Friday 20 February 2015

Higashi Honganji

Higashi Honganji (eastern Temple of the Original Wow) is the other temple of the Jodo Shin sect (True pure Land sect).
It has been established in 1602 by the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu when he split the Shin sect in two in order to diminish its power.

Its main hall, the Goeido, is Kyoto's largest wooden structure and it is dedicated to Shinran, the sect's founder.









Wednesday 18 February 2015

Ryoma Sakamoto in Fushimi

Fushimi is one of the eleven wards of Kyoto.
It is well known for its Inari shrine, its breweries of sake but also for Ryoma-dori shopping street which name comes from Ryoma Sakamoto, the famous samurai.

In 1866, Ryoma Sakamoto was attacked by the Bakufu government force while he was at a meeting at Teradaya's Inn.
He managed to escape thanks to his Smith & Wesson revolver but also to Oryo who became later his wife.

This shop shutter art with picture of Ryoma Sakamoto has been prepared for the Fushimi +Art Festival with the collaboration of the Kyoto University of Art and Design.


Tuesday 17 February 2015

Nishi Honganji - Kyoto


Nishi Hongan-ji (Western Temple of the Original Vow) is one of the two temples of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect of Buddhism in Kyoto. The other one is Higashi Honganji (Eastern Temple of the Original Vow).

It is believed that this temple originated with the construction of the mausoleum that contained the grave of the high priest Shinran, who was the founder of this temple. 
Nishi Hongan-ji is listed as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as a UNESCO World Heritage SIte.


























Friday 13 February 2015

Pontochō

Pontochō is a narrow street running between Shijo-dori and Sanjo-dori in the Hanamachi district in Kyoto


It is known for geisha who has existed there since at least the 16th  century. Nowadays, it is still home of geisha houses and tea houses but also of traditional Japanese restaurants, bars and of the Pontochō Kaburenjō Theatre









Along Kamo river 












Thursday 12 February 2015

Rokkaku-do - Kyoto

Rokkaku temple is located southeast of the intersection of Karasuma and Sanjo street in central Kyoto.

Its official name is Chohoji but as its main hall is hexagonal and that roku means 6 in Japanese, it is commonly called Rokkaku-do.


It has been founded by Prince Shotoku in 587 to enshrine Nyorin Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. 


The temple is the site of the birth and development of ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers. Indeed, flowers started to be placed on the altars when Buddhism was introduced in Japan in about 538.



















Taishi-do hall





The 16 disciples of Buddha. The are called rakan which is the name given to the monks who guard the teaching of Buddha.



Jizo facing north in direction of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, standing guard over the imperial family.