Jessica Wandering

Photos and thoughts on my travels

Kyoto

Our lodging is right near the Kamo river and there is a lovely recessed walking path all along. White-faced herons and also great egrets are quite the common site. And the herons especially do not seem to mind being pretty close to humans. I rarely get this close to the great blue herons at home and these keep letting me.
The mountains from the bridge by our hotel the first afternoon. I love that layered effect with the clouds.
This must be in Kyoto Goyen National Garden. The sun was lovely at the golden hour.
We also found our first whiff of the wintersweet tree that has been starting to bloom in the week. It smells so good! The wintersweet is special because it comes first of all the fragrant flowers, in January to remind you spring is coming.
And the we found this amazing place was about 1/2 a block from our hotel. So yummy fruit ice cream, and with crunchies in the middle and vanilla on top with toppings! We had one every evening, until it snowed Wednesday and Thursday and they didn’t seem to open.
The next day this temizuya was particularly striking with its dragon. It is a purification ritual before going to the main hall of a shrine to pray. You use the ladle to rinse the left hand and then the right and then your mouth if you choose- I saw many folks not do or almost mime the mouth part.
Kyoto is known for its many very ancient Buddhist temples (1600 of them!) and Shinto shrines (400). They are cool but the crowds have bothered me more here than Tokyo. To me a visit to a shrine is to feel awe at the number of years and number of people this place served for ritual and prayer. Having many people who clearly are there just to take a photo and seems sad for the few who are earnest in their prayers.
Also, because I am ignorant of the differences between pure land Buddhism and other specific sects, I find the descriptions of the Buddhist temples mostly less interesting- year founded, who the person followed in faith. The Shinto often will explain this is the place to pray for good harvests or easy childbirth etc and these don’t give me enough anchor especially in the crowds.
They are certainly still very impressive in construction, especially considering these are likely from the 1100’s. This is in Nara where the capital was in the 900’s.
This one stood out though. This is Todai-Jo in Nara. It was built in the 700’s and was both a place for training monks and learning Buddhism it was also a place people prayed for the peace and happiness of all people.
It has a MASSIVE Buddha statue. Notice the tiny buddhas in gold surrounding him.
And two golden Buddhas on either side of the big bronze one. I looked deeply into the eyes of the one on the left for a long time and I felt a power coming up from the ground making my body tingle and feeling lifted up. Not literally, but energetically. I was grateful for that.
And various protectors arrayed: at the gate
Behind,
And on the front corner. I paid the admission fee for this guy. It is a statue of Binzuru who was said to have mastery of the occult and psychic powers. It is said if you rub the part of him that corresponds to a pain or ailment you have it will be healed. And I have to say, my knee that has been bugging me for 3+ weeks suddenly was a whole lot better the next day. I’m not questioning how or why, I’ll just take it.

We went to Heian Jinju a temple and a quite lovely Garden in Kyoto.
This temple is also cool. But again very crowded so I felt less grounded or intrigued because I was busy dodging people and trying not to block peoples pictures.
There was a cool bamboo grove there.
We were happier on the walk up the path away from most of the people.
And looking at the mountain
And when we see the animals.

jessicaeastre

2 responses to “Kyoto”

  1. Henry Schroeder Avatar
    Henry Schroeder

    I,  as well,  like communing with nature and being away from the maddening crowd….  Awe inspiring to observe the ancient beauty of the temples!     Love,  Marilee

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  2. jenniferlblackburn Avatar
    jenniferlblackburn

    Impressive temples! I didn’t see any that big when I was there. I like how you were able to feel the energy. Really beautiful pics!

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