Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Cherry Blossoms of Kyoto

Starting point is 00:00:00 Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and premium members. If you'd like to listen ad-free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for 7 days by following the link in the episode notes. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. Hey, it's Tom. I'm excited to share with you the newest show from Slumber Studios. It's called Sleepy History, and it's exactly what it sounds like. Intriguing stories, people, mysteries and events from history, delivered in a supremely calming atmosphere. Explore the legend of El Dorado, see what life was like for the Roman gladiators, uncover the myths and mysteries of Stonehenge. You'll find interesting but

Starting point is 00:01:02 relaxing episodes like these on Sleepy History, and the same great production quality you've come to know and love from Get Sleepy. So check it out, and perhaps you'll have another new way to get a good night's rest. Just search Sleepy History in your preferred podcast player. Did you know that before Slumber Studios produced podcasts, we made apps? We have one app that is the perfect companion to get sleepy. It's called White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds. We developed this app in-house at Slumber Studios to deliver the highest quality sleep sounds.

Starting point is 00:01:47 It can help you fall asleep fast, wake up less often, improve focus, reduce anxiety, relieve tinnitus and calm babies. With over 300 sounds and a new sound released every week, you're sure to find one that suits your tastes, including a variety of fan sounds, white, brown, pink, green and other color noises, professionally recorded nature sounds, as well as a broad range of music like classical, ambient sleep music and lo-fi. As a listener of Get Sleepy, we have an exclusive offer for you. Download the White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds app now and get 30 days free access to all of the premium content. Just go to deepsleepsounds.com slash get sleepy. That's deepsleepsounds.com slash get sleepy. Hey friends, welcome to Get Sleepy. When we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy.

Starting point is 00:03:09 sleepy. As always, my name is Thomas and I'm your host. Thank you so much for tuning in. Tonight's story was written by Angela and will be read by Nadine who we haven't heard on the show for a while. I'm sure you'll agree that it's lovely to hear her voice again. Shortly we'll be embarking on a slow paced adventure, walking along the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto, Japan during springtime when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Before that though, if you would love even more Get Sleepy content in your life, and amazing perks like ad-free episodes, discount on merchandise, and early access to new stories, check out our Get Sleepy Premium membership. You can find the link in the description of this episode, which has all the info on our membership. It would mean such a lot to have your support, as it helps us to keep

Starting point is 00:04:12 producing the very best Dreamy content, and to keep the show available for anyone and everyone wherever they are in the world. One of the favorite perks for our existing members is that every single Thursday we release a brand new premium exclusive episode. Tomorrow is no different. I'll be reading our story called The Pirate Who Couldn't Dream. It's a really charming tale that I think you'll adore, so why not give premium a try? To find out more about all the perks of Get Sleepy Premium, just visit the link in the description. Thank you all so much. Now my friends, to give ourselves the best opportunity to drift off to sleep with ease. It's important that we allow

Starting point is 00:05:08 ourselves time to transition away from the day, giving both body and mind the space they need to slow down and settle. down and settle. It's important to remember too that we are all unique and that means that each of us has our own process when it comes to settling down and we can only go at our own pace. It's a bit like if you and I were to climb to the summit of a mountain. We might take different routes to get there. We might walk at different speeds, but we're still reaching the same destination

Starting point is 00:06:09 and there's no pressure to get there fast. So just make sure you're comfortable in your cosy bed. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, using them as a source of relaxation and allowing your body to enjoy this rest that you're already providing it. You can listen to as much or as little of our story as you wish, knowing that it will still be here for you to return to if there's anything you miss. If you feel yourself getting closer to that mountain summit and the promise of good sleep, then continue following the path and enjoy the journey as it carries you to dreamland. For now, simply listen to Nadine's soothing voice and let yourself be transported to the cherry blossoms, ancient temples, and historic streets of Kyoto in the heart of Japan. This is where our story begins. It's a beautiful, pleasant morning in the city of Kyoto, Japan.

Starting point is 00:08:18 Your map tells you the city lies northeast of Osaka, close to the shores of Lake Biwa. The skies are a pale shade of blue with fluffy cotton wool clouds, and the spring sun shines high up above. shines high up above. You are wandering along the Philosopher's Path at the edge of a narrow canal. The pathway is named after one of Japan's most famous philosophers, Nishida Akitaro, who walked the route to the university each day, finding it so relaxing he would stop to meditate on the way. The canal is lined with hundreds of beautiful pink and white cherry blossom trees. And beyond, in the distance to your right, lush green hills provide a spectacular scenic backdrop.

Starting point is 00:09:50 Beneath your feet, the cobblestones are hidden by a soft petal carpet, where, after a slight breeze, the buds have drifted gently to the ground. As the trees stretch their branches across the canal, They almost touch, creating a beautiful, blossom archway. You notice that the colors reflect pastel pink in the shallow waters below. Nestled among the tree branches, brown-eared baubles and Eurasian tree sparrows search for nectar hidden deep in the buds. As the birds chirp, eager to find their breakfast, you stop for a moment, breathing in the delicate scent, reminiscent of almond and cotton candy. On the left side of the canal, behind the row of trees, two story houses with gray corrugated iron roofs.

Starting point is 00:11:07 On your right, a talented artist sits on a fold-out stool, painting the sakura, the Japanese word for cherry blossoms, on a canvas in watercolors. Bridges crisscross the canal, allowing you to reach one side from the other. As you do so, you see a large sign. you see a large sign. The sign informs you that the Hanami or viewing of the cherry blossoms in Japan has been a national pastime since the 8th century. Throughout the years, different trees have been-bred to introduce new colours and species. You learn that the trees have a deep meaning to the Japanese people. The fleeting, brief blossoming of the flowers each year represents new beginnings and the transience of everything in life, as nature

Starting point is 00:12:30 progresses, ever-changing and evolving. As you walk along the petal-covered cobblestones, the faint sound of music echoes in the distance. It's a reflective song played on the shamisen, a traditional three-stringed instrument. You stop to listen, closing your eyes, being fully aware of your breath, letting the melody envelope your mind, body and soul. Opening your eyes again, you find the music leading you along a stone pathway to a small temple. It doesn't look much from the outside, but the rooftop makes you smile. It's wide brimmed and looks a bit like a hat, the ones you see people wearing on riverboats and in fields to protect their heads from the sun.

Starting point is 00:13:50 and in fields to protect their heads from the sun. Two large stone lanterns stand at either side of the entrance. Instead of entering the temple, you take the winding pathway to the enchanting gardens at the rear. The trees are varying shades of green, but the smattering of pink blossoms. A coy fish pond flows through the center. The water in the pond is crystal clear, and as you peer into it, you can just make out the shapes of the orange and white fish as they shimmy left and right beneath the surface. Pretty lotus flowers bob up and down on top of the water. Every now and again, the breeze blows, moving them slightly out of position, before drifting back to their natural place of origin. There's a small red wooden bridge nearby, ornamental in design, but sturdy

Starting point is 00:15:10 enough to cross. You step onto it, the wooden slats creaking beneath your feet. At the other side of the pond, behind a cluster of bushes, are several large stone statues in seated poses. There are also benches on which to sit. You see a rectangular zen garden to your right and walk towards it. The garden is sprinkled with small plants, and several polished stones appear to balance precariously on top of one another in the middle. You notice a small rake lying on the ground to the side.

Starting point is 00:16:10 A sign informs you that raking a Zen garden is often used to put the action of moving the rake back and forth, soothing and relaxing. The sign invites visitors to try their hand at raking too. You pick the rake up and slowly begin to make patterns in the sand, feeling a gentle breeze on your face as you move the prongs. You maneuver it first in straight lines towards you, then make undulating sine wave creations in the other direction. The movement is indeed meditative, and as you find yourself becoming drowsy, you make your way towards a wooden bench tucked beneath a cherry blossom tree.

Starting point is 00:17:23 From this viewpoint, you can see the red bridge and the back of the temple. You sit, enveloping yourself in nature, breathing in, then out again, gently for three rounds of breath. Carried along on the breeze, the sound of chanting transports you to another space and time. You listen to the voices for a while, imagining life at the temple in days of old, before exiting the gardens and continuing your journey along the philosopher's path. After a few minutes of walking, you find yourself in one of Kyoto's most historic districts. Traditional, mature houses, crafted from wood, line the streets. Their sizes are deceptive, as they are narrow on the outside, yet extend for up to 20 meters in length inside. The houses used to belong to

Starting point is 00:18:50 merchants who would come to the city to trade. As you look along the pedestrian street, you imagine that aside from the shops and restaurants here today, it must look much the same as it did centuries ago, when Kyoto was Japan's ancient capital. The shop windows along the street are artfully decorated, many with displays of the Sakura. Cherry blossom souvenirs and candies are arranged neatly next to Japanese anime characters and quirky cartoon kittens. On your right, a small shop sells hand-painted fans, and next door, elegant pottery designs

Starting point is 00:19:51 depict scenes of the Japanese countryside. Seven wooden tubs sit at the front of a small food shop, filled to the brim with pickles, shogoine turnips, and camo naso aubergines, or eggplants. Bright red lanterns with black calligraphy hang lazily outside restaurants, swaying back and forth as menus show photographs of dishes served inside. As you continue to wander slowly along the charming cobbled street, a small courtyard to the left catches your eye. The place looks intriguing, with trickling, rock-like water features against the walls and a hammock positioned beneath a Japanese maple tree in the center.

Starting point is 00:20:57 You open the gate and enter the courtyard, stopping to listen to the sound of water from the fountains. You feel the sound fully relaxing your mind. The maple tree is adorned with twinkling yellow lights, and hooked to the branches, twinkling yellow lights, and hooked to the branches, you see tiny paper parasols in a range of colors. There's a wooden shop at the back of the courtyard, with see an elderly man in a blue shirt and white apron, crafting the larger versions of the paper parasols. You recognize them as the same ones carried by locals at celebrations, and by women dressed in traditional kimonos as they walk the streets of Kyoto. Three of them are on display by the door. The washi paper they are made of

Starting point is 00:22:19 is thick to the touch, like a type of parchment, and each one is hand-painted with Japanese poetry, landscapes, flowers or birds. The workshop is dimly lit, and the sound of the street fades away as you step inside. The place is how you always imagined an artist's studio would be. Sun-dried washi paper is stacked in layers on an old wooden wooden table. Behind, shelves on the wall are lined with pots of powdered paint and brushes in different shapes and sizes. The man is just about to create a new parasol parasol and invites you to watch his process. He explains that the parasols or umbrellas are called Wagasaar, made in a traditional Kyoto style and that they are used to protect one from evil spirits and shade one from the sun. You sit down on a stool and smile as he expertly handcraft the spokes for the parasol, made from bamboo, sourced from a nearby forest. Then he shapes the pieces by hand until they are the desired length and width, before soaking

Starting point is 00:24:11 them in water and taking them outside to dry in the sun. He then begins to create the parasol and handle. The washi paper, he tells you, comes from the fibers of the gampi tree, which can be found just outside the city. He demonstrates the toughness of the paper by pulling it at either side and says that it's the same paper that people use for the ancient craft of origami. He goes on to trim it, then coat it with linseed oil to make it waterproof, before placing it outside with the other pieces to dry. The final stage is the painting.

Starting point is 00:25:13 The old man smiles, perching his glasses firmly on his nose as he brings in a complete parasol ready to decorate. He asks you to pick out three colours from the shelf, which you do. Then, he deposits a large catalogue of sorts onto the tabletop. thoughts onto the tabletop. Opening the thick bound book, you see that it is filled with intricate designs. There are mountains, lakes, birds, and torii gates, the red ones you see at the entrance to ancient shrines. You ask if he sketched all the drawings himself, and he nods, encouraging you to pick one of the designs.

Starting point is 00:26:20 One in particular captures your attention. It's a simple design, dotted with pink cherry blossoms with a tall wooden tiered pagoda in the middle. The man smiles, saying that this is one of his favorites to paint. He turns towards the shelf to select three brushes and fills an empty glass jar with water from the tap in the corner sink. You watch as he dips the first slender brush into the powdered paint. You are mesmerized by his skill and his steady hand as he expertly paints the blossoms with delicate dabs of pastel pink onto the paper.

Starting point is 00:27:29 pink onto the paper. At regular intervals, he cleans the brush in the water, creating kaleidoscope swirls of color in the liquid, before beginning to work on the deep brown tones of the wooden pagoda. As you sit on the stool, watching the mastery of the brushstrokes, you completely lose track of time. Fully immersed, relaxed, and enjoying the meditative experience. After the parasol is completed, he takes it outside for the paint to dry, and invites you to join him for a cup of tea. The old man wipes his hands on his apron, no longer a brilliant white, now speckled with paint. And he tells you the art of parasol making has been in his family for many generations. He explains that not many people are interested

Starting point is 00:28:40 in learning how the parasols are made. You are the first to visit his studio in quite a while, and for that he is grateful. The pair of you sit on comfortable cushioned chairs amongst the twinkling lights in the courtyard, sipping the refreshing drink as water trickles from the fountain. After a while, the man says he must continue working, but welcomes you to stay for as long as you like. You thank him for the tea and his company, but say you will continue your journey as you have more of the city you wish to see."

Starting point is 00:29:33 He nods and smiles. Before you leave, he hands you a finished parasol painted in your chosen design. It's a true work of art, with pink cherry blossoms and the tiered pagoda on the panels. You offer to pay, but he insists it is a gift and you are welcome to come back any time. You are grateful for his teaching and generosity and accept the parasol graciously with both hands as is customary. As you depart the courtyard to continue your walk, your new parasol shades you from the sun. At the end of the street stands dark wooden pagoda.

Starting point is 00:30:36 It's tiered, towering several stories high, and you realize it is identical to the one painted on your parasol. As fate would have it, today is one of its rare open days, so you enter to see what lies within. in. A sign at the entrance tells you that the temple was constructed by Prince Shotoku after being inspired to build it during a dream. The walls of the interior are etched with wooden carvings, which feel smooth, yet slightly jagged to the touch, where they have chipped and worn over time.

Starting point is 00:31:32 You continue to move slowly around the room and find yourself wondering how old the artwork is. Then you climb the stairs, stopping to pause at the beautiful yet fading antique paintings and statues on the first floor. You have the place all to yourself and are grateful to see all these years of history without any distractions. On the upper floor, outside from the balcony, you see the city of Kyoto laid out before you. The patchwork of grey rooftops, wooden houses, and pretty parks blanketed with cherry blossoms. Green mountain peaks stand tall in the distance, and above, an airplane flies high,

Starting point is 00:32:40 leaving a trail of white in the cobalt blue sky. leaving a trail of white in the cobalt blue sky. You notice the sun's warmth on your skin and feel like you could stay in this still, quiet moment forever. Sitting down on the wooden deck, you stretch out your legs. Closing your eyes, you reminisce about your day and how you began your journey hours ago on the Philosopher's Path. You are reminded of watching the koi fish swimming in the temple garden without a care in the world.

Starting point is 00:33:32 Your mind drifts to the old man, the talented artisan of Kyoto in his workshop, and the pleasure it brought you watching him create and paint the parasol. After what feels like hours, you decide to continue to one more destination. So, you make your way back down the stairs to the street. The sky is now a dusky blue, with wispy purple clouds forming. The street on which you walked earlier is now quiet, and golden lanterns cast a mystical light on the cobblestones. cobblestones. The upper windows and balconies are illuminated, and many of the shops are closing up for the evening. You turn to your left down a narrow alleyway, where one small restaurant appears to be open. Locals sit at the white tiled counter with steaming hot bowls of noodles in front of

Starting point is 00:34:50 them. You watch as they feast expertly on the contents with chopsticks, every mouthful punctuated with chatter to a neighbouring friend or the chef. You can hear the sound of music lingering in the evening air, and glasses clinking to signify the end of the working day. At the end of the alleyway, you turn the corner to your right and realize you have arrived at your destination. You have been told that this park is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms at dusk, a hidden gem which not many people know about. You walk slowly through a gate along a winding pathway. Evergreen trees stand tall at either sideging the pathway.

Starting point is 00:36:11 As you walk, the landscape around you begins to change, the trees turning from green to pink. The further along the pathway you travel, the denser the cherry blossom trees become. Looking around you, you can see people sitting on blankets beneath lanterns hanging from trees, reading books, or talking softly with friends. The ambiance relaxed, and you decide to stay a while. You find a blanket that's been left for visitors. It's cream-colored and resting under a cherry blossom tree at the edge of the park. Although you're in the heart of Kyoto, this place feels like its own secret world, far away from the city.

Starting point is 00:37:32 Nighttime slowly creeping in as the sun begins to set. Lying down on the blanket, you look up at the cherry blossom tree with its branches laid out above, and let your eyes follow the journey of a tiny petal as it slowly falls, swaying from side to side and coming to land on your hand. The petal feels as smooth as fine silk. It has a darker pink stripe near where the center of the flower floral scent. As you think of your day and everything you have seen and discovered in Kyoto, you find your eyelids slowly closing slowly closing, and your body fully relaxing on the blanket in the warm evening air. And slowly, the lanterns on the tree branches begin to flicker in the night as you drift off into a peaceful, dreamy sleep. You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You I'm going to go ahead and start the video. You you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Cherry Blossoms of Kyoto

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