Kyoto Daily Photo: August 2006

Thursday, August 31, 2006

A phoenix: Kinkakuji Temple, Kyoto

This is a phoenix on the top of roof of the Golden Pavilion, in Kinkakuji Temple.

A phoenix is, according to the Chinese legend, a bird for celebrating the birth of the next Emperor.

The phoenix on the top means that its habitant is the Emperor.

But, actually, it is the Shogun, the ruler all over Japan, who used to be there. The Shogun is Yoshimitsu Ashikaga. He made a fortune in the trade with Korea, and richer than the Emperor.

By putting the phoenix on the top, the Shogun meant that it was him, not the Emperor, who ruled the entire country and he was eager to be the ultimate authority, in place of the Emperor.

at Kinkakuji Temple, Kyoto
Location by Google Map

The fun wall: Daitokuji Temple, Kyoto

This is the wall of Daitokuji Temple, famous as a Zen Temple in Kyoto.

Many tile roofs are used in the wall because they got worn-out or unnecessary, and some of them are very decorative.

As a design, this wall is very sharp because the distance between the lines of tile roofs are rather narrow, in harmony with decorative roofs.
　
This is quite fun yet modern wall.

Daitokuji Temple, Kyoto
Location by Google Map

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Purity: Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto

This is part of Kamigamo Shrine.

By the way, shrines is bound up with the water.

Gods in shrines love the purity, and that's why the paths in shrine is spotless and well maintenanced, though they are surrounded by the trees.

Also, people need to be clean not to be disliked by gods, and that's why there are some space to wash hands at the entrance of shrines before praying.

In the picture, the pure water are running and the both sides of stream is covered with white sand. When I go by the crystal-clear water running, surrounded by the trees, I seem to be cleaned up even with the heart. This is the power of the nature.
at Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto
Location by Google Map

Monday, August 28, 2006

At unknown high season: Sumiya Treasure House, Kyoto

Sumiya Treasure House, Kyoto sightseeing

This is the fragment of the small garden surrounded by corridors or walls, called Tsubo-niwa.

Just after the rain in the leafy month of June is definitely best to see that kind of garden.

After the rain, the stones shine black and sometimes feel erotic. The vegetation absorbs water, one of the vitals to it, and gets more vivid.

As is unfamiliar to most of people, rainy season is the best to see the garden in Kyoto.

At Sumiya Treasure House, Kyoto
Location by Google Map

Sunday, August 27, 2006

The flame of the garden: Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto

This garden is very famous for the placement of fifteen stones.
(ref. http://www.artofjpn.com/kyoto/ryoanji.html)

The earthen wall is elegantly plain, like tea bowls with wabi flavor.

The stones stand out, by being enclosed with the simple walls and positioned in a plain of raked white gravel.

This wall functions well as a flame of the garden.
at Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto
Location by Google Map

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Tons of steps: Jingoji Temple, Kyoto

This picture shows tons of steps and the main gate seen from beneath. To reach that temple, we need to 20-minutes-walk up and down from the nearest bus station.

As shown in the picture, seen from under tons of steps, the sunlight breaks through maple leaves, colored verdant green, and also through the opening of the main gate.

Walking up many stairs itself, I'd think, might be something more than approaching the temple, and somewhat feels kind of holiness.

at Jingoji Temple, Kyoto
Location by Google Map

Friday, August 25, 2006

the old and new, Kitano Shrine Kyoto

This picture shows the corridors, flanking the main building of Kitano Shrine in Kyoto.

The surface of the corridor have changed into black, and the gold decorations are, in the contrary, freshly shining. The color of the wood is harmonious with gold of the decorations, and the oldness enhances the newness and vice-versa.
at Kitano Shrine, Kyoto
Location by Google Map

Thursday, August 24, 2006

An open building, Kozanji Temple Kyoto

The old buildings in Japan were generally designed to avoid the awful heat and humidity throughout summer into the inside of building. Like this photo, the rather big opening takes a breath of air inside and helps soften the midsummer-heat and humidity.

By the way, the bigness of the opening also has a good effect on the nicely scenery from the inside. Seen from the inside, the scenery outside is flamed by the pillars and thresholds, and turns a landscape picture.

We fully enjoy the scenery, changing throughout the year, because of the distinctive change of seasons. The quite simple decoration of the building adds the enchantment to the variegated hues.

This picture also show the excellent combination of the verdant green outside with the worn-out red carpet.

at Kozanji, Kyoto
Location by Google Map