross between a Japanese garden gnome and a kewpie doll with big feet?" He shrugged. "Yeah. I can pray however I want since it's silent, and I don't mind going through the ritual before and after praying. I just thought if Billiken is for happiness and good fortune, then why not ask for a couple of extra blessings with my family, especially since it's still all new."

"Good idea," Ryo agreed. "It made your grandmother very happy, even if she admitted she knew exactly how you were praying in your head. It still made her happy that you did that with your father."

"I'm glad. Actually, I'm glad that she decided to join Dafydd and Momo to come here today. Not that I'm getting tired of having my fathers around. It's just nice to be able to spend more time with her, too. And yes, I was missing having Dafydd around, so I'm glad he's around for another day."

On the walk over to the temple, Hitoshi and some of his family who had visited the temple several times told them what was on the temple grounds, and to think about what they wanted to see. Kyoshii admitted it could take a full day to go into all the buildings and see everything and they only had a limited time there unless Dee and Ryo decided to skip Namba. Dee and Ryo agreed that seeing the temple because of its history was a great idea but they also wanted to go to Namba. They had plans that they already had cleared with Saburo and Yoshio. Besides when they left Osaka for Hiroshima, Dee and Ryo were hoping that Bikky and Carol had seen as much of Osaka as possible. There would still be a lot more to see on a return trip, and maybe even be able to spend more time at favorite areas. This would not be their last time to Osaka, Dee was certain of it. Especially since he had such an entertaining and interesting branch of the family living there. As much as they knew about the city that they called home, Hitoshi and Kyoshii, along with their children's families came across more like Americans living in Japan. In Chiasa's husband's case and Katsuro's wife's, it was definitely true.

Bikky and Carol were very interested in seeing another pagoda, so it was decided they would pay the admission into the compound called Chushin Garan and go up in the pagoda. It was directly in front of them as they entered the gate to the temple grounds, and it was only 300 yen. They also looked at the other buildings before going over to the Ishibutai, which was a stone bridge also called "Paradise Bridge" that crossed over a turtle pond. The pond looked more like a rectangular swimming pool, but they did see turtles as they crossed over the bridge to Rokujiraisando Hall, a gorgeous brown wood building.

Their last destination at the temple was the Gokurakujodo Garden, tucked in the northeast corner of the temple complex. It was a beautiful Japanese Zen garden with ponds and streams, lush with trees, including cherry trees and stone statues. It also cost 300 yen to enter, but no one was complaining.

By the time they left through the east gate, their bus was already waiting. The driver assured Saburo that he was not waiting long. He was getting something to eat when he received Saburo's text when Saburo gave him an estimate on when they would be leaving and where to meet them.

It was goodbye for most of the group until they met for dinner. The group split up at the Kiyujima Bentendo, a stone bridge which went over a small pond to a tiny island. It was a perfect place for last photos for that particular group that day.

Other than Hitoshi and Kyoshii, the only other members of their family who went on the bus were Mami and Kenny, who were to stay with them until after dinner.

At Namba, there were no new relatives to meet, as the rest of the family Dee did not meet would be at the Hanging Garden at the Umeda Sky building. The main reason for this stop was shopping. Most of Namba was new buildings, including some skyscrapers. Tucked in between were a few old narrow streets, mostly lined with restaurants. The bus pulled over along a wide two-way street and let everyone off before pulling out again.

"This almost looks like Akihabara," Carol said as the group tucked against a building to get out of the flow of pedestrians.

"Okay, here's the deal," Dee said. "Yes, it does remind me of Akihabara, but not just in looks. This is Osaka's version of Akihabara. You'll find electronics stores, theme cafes, anime and manga stores and gaming centers all along this block, and the next few. Biks, you and Carol are going with my dads. They insist on still getting you some gifts, and we thought this is the best place for it. Mami and Kenny are welcome to join you."

"I think I would love to be part of that shopping trip," Sakura said. "If you do not mind."

"You are welcome to join us, Haha," Saburo said to his mother with a smile.

"Yeah, Grandma, I would love having you with us," Bikky assured her.

"Great. Ryo and I will join Uncle Hitoshi and Uncle Kyoshii and Dafydd and Momo," Dee said.

"We get all the children," Saburo said, "so hand over the akachans."

Dee chuckled and shook his head. "I should have known. Fine, you may have our twins too. Just give them back at some point today."

"Tonight," Saburo said. "In our suite."

Dee laughed. "Fair enough."

"Are you going shopping too?" Carol asked Dee and Ryo.

"We sure are, Princess. Yeah, I know we can do this in Tokyo, and we probably will, and in Nagoya, but we're now having fun shopping in Osaka. We have an hour and a half to meet the bus here," Dee said.

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