Sights of Kyoto: 2009

8/21/2009

Gozan Okuribi Great Bonfire

Gozan Okuribi is one of the four major traditional events in Kyoto.

Fires in the shape of Chinese characters are lit on five of Kyoto's surrounding mountains.
It has long been an important public summer rite to pray for their ancestors.

Daimonji character on Mt. Nyoigatake

The character is about 80 meters long left to right, and about 120 meters top to bottom.

Myo character on Mt. Mantoro

Funagata in the shape of an ship on Mt.Funayama

Hidari Daimonji character on Mt. Okita

End of fire

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Copyright (c) 2009 manbofish. All rights reserved.

8/14/2009

The night of Enryaku-ji temple

Monju-ro over steep stone steps

Konpon Chu-do (Central Main Hall)

The long slope to Konpon Chu-do

Sho-ro (Bell Tower)

Dai Ko-do (Great Lecture Hall)

Dai Ko-do

Fantastic Light Balls

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Copyright (c) 2009 manbofish. All rights reserved.

6/19/2009

Kishu-ume-dochu Festival

Ume(Japanese apricot) is a very important food in Japan.

They have come from Kishu (Wakayama-ken) and dedicate Ume to the god of Kamigamo-shrine.
Kishu is the famous area for the production of Ume.

They are dressed in Heian Period costume.

6/13/2009

Shisendo Temple (2)

The white sand and azalea garden

A place for wash hands

A lane to the garden

Azaleas and the belvedere of Shisendo Temple

6/12/2009

Shisendo Temple (1)

Shisendo Temple was built as the residence of Ishikawa Jozan in 1641.
He was a samurai who served Tokugawa Ieyasu and then became a poet.
The wonderfully landscaped garden is in the serene atmosphere.