“It was already feeling like a very long road trip when we finally caught a glimpse of Mt. Tiantai, and that filled my heart with joy and excitement. We finally arrived at Guoqing temple in orange dim sunlight. I see characters 隋代古刹 on the orange wall reflecting the sun.”
—Kazuo Shiraga, Guoqing Temple, Mount Tiantai, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China, May 1983
In 1981, Kazuo Shiraga took his first trip to China. The following is a translation of a handwritten itinerary the artist drafted for this inspiring trip, originally written in Japanese.
May, Showa 56, 1981
May 16th
Meeting at 10AM. Osaka Airport – Shanghai.
Touring in Shanghai City. Renmin Park, Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Friendship Store etc.
Staying at Hengshan Picardie Hotel.
17th
Shanghai Station – Hangzou Station (train). Bus from Hangzou Station.
Lunch at Shaoxin Hotel. Conversation with Yuigaku Hoshi (唯覚法師), the Superintendent Priest of Mount Tiantai.
Arriving at Taizhou Guoqing Temple in evening.
Staying at Guoqing Temple Yingta Building.
18th
Religious duties from 3 o’clock.
Visiting temples in Tiantai Mountain by bus.
Zhongfangguang Temple, Xiafangguang Temple, Taizhou Shiliang Waterfall, Living Buddha Pagoda( Zhenjue Temple).
Staying at Nanxi Hot Spring.
19th
Bus to Ningbo.
Decorative arts and crafts store, wood carving store, Tianyi Pavilion.
20th
Ningbo City, antique store, Tiantong Temple, Temple of King Ashoka.
Staying at Shaoxing Hotel.
21st
King Yu’s Mausoleum Temple, Shaoxing Ceramic Kiln, Former Residence of Luxun, Shaoxing Wine Brewery, Liuhe Pagoda
Staying at Hotel Hangzhou.
22nd
Visiting West Lake, Lingyin temple, Hangzhou City.
Staying at Hengshan Hotel.
23rd
Huangpu River to Yangtze River, Shanghai exhibition.
Dinner at Jing An Hotel.
Staying at Hengshan Hotel.
24th
Jade Buddha Temple.
Flying back to Osaka from Shanghai Airport.