Metals
Forging things in metal, iron and steel, has long been happening since the early years of this world. It started off with weaponry and then for defenses against such weaponry. Then for buildings, transportation, eating utensils and almost anything else you can think of that one can make out of metal. Let’s look at a few examples!
So everywhere I go, and am in mind to shoot photos, I will find something reasonably old, made out of metal, to photograph. These cook pots from the 15th and 16th centuries, in England, were in a castle that we toured. I believe that there was a time, in this world’s history, called the Iron Age.
In the early 1300’s Himeji Castle was built. The utilization of iron to help reinforce smaller, man doors that were more easy to open than the larger, thicker doors of the Main Gate. Also, think about in those days and even earlier, Samurai using the blades, those hand-forged, in steel, swords that made Japan a bloody battlefield as long as Samurai were trying to run those lands. Japan has some of the oldest history in this world and iron and steel were being used way back then.
Toys were made out of metals of varying kinds. Cars, really cool cars that had a steering wheel that actually turned the wheels. Head for the nearest hill and aim your rig down hill! The metal cars took less abuse if you crashed on a grassy knoll, the driver, however, probably took more. The quality of the metal car, for kids, took a beating because it was made sturdy and withstood a fair amount of abuse. They don’t make them like they used to!
Cars made for adults, in the last half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries, were made heavy and sturdy. Their maximum speeds weren’t that great because of their weightiness. But, they were made to last. It always makes me happy, and if I’m honest, a little sad, when I find one worthy of capturing, I think about how we will never get back to the days where companies made things to last.
Whether in the U.S., of in Europe, Asia and Japan, almost anywhere in the world you will find a bronze statue of someone infamous. Today’s example? John Adams. Our 2nd President of the United States. Instrumental in doing right by his clients, he was a well known and successful lawyer, as well as being the leader of the American revolution to shake off the yoke of English oppression. I took this in Quincy, Massachusetts and at the opposite end of this plaza, there is a bronze statue of John Hancock. Hundreds of bronze statues reside in New England, forged in the likeness of those who helped mold the beginnings of American life. If you’re a bit foggy on who exactly these folks were, watch the mini-series, Adams, a great depiction of who this man was, what his principles were and how instrumental his beliefs were in not only, the law, but how important it was for England to not rule the established states of America.
Let loose the dogs of war! Made with strong, heavy steel, these WWII-era tanks could withstand allot of smaller caliber rounds from rifle and even some machine guns. They certainly were not bullet proof from rounds from other tanks, they could be rendered inoperable, and therefore vulnerable, if a larger round happened to strike it. But we took thick pieces of steel, welded and riveted it together and formed a 20th century killing machine.
Well, for immense steel-built items, you can’t go wrong with an an aircraft carrier! Virtually everything on it, and in it, is steel. Desks that officers sat at were made out of steel. Quite a feat if you think about it. Let’s take a bunch of steel and make something really long and wide enough to store a bunch of aircraft in, then we’ll make it float. This, the USS Lexington, is docked in Corpus Cristi, Texas. You can view all the planes on the flight deck and even get into one of them. You can tour the interior of the carrier and, something we didn’t have time for, tour the actual bridge. If you’ve never been, go! Have a look at what modern day sea life is like when you’re living on an aircraft carrier. It’s quite something!
I know it must seem like I’ve been discussing metals when they apply to battle, or the military in general, but it was more the size variances that were more the subject of those items made from metal. So to end this installment, we will have a Zen moment together and be one with all things metal. While working on your breathing, and mindfulness, consider the Buddha to the right. The Great Buddha of Kamakura in Japan is the Buddha that would not be enclosed. After a decade of work, it was completed in 1243. I encourage you to read some history on it as it is facinating and supports my comment above. One of the greatest, and oldest, bronze statues of record in the world. Go to Japan, people! It doesn’t really matter where you travel to in Japan, it will be a trip you will remember for a very long time!
That sums it up for me, this week, and I hope to bring you less metallic offerings on my next blogging. Go out and forge your way into our beautiful, mysterious, awe-inspiring and aged world and explore the histories and mysteries contained in it. I know I have a couple of adventures to go on in the coming months and I hope you do as well. Always remember to take care of yourselves and each other, be mindful, as the Buddha teaches us…go and see stuff! Be and travel well!
