The Temple of Peony (Hase-dera,Nara)

I went to "Hase-dera" Temple in Nara today.

"Hase-dera" Temple is famous for peonies,

that is why this temple is also called "The Temple of Peonies".

This temple was built in 727.(approximately),

and has been famous for a pilgrimage of thirty-three Buddhist temples throughout the Kansai region of  Japan. Very sacred place.

The main hall was designated as National Treasure in 2004.

Honestly,now peonies were at a little time past their prime,(last week was at their best),

so next time I'd like to see their full bloom.

Hope you'll enjoy these pictures.

(An admission fee is 500 yen,and the nearest station is Hasedera-station,Kintetsu line.)

This five-storied pagoda was built after World WarⅡ.

The species of peonies are more than 150,

and there are about 7000 peonies in this temple.

The best season is at the beginning of May.

They bloom only 1 week or so,very short time.

 

 

Wisteria garden (Manyou-botanical garden,Nara)

I went to Manyou-Botanical Garden in Nara today.This botanical garden is located near Kasuga-taisha shrine.
In May,Wisteria is in full bloom here,
many tourists visit here to enjoy beautiful garden.
Wisteria has been like a symbol flower of Kasuga-Taisha,since ancient times.
There are more than 10 species of wisteria here.
I uploaded the scene on YouTube;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3rIyXkQfFo&feature=youtu.be

Hope you'll enjoy it.

Usually Japanese iris blooms in June.

It is too early now. 

Archery on horseback (Yabusame) in Shimogamo-shrine,kyoto

Today there was a big event in Simogamo-shrine,kyoto.
"Yabusame"(archery on horse ride) is a pre-ritual event which is held every May 3.
This ritual is has the meaning of praying for the safety of  Aoi-Festival's procession (May 15).
People disguise themselves as an ancient nobleman or warrior,and they shoot an arrow from their horse,running at full speed.

I want to share it with you,so I uploaded the scene on YouTube. It is really exciting.
Hope you enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD7QJ-HWcMw&feature=youtu.be (parade scene)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QI-5SwqRUk (archery scene)

The excitement of the spectators reached fever pitch.

They look so heroic and brave.

This is Shimogamo-shrine,UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This shrine is one of the oldest shrine in Kyoto,the origin of this shrine dates back to 90 B.C.

This shrine has been worshiped by Imperial Court for a long time.

Surrounded by a big forrest (Tadasu no Mori,124000 square), this shrine always create a misterious atmosphere, and is an ideal place for the misterious ritual.
May is good season to visit here, the new green leaves are so beautiful.

Rendezvous in Nara (Toudai-ji Temple)

My husband and I met Adriana for the first time today.
We got to know each other by blog.
She came to Japan from Romania on this April 13 for sightseeing.
She made time in her busy schedule to visit Nara,and we stroll Nara together today.
My husband and I are really happy to meet her.
It is her first trip to Japan, she eagerly took photos at each historical places.
She is really a nice person,decent,friendly,and very intelligent.
Today's biggest event is, not Toudai-ji,but finally I could meet her,from Romania!
Adriana,welcome to Japan!

This is Toudai-ji Temple, Nara (The Hall of the Great Buddha), one of the most famous temple in Nara.
This temple was built more than 1300 years ago.
At that time,Japan was in a chaotic situation,many distressing things happened one after another,such as political changes,water shortage,famine,epidemic diseases,etc....
so Emperor Shoumu wished to settle down these problems,that is why he built a temple here.
And this temple is said to be a forerunner of Toudai-ji Temple now.

The Great Buddha(left) and Kannon-statue(right)

This is Tamon-ten statue.

This is one of the Four Devas.

This god is closely related to Kubera(Hindu god).

The garden is well-cared,and the cherry blossom is wonderful.

The middle of April is at their best.

Adriana and my husband(right) 

Toudai-ji temple is designated as UNESCO world heritage in 1998.

This temple always fascinate many tourists in every season.

Especially Toudai-ji in April is like a heaven!

Kimono experience in Unryu-in temple,Kyoto

Adriana (from Romania) and I went to Unryu-in temple today.

Unryu-in temple is located at the top of the hill,so we had to go there by taxi.

Today special kimono exhibition is held in this temple.

Varieties of kimonos are exhibited in this temple today.

These kimonos are used by many Japanese famous actress in Japanese historical TV drama. 

During this event,we can also put on one of these kimonos,if we pay another 500 yen,

so Adriana decided to try it.

It must be exciting experience for her,bedause it is her first trip to Kyoto.

It is really a memorial day.

She looks fabulous in her beautiful kimono.

There are so many kimonos,so it was difficult to chose one.

She looks gorgeous!

This is a ship from Spain or Portugal in Edo era.

These are all embroidery.

Westerners are vividly described.

This is Japanese-style room in the temple.

The garden is also beautiful.