Stillness in Motion - 20250519-Japan-2

 

The Flame That Would Not Move

(Naritasan Shinshō-ji)

 

In Kanto’s dust, rebellion ceased—

a sword was drawn, a vow released.

In nine-four-oh, the tale began:

a temple rose by unseen hand.

 

They brought the god with fire for eyes,

with blade to cut through mortal lies,

with rope to bind the shadow’s breath,

protector fierce, dispeller of death.

 

But when they tried to move his form,

the image stalled, against the norm.

Too heavy grew the fire-laced frame,

as if the earth had called his name.

 

Thus rose the halls on that still place,

to honor wrath with boundless grace.

And there the sacred fires stay,

still burning to this very day.

 

The Goma flames, they rise and bend—

not wrath, but means to reach the end.

Through smoke and chant, the spirits cleanse,

and mind and heart make no defense.

 

Fudō, unmoved, yet ever near,

his silence louder than our fear.

Immovable, yet born of flame—

to call him is to speak your name.

 

 

Shot in -Naritasan Shinshoji Temple,

Done