Dear Ryden,
I made it safely to Tokyo last night. When I came it was dark and I was still inside an envelope and couldn't see anything.
This morning, when I went out the door I saw this flower that is almost as big as I am. It is an Orchid Cactus at grandma's house.
In the afternoon, we took a walk into town. This is Tokyo, but just a part called Nerima-ku. The first place we went to was a Shinto Shrine. You can tell a shrine by the big tori gate in front. That big gate makes me look really small.
When grandma was taking the picture, a gust of wind blew me right off to the ground. Luckily I was not hurt. See the big tree on the other side of the tori? It is a zelkova, or what the Japanese call a keyaki. This tree is very old and so big it needs some poles to help it stand up straight.
Here I am on the sign that tells about the tree. The mark next to my head is the character for "big". The way I am standing makes me look like I am big too.
There were some side shrines on the way to the main one. This one is guarded by two stone dogs, They are wearing something that looks like bibs. I don't think they were planning to eat me, but we didn't stay there long.
Before the visitors go to the main shrine, there is a place to wash. The water comes out of the mouth of this dragon.
After washing, there is another tori to go through. This is the main shrine. There are ropes tied to bells. I am standing in front of a box where the worshipers throw money to the Gods. Those ropes were to high up for me to pull.
Beside the shrine there was a place for people to hang little wooden plaques called "ema". The word ema means picture horse, but this is the year of the ox, so all the pictures were of oxen. The person writes his or her wishes for the coming year on the back side and offers it as a prayer to God.
Here is another side shrine. Can you see me standing by the rope? I didn't have any money to put in the box, so I thought I'd better not ring tat bell. I liked those red tori gates, They go nicely with my red shirt.
In the last picture, I am standing by a large stone lantern by the exit. This was an interesting place to visit, but there is much more to see. I will send you more in the next mail.
Your friend, Flat Stanley
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