Yoshida Shrine and reflections on field work in Kyoto
It is a hot day in Kyoto city. The heat and incessant sound of Cicadas (蝉, Semi) indicate the end of the rainy season and start of the summer heat in Japan. Notorious for its high temperatures and high humidity, we were warned prior to our arrival that we should brace ourselves for this warm period. Usually running from half July to half September, because Kyoto is surrounded by high hills, the summer period in the city is often described as more intense compared to other cities in Japan. The heat becomes trapped in the urban maze and lingers around with little room to escape.
After a day in the air-conditioned office, before going home I figured to visit the Yoshida shrine close to the Kyoto University campus. Before exiting the air-conditioned office, I took a moment to brace myself for the one-two punch of heat and humidity that is forced upon you. Walking out of the Law and Economics faculty building, I have quickly found an optimal route through buildings and under trees to reach the campus gate. From here on out, the sun hits the tarmac with no shade in sight, so I am forced to face the heat head on. Taking a sharp left, I am greeted by a large vermilion Torii（鳥居) gate, which indicates a boundary between the mundane physical realm and the spiritual realm. Inconveniently, this Torii gate first leads to a parking lot from where you can see the stairs going up a hill to the first actual shrine area. Dragging myself over the parking lot, the spiritual realm does not offer any relief in temperature so far.
Rural Sociology Wageningen University 