Youkoso chinkyaku! Welcome visitor to this ancient shrine dedicated to the resident Kami. *bows*

Please ring the bell and clap your hands a few times, as it is custom in order to win the kami's attention. To your left you will find plenty of senkou to be burnt at the shoukoudai, the shrine's altar for offerings.



Enjoy the tranquil silence and listen closely to what heart and body have to say, for at this shrine they speak with the kami's voice.

You may then wish to proceed to the small Zen garden to contemplate in its serene and cleansing atmosphere. Has it ever occured to you that the outward order or chaos might affect the inner state of mind? Our gardener strives, each and every day, to meticulously lay out new ones and renew the carefully drawn lines of thought, for he knows the outer garden reflects the garden of the mind.

This garden is shaped to reflect the spririt of keibo, which means love as well as respect. Can love ever exist without respect? Can respect exist without love?

Or maybe you want to read some of the works of our great poets? You are very welcome to do so once I have transferred my modest library to this place. It will be a day of joy when I am finally able again to give myself over to aishou, the love of reading.

Perhaps you feel inclined to share a story or a poem? I would feel so very honoured. *bows* So if you wish to, please take up a brush, wet the inkstone and leave me a public readable message on the board.

The last chamber is for the more intimate prayers while I am caught up the kami's spirit. There you might find poems from all over the world, and they are all about love or certain aspects of love. The light in there is cosy and warm, the sheets are soft, and the kami of this place reigns supreme within the walls of my little ainosu, my love nest. A place filled with delicacies, a place of peaceful devotion, of roses, butterflies and of all things sensuous and beautiful.