"A temple?", Ash complained while a frown emerged on his forehead, looking at Eiji suspiciously.
They had just gotten off at the bus station next to the railway station. The main road led them directly to the temple. Since today was supposed to be a perfectly sunny day, Eiji had dragged a really grumpy Ash out of bed early to go sight-seeing with him. Ash wasn't in the best mood, of course, still practically asleep while standing, looking slowly around.
"Why? You know I don't believe in stuff like that… And it's so damn early…", he whined, stifling a yawn.
Eiji rolled his eyes at him before his golden-brown eyes burnt with determination.
"But I do believe in it! Listen, grumpy cat, this temple is the reason we've met in New York in the first place. So it will always be special to me. And it should be to you as well.", he told him, knowing perfectly well that his words would surprise Ash and arouse his curiosity. He smiled knowingly when Ash's eyes suddenly lit up with interest while looking at him.
"What do you mean?"
Eiji smirked at him in smug self-satisfaction. "You remember the lucky charm my sister gave me before coming to New York?"
"Ash nodded. "The one that was supposed to mean safety? That you showed me on the roof?"
"Yes, that one. It's from this very temple. Although that airhead got me one that said Good marriage.", Eiji still complained.
"A safety charm would have been a better choice… Maybe then you wouldn't have been hurt.", Ash said in a low voice, glancing sideways as if speaking to himself.
"Ash…"
"But", Ash added, meeting his gaze again when hearing Eiji's serious tone, "knowing your sister, she probably did it on purpose because she wanted you to be happy."
Eiji's face relaxed instantly, his eyes glowing softly in the sunlight.
"Yeah, you're right. And, as you can see, the charm has worked. I've found you after all. And I'm convinced that we'd never have met otherwise. So it turned out well in the end. The charm has brought us together! That wasn't a coincidence. It was fate, Ash!", Eiji insisted, his brown eyes boring into Ash's.
"I don't believe in – Never mind. You'll never change, always a hopeless romantic.", Ash smirked at him. "But if that's really the case, I'm glad Hana gave you that charm. Because meeting you was the best thing ever happening to me."
"I feel the same, Ash. Let's go, ok?" Eiji smiled at him and took his hand.
They walked along the main road and looked at the buildings and shops and crossed an intersection. When Ash wanted to keep walking, Eiji stopped him, motioning at the torii gate in front of them.
"That's the first gate. It's the entrance for the Gods. Since you're just a lowly human, you have to bow before entering. Like all the people around us. Ash slowly looked around, watching all the other people entering for a while.
"Whatever...", he grumbled while nearing the gate. Eiji smiled anyway and teasingly pushed his head down.
"Stop that, Eiji!", Ash complained, glaring at him while getting up again.
"It was my apology to the Gods for bringing such a smartass that questions all their traditions to the temple.", Eiji grinned.
After that, they walked along the main road and Eiji explained some of the food and local art and crafts to him.
"What's with all the soba shops here? Is that typical food around here?", Ash asked, slowly waking up when smelling all the different dishes and snacks that were being prepared here.
"Yes, soba is made from buckwheat, but in this region, we're not only using the flour, but also the outer shells of the grain, so the noodles in this region have a darker color and a stronger flavor. We can try some on the way back. The shops aren't open yet."
Ash nodded and looked around some more. He looked at a local arts and craft store. "What are those?", motioning to some cranes with some symbols on them that were on display behind a window.
"Those are kites with the Chinese characters for "crane" or "tortoise" on them. They're good luck charms you can only find here at the temple. Cranes and tortoises are considered lucky creatures in Japan.", Eiji explained to him.
"And what about those things looking like commas?", he asked him curiously while pointing at another shop's window.
"Those are called Magatama.", Eiji explained.
"Maga –", Ash tried to mimic him, but gave up in frustration, his eyes darkening slightly. Ash wasn't used to fail at something with his superior intelligence. However, he still had a hard time pronouncing all the vowels in Japanese. If he had trouble pronouncing something, he always got that little frown between his eyes and his eyes tightened and the green color dimmed a bit.
"You look so cute when you're frustrated.", Eiji grinned at him. "Ma-ga-ta-ma. As you can see their comma-shaped beads. Maga means curved or bent and tama means precious stone or gem. They are a source of spiritual power and good fortune. You can see more of them on the way to the temple."
When they neared the second gate, Ash looked up curiously, staring at the gate more closely.
"Are the gates all made of a different material?", he asked while he inspected the gate.
"Finally, my genius boyfriend is waking up.", Eiji teased him, looking at his still sleepy eyes in amusement.
"Stop that crap, Eiji!, Ash complained while a faint trace of red spread across his cheeks. Eiji smirked, enjoying himself immensely. He moved slowly closer, looking directly into his eyes. Until their foreheads were nearly touching.
"The genius or the boyfriend part?", Eiji asked playfully.
"Both!", Ash replied a bit too harshly, his eyes burning intensely in the sunlight. Still, Ash couldn't hide the smile that spread across his face. He put an arm around Eiji's shoulder, a seductive smile on his face while he slowly moved closer and closer, making Eiji blush in return.
"Payback time! So, will my cute Japanese boyfriend educate me? Or will I have to take out my guide book that I promised him not to read so he can explain everything to me himself?"
"You've still read it. I knew it! Although I've told you not to. Damn book worm!", Eiji complained but his sparkling brown eyes betrayed him.
"No, I haven't. I've promised you not to after all.", Ash answered honestly. "But you haven't told me I couldn't take the book with me. Just in case. So educate me, Okumura-sensei." Ash gave him that wicked smile he usually got when teasing Eiji. The one Eiji hated but still couldn't resist anyway. Ash's eyes always got that naughty glint he was defenseless against…
"Damn smartass…", Eiji growled, snatching the book out of his hand and stuffing it into his own backpack.
"So pay close attention, my ignorant American. There are 4 different gates. The first is made out of stone, the second out of wood, the third out of metal and the fourth out of bronze. The reason for that is unclear. The most popular theory is that they represent nature's blessings."
They bowed again before entering the second gate. From here on they entered the inner grounds of the temple and on the left and right sides they were surrounded by nature, grass, trees and even a little creek.
"There is a little slope going down to Izumo Taisha. Most shrines in Japan are accessed by climbing, but Izumo Taisha is unique in Japan because you have to descend to reach it.", Eiji explained to him proudly. Ash nodded, looking around the area for a while.
"It's really beautiful here. And so quiet."
"It's only so quiet because we came here early. It's the weekend after all. It will be crowded in a few hours. So –"
"So you dragged me out of bed early because you know I still feel uncomfortable in huge crowds.", Ash finished for him, looking at him for confirmation. Eiji returned his gaze, smiling knowingly.
"Your smart mind is finally working again. But I also did it because it takes forever to wander around the temple grounds with thousands of other people around."
"Thank you, Eiji.", Ash said, giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. Eiji's eyes lit up as he beamed at him. Ash rarely initiated a kiss, even if it was a quick peck on the cheek. That's why Ash's kisses were so special to him.
On the way to the main location, Ash motioned to the right. There stood a little shrine made out of wood. It looked like a little house with a red roof. It was a bit elevated and some stairs were leading to the little shrine. The little shrine was surrounded by a little wooden fence and next to it stood a little sign explaining the meaning of the shrine to visitors. Meanwhile, the sun was hiding behind some clouds at the moment and Eiji shivered slightly, pulling his open jacket more tightly around himself.
However, his momentary shivering had more to do with the shrine and what he was about to explain to Ash than with the weather itself. Eiji was used to weather changes from sunny and warm to windy and fresh within minutes. He had grown up here after all.
Eiji stopped walking. Now came the hard part. It was practically the reason why he hadn't come here with Ash before...
"Eiji? What's wrong?", Ash stood in front of him, scrutinizing his face carefully. "You have that little frown between your eyes that you always get when you know that I won't like what you're going to tell me."
Eiji stared at him in surprise. Ash had never been good at reading his facial expressions, even though he had an open face that wasn't hiding anything. Still, since coming to Japan, he had slowly learned to read small details on his face. Like a frown on his forehead or narrowing eyebrows. When he scrunched up his face or scratched his nose. Eiji loved that he knew him so well, but sometimes it still caught him off guard. Eiji sighed dramatically before telling him.
"That's Harae no Yashiro, a shrine of purification. This is the place to purify your soul and body from sins and evil, to cleanse your spirit before proceeding further. The God who purifies the body and soul of the worshippers is enshrined here, Eiji explained, watching Ash's expression carefully, knowing perfectly well that Ash wouldn't like that.
"I'm leaving!", Ash abruptly said, glaring angrily at him, his eyes overshadowed by a mixture of sadness and self-loathing. He abruptly let go of his hand and walked stubbornly away, back the way they had come. Eiji took a deep breath. He had known all along that this part wouldn't be easy...
Ash had finally accepted that he deserved a better life, yet deep inside he still thought that he was a bad person and that is soul was unclean and tainted by all the blood he had shed. By all the people he had killed. Eiji ran after him, gripping his wrist.
"Ash, don't be like that. You have a beautiful soul. I can see it clearly in your eyes.", Eiji said, smiling up at him. Ash stubbornly avoided his gaze, eyes downcast to the ground. It was still early morning, so luckily there were no other people walking by and they had the place for themselves.
"It's impossible to purify my soul, Eiji! I've committed too many crimes for that.", Ash insisted, letting his shoulders droop while more blonde strands were falling into his face, covering up his pained expression. Eiji let go of his wrist and removed some strands out of his face. His green eyes had darkened and were reflecting Ash's inner turmoil.
"That's not true, Ash. I can see your pure soul every day.", Eiji assured him softly.
"That's impossible.", Ash replied stubbornly, crossing his arms. Even so, he didn't look away from him again and relaxed a bit when Eiji took his hand into his again.
"So you tell me I'm lying?", Eiji asked, raising his eyebrows at him.
"No!", Ash immediately said. "But –"
"You know the saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul?" Ash reluctantly nodded.
"That's from Shakespeare. King Richard III: Act V scene III.", Ash, the hopeless book worm automatically said, hiding behind the safety of literature and knowledge in a situation like that. Eiji grinned despite himself. Of course, Ash would know that.
"You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. When you're standing here and the sun breaks through the clouds, they shine like emeralds. So your soul is as beautiful. Besides, you regret the things you've done. That alone makes you a good person.", Eiji clarified, ruffling his messy blonde hair that had turned golden in the sunlight. Ash smiled at him sadly but didn't say anything.
"Come on. Let's give it a try.", he told him, dragging him along.
When he looked back at him, Eiji could see Ash wasn't fully convinced yet, but at least he let Eiji lead him to the shrine again.
At the moment when they were standing in front of it, a ray of sunlight hit the shrine, making it glow brightly.
Eiji put an arm around his shoulder. "See? The Gods forgave you. That was a sign."
A frown crossed Ash's forehead and Eiji was already waiting for his stubborn reply that believing in such things was stupid and naive. But then Ash's face softened again and a half-smile appeared on his lips.
"Maybe… Is it stupid that I want to believe in that?"
Eiji smiled and leaned his head on his shoulder. "No, it's never stupid to believe in a better future, Ash. That's the other reason why I've brought you here. It's said that Okuninushi, the God of good relationships and marriage is enshrined here. People pray to her for love and happiness, but also for good luck. I wanted to pray here together with you. For our happiness. But if you think it's stupid, you don't have to…"
Hearing Eiji's sad voice, Ash wanted to punch himself. Here he was standing like a pouting three-year-old while Eiji just wanted them both to be happy. All Eiji asked was that he prayed here with him. That wasn't too much to ask for. After all, he had done for him all these past months, it was the least he could do… And he could hear in Eiji's voice how much it meant to him…
"Eiji, I'm sorry for making things so hard for you. Thanks for showing me this temple. You've probably been waiting to show me this place that holds a special meaning for you for a long time… And I've behaved like a spoilt brat towards you.", he apologized honestly. Then he leaned his head against Eiji's.
"Of course, I'll pray with you if this temple is so important to you. Maybe I can ask for a job. Apart from happiness, I mean..."
"You really mean it?", Eiji beamed at him, his eyes lighting up instantly.
"Yes, I do. And then I'll buy you a safety charm."
"Ash…"
"I won't budge on that. You have a talent to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. With your poor sense of orientation, you'll eventually end up in some dark alley or something. You're a walking trouble magnet. I don't take any chances. I don't want to lose you again.", Ash stubbornly insisted.
"Fine. But I'll buy you one, too. But not one for safety…"
"Which one will you buy for me?"
"That's a secret.", he said mysteriously, winking at him. "You'll see later."
They walked across a bridge and after bowing in front of the third gate and walking through, they reached a path with a row of pine trees on either side. This is called the Matsu no Sando. In English that would probably be the Pine Tree Approach Way. Worshippers walk on either side of the trees, but not in the middle because the center is said to be the path the God's take.", Eiji explained.
After walking for a while along the shadow of the pine trees they neared the end of the path and saw a place where more people were around. It looked like a pavilion with a place in the middle with clear running water.
"What's that?", Ash asked curiously, pointing at it. "Looks like some kind of ritual?"
"It is. It's called Temizuya. It's a place where you purify your hands and mouth with water.
When Ash's had clenched his hand into a fist so hard his knuckles turned white, Eiji put an arm around his shoulder again.
"Don't run away again. Ash, you're way overthinking all of that. It's just a ritual to honor the Gods. Because you're nearing the last gate and will be entering soon the shrine's innermost and therefore holy ground."
Ash relaxed but still looked glumly at him. "As a foreigner no one expects you to do it.", Eiji explained to him. "Are you still going to do it? For me?", Eiji asked him, giving him his brightest smile while taking both of his hands in his, caressing the back of them with his thumbs. A faint blush ran across Ash's cheeks while he looked at him.
"Eiji, that's not fair. You know I can't resist that smile…"
After a moment Ash sighed dramatically. "Fine, you win. So, what am I supposed to do?"
First, Eiji did it and explained to him how it was done and then Ash copied him.
"The dipper is called hishaku. Using your right hand, you let some water flow over your left hand. Then you switch hands and do the same again. Then you stop up some water with the dipper, pour it in the palm of your left hand and use it to rinse your mouth."
At the beginning, Ash still looked questioningly at the other people around him. However, after some time he relaxed while his eyes brows tightened in deep concentration while he tried to remember Eiji's movements from before. Eiji observed him, nodding approvingly at him.
When Ash was finished, Eiji motioned to the water. "Use the dipper again to let water flow over your left hand, but not all the water. Then put the dipper upright to let the remaining water rinse the handle. Make sure the dipper is empty before returning it to its place, so the next person can use it."
Ash nodded, doing it the way Eiji had told him. When they were done they walked towards the main grounds, bowed in front of the last gate and reached a huge open space. The first and biggest building was the Haiden, the worship hall.
Ash stared at it with interest and looked at the building more closely.
"Prayers and dedication ceremonies are performed here. In front of this building is also the main place where worshippers pray to Okuninushi-no-Okami.", Eiji explained patiently.
"The Worship Hall is the place where the main Shinto deity Okuninushi is worshipped during the renovation of the Main Hall. The main hall is maintained regularly, so the Haiden is often used instead."
"So that's the place you wanted us to pray?", Ash asked him while looking at the building
There was a main building with a big roof, entirely made of brown wood. Under the roof, the walls were covered with beautiful golden ornaments. From the main building, there were two connecting paths to each side that led to a smaller wooden building that looked similar and had the same roof, only a size smaller.
"So how do you pray here? I bet you have rules for that, too. Japanese people seem to have rules for everything."
Eiji glared at him. "You only say that because you were practically an outlaw living only by his own rules. You wanted a normal life. This is it. Like any other country, we have rules, laws and customs you're supposed to follow."
"But I get the feeling that Japan has many more rules than other countries… Anyway, what am I supposed to do?"
"You see that?, Eiji asked, motioning to a little wooden box. "That's an offering box. You put coins in it. There's no set amount of money. Then you bow twice, clap your hands four times, then you say a silent prayer or make a wish. At the end, you bow once again.
Ash nodded slowly. "So, what do you pray here for normally?"
Eiji looked shyly at him, suddenly quiet again.
"Love. And good relationships. That's why I wanted to take you here. To pray for our happiness. Our future.", he said a bit timidly.
"Our future, huh? That sounds nice…", Ash repeated in a low voice.
"But you can also pray for good luck or any other thing you want. But, Ash, the prayer has to be about yourself. Or us. Because knowing you, you'd pray for my happiness and not for yours. Pray for something you wish for.", Eiji told him sternly, his brown eyes piercing into Ash's. Ash's eyes widened, then his mouth opened and closed again as he stared at him. After a moment his gaze softened and his features turned into a half-smile.
"Eiji, you know you're scary as hell sometimes, right? The way you can read my mind…", Ash complained while looking away from him. "I've never thought about my future before…", he added in a low voice as if contemplating hard about what the future could be like.
"Ash, it's a prayer, not an entrance exam for Harvard University. Just pray for anything that comes to your mind, ok?" Ash smiled sheepishly at him before determination was reflected in his green eyes.
"Fine, let's do it. You begin."
After praying they walked around the main grounds for a while. Eiji explained the three red dots on the ground, telling him how in 2000 wooden pillars estimated to be from the 12th century were unearthed on the shrine grounds. Each pillar was made from three huge trees bound together to make a giant pillar three meters in diameter. Their pillars were found to be in the shape described in a construction plan belonging to the head priest of Izumo Taisha.
"The original main hall was said to be twice as high, approximately 48 meters but that wasn't accepted as fact for a long time since building a shrine at such a height in ancient times was inconceivable. This discovery has made the existence of the ancient main hall more realistic. The site has been covered again, of course. But the symbols set in the ground show the location of these original pillars.", Eiji explained to him.
"Let's just walk to the Kaguraden. It's a bit separate from the main complex. It means sacred dance hall." He led Ash to the building and watched how he looked at it with widening eyes, a satisfied smile dawning on his features.
"Is that a straw rope?", Ash asked curiously while looking up. The building looked like the one before with a big roof. With the difference that on the outside, at the same height as the ceiling, there was a giant straw rope hanging from one side to the other. The rope was so thick no one could embrace it with two arms.
"Yes and no. It's a sacred Shinto straw rope. We call it shimenawa. It's 13.5 meters long and weighs 4.5 tons. It's amazing, right? A shimenawa divides the space between the sacred area where Gods are enshrined and the outside world.", Eiji clarified for him.
"That's really amazing. Is that done by hand?"
"It is indeed. It's also replaced with a new one regularly. Several dozen old people from Tonbaru village of Iinancho town, Shimane, create the ropes themselves.", Eiji elaborated further.
"It's also one of the biggest ropes of that kind in Japan.", Eiji added when he saw Ash looking at it in fascination, his green eyes widening while inspecting it more closely.
"It's a really beautiful place, Eiji. Thanks for showing me around. Your country has such a long history. You'd never find such ancient buildings in America… It's fascinating…", he admitted honestly.
"I've always dreamed of showing you Izumo. Back in New York, I mean. I knew you'd love it here. Not just Izumo but Japan in general.", Eiji replied, looking up at him. "I've always wanted to show you a different world. One where you could live the life you've always wished for. The normal life you've dreamed of."
"Yeah, I've imagined that as well. Coming to Izumo with you. I've just never thought it'd really come true…", Ash admitted honestly while looking at him. "But I'm glad to be here with you now. I think I've found a real home this time. Thanks to you." While they walked on, Ash grabbed his arm and suddenly grinned at him mischievously, a mocking glint in his eyes.
"So, where do we find those charms you've mentioned?"
After they had bought some charms, they walked the same way back that up they had come.
"So, how about we try some soba now? I'm starving.", Eiji said. "I bet you' ll like it."
"Sounds great."
They were walking the same way back when Ash stopped in front of a store. Ash asked him to wait for him before he entered the arts and craft store.
When he came back, he had a small bag in hand and a bright smile on his face.
After a while, they found a soba shop and had lunch there.
Before they started eating they took out the charms they had bought. Both of them had bought one for happiness. Ash had bought Eiji one for safety as he had already promised him.
"Which one did you get me?
Eiji took it out. Ash stared at it trying to read it, then smiled. On the one Eiji had bought him stood
Long Life.
Ash gave Eiji the bag from the shop earlier and Eiji opened it. Inside were two magatamas, one in golden brown and one in emerald green. Eiji beamed at him, his eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Magatama. They're so beautiful, Ash!"
"I thought they'd match our eye color.", Ash said, a bit shyly.
They really do. It's such a sweet idea, Ash. Thank you." Eiji put the green one around his neck before giving him a quick peck on the cheek. Then he put the brown one around Ash's neck, looking softly at him, seeing a faint blush escaping from his cheeks.
Ash looked a bit flustered before he took Eiji's hand in his. "Thank you for staying with a dense idiot like me. I love you, Eiji."
Ash had never bought them anything romantic before. He had only slowly realized that Eiji loved him as well and wanted to stay by his side. Even after Eiji began telling him he loved him, Ash had needed some time until the truth had really sunken in. Until he was able to return the phrase to him. So Eiji was overjoyed when he tried to do such little things that were his way of saying I love you.
After that, Eiji ordered Soba and they ate it in silence. Eiji loved how Ash's eyes lit up when tasting soba for the first time.
"That's delicious. It really has a stronger flavor. I just know the soba noodles from New York but they weren't this dark. And the flavor was different."
"That's because soba is made differently here in Izumo as I've explained you on the way to the temple. It's typical of this region. I love the soba noodles of this region. It tastes like home.", Eiji added, a dreamlike expression in his eyes. Only then Eiji realized how insensitive that had been.
"Sorry, I didn't – "
"It's fine, Eiji. As far as I'm concerned this is my first real home.", Ash simply said as a matter-of-fact while he continued eating.
"It's great that you think so. And that you like Izumo so much it feels like home to you."
"It's not Izumo that feels like home, dumbass.", Ash scolded him softly. "Although I really love Izumo and how quiet and peaceful it is." Eiji just stared at him with a blank face, apparently missing something.
"Home for me is wherever you are, Eiji."