Heian-Jinguu (Heian-Shrine)ーKyoto ②Japanese stroll garden

This is the entrance of the famous garden,"Shin-en",

located near "Byakko-rou".

"Shin-en" is typical Japanese stroll garden,designated as a place of scenic beauty.

The Japanese stroll garden places great importance on the path.

Stroll gardens usually are quite large and have a pond in the central area encircled by a path (or several paths),which allows visitors to stroll about.

By traveling about the garden path,visitors could take "excursiions" designed for them by their host.

This garden is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring,

and for azaleas in the early summer,

irises in June,and colored leaves in autumn,

a snowy landscape in winter.

In every season,we can enjoy its beautiful scenery.

The layout of the garden itself was strictly determined according to the principles of traditional Chinese geomancy,or Feng Shui.

I found camellia flowers.

"Sazanka" in Japanese.

This architecture is called "Taihei-kaku".

Everyone is overwhelmed by its breathtaking view.

(Especially April is the best season.)

This large east garden lake recalls the leisurely boating parties of the 8th century.

This landscape gardening was finished in 1916.

We can enjoy fine view of the lake from here.

This tasteful architecture was bestowed by Imperial Parace.

This lake is "Seihou-ike".

And that house is "Shoubi-kan",

kind of cottage or guesthouse in old days.

In April,cherry blossoms are really wonderful here.

This is Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art,

located very next to Heian-Jingu Shrine.

http://www.city.kyoto.jp/bunshi/kmma/en/index.html

April exhibition plan is not fixed yet,

but I think it is worth visiting.

Heian-Jinguu (Heian-Shrine)ーKyoto

I found a big gateway (to a Shinto shrine).

This is your guide when you visit "Heian Jinguu".

This is one of the largest in Japan.

"Heian-Jinguu" was built in 1895.

It is a restoration of ancient Imperial Palace,"Heian-Kyou",11-12th century.

The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Kanmu and Emperor Koumei.

Kanmu moved the capital to Heian-Kyou,and Koumei was the last before Emperor Meiji,

who moved the capital to Tokyo.

This is "Outen-mon".（応天門）

This is also a restoration of the main gate of ancient Imperial Palace.(5/8 size)

This is really big gate...

This is "Daigokuden".

More than 1000 years ago,this palace served as the imperial residence and the administrative centre of Japan for most of the Heian Period (from 794 to 1185).

The architecture mirrors the style and features of the Ancient Imperial Palace.

Two women are taking a walk in a shrine,having a pleasant chat.

This is "Souryuu-Rou".
"Souryuu" means "Azure Dragon".
In China,"Azure Dragon" is a guardian deity of East direction.
That is why this tall building is located east of the premises.

According to Chinese constellation,
"White tiger" guards West direction,
"Vermilion Bird" guards South direction,
"Black Tortoise" guards North direction.

The Four Symbols are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations.
Each one of them represents a direction and a season of the year,and each has its own individual characteristics and origins.

This constellation was brought into Japan from China in ancient times.
And this constellation influenced Emperor Kanmu.
He regarded this Chinese constellation highly when he built this Palace.

This is "Byakko-Rou".
"Byakko" means "White Tiger".
So this building is located west of the premises.

"Souryu-Rou" and "Byakko-Rou" make a pair architecture.
They are stunning.

And this big shrine has a beautiful garden,called "Shin-en".
In April,this garden is covered with a profusion of flowers!
You can't miss it.
I'll show it on my next post.

To be continued...

Bean-Throwing CeremonyーYoshino Mountain,Nara （節分）

 

This is "Kinpu-Senji" Temple, located at the top of Mt.Yoshino,Nara.
This Temple is Unesco World Heritage.
The founding year of this Temple is not sure,but it has a long history of more than 500 years.
It takes 20 minutes by car from my house to this Temple.
(Many priests live in seclusion in this temple and practice asceticism,
and after ascetic practices,they're spiritually awakened.)
http://www.yoshinoyama-sakura.jp/english/events.htm

Today,February 3,we have "Setsubun" ceremony here.
"Setsubun" is the bean-scattering ceremony celebrating the coming of spring.
On this day,almost all the Oni (demon or ogre) in Japan come to this Temple.
Actually,they were getting rid of a nuisance from everywhere in Japan,and they escaped and got as far as this Temple.
we throw beans toward Oni (demon or ogre),to drive away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them.
Then the Demons repents their sinful behavior,and they swear to turn over a new leaf.

This is Oni.(Demon)

Young people in this town disguise themselves as Oni today.

This is green Oni.

They have an iron rod in their hands to threaten people.

A brave child approached Oni fearfully,and is speaking to him.

This priest is blowing on a conch shell horn to drive Demons away.

Today musical concert was also held at this Temple.

After we go back home,

we ate sushi.

On this day,we Japanese people eat sushi.

It is our custom.

The ingredients are mostly seafood,like a sea urchin,sermon,a sea eel,etc.

They are so good.^ ^

Nishiki-Market (Kyoto) ②

This is famous hardware store in Nishiki Market, "Ari-tsugu".
This store is established in 1560,a long-established store.
These are copper handmade cooking utensils,like pans with a handle,saucepans,etc.
Great deal of labors are needed to make these handmade products.
(So they're a bit expensive.)

Their works need very careful attention....

This is a pottery store.

Their colorings are lovely..

This is Japanese sweets cafe.

You can have your choice of these sweets...

So many sweets for souvenir...

This is handmade craft doll shop,"Shouki-ya".

Please look at these cats,

they are the beckoning figure of a cat displayed in shops to bring in customers.

In Japan,cats are thought to bring us good luck.

All of these dolls are thought to bring us happiness in Japan.

For example,"Red Dharma" is thought to improve our fortune,

and "Frog" is thought to bring us a long life.

Can you see big "Sushi" crafts?

They're elaborately made handy crafts.

This is like real sushi.

As you see,"Nishiki-Market" is like a treasure island.

So please visit and make a lucky find here!

Map

Get off at Hankyu Kyoto line "Karasuma" station (Exit 16),

then walk for 3 minutes.

Nishiki Market is located near Hankyu Karasuma station (Exit 16).

Nishiki-Market (Kyoto)

Nishiki-Ichiba(Nishiki-Market) is the most famous marketplace in Kyoto,

located on a road one block north and parallel to Shijou-Street and west of Teramachi Street.

There are always so many people,including tourists here.

Here you'll find many kinds of pickles,Japanese sweets,fresh seafood,fresh vegetables,etc...

This marketplace is worth visiting.

http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/english/

So many people here...

This shop sells Japanese traditional bean snack.

These are lovely sweets...

These are soft Japanese sweets,called"Nama-gashi".

She is grinding Japanese pepper in front of her shop.

She is giving a demonstration now.

And please try these Kyoto pickled vegetables!

Kyoto pickled vegetables have an excellent reputation in Japan.

They're so good!

"Kyoto-Vegetables" are local harvest.

They are very popular among many people in Japan.

I found a nice restaurant, named "Mochitsuki-ya".

Please look at these dishes.

These are very look like real dishes,but they're not.

They're imitations!

In Japan,imitation dishes are often displayed in front of the shop,

They're like "menu". We can easily understand what kind of dishes we can eat in this restaurant.

This is appetizing...

These are yummy...
These are toasted rice cake,
covered with sweetend yellow soy bean flour,dried laver,
adzuki beans,and soybean paste.
Please try them.

To be continued....

David VillaーHope you'll soon recover

He is David Villa,Barcelona's star FW.
Unfortunately he broke his leg in the last Club World Cup (Japan) semi-final against Al-Sadd.
"He will be a long time. It's a big blow to the team.
We just hope that he can play again as soon as possible." his manager said.

Wish you a quick recovery.
See you in Munich at Champions League Final 2012.

New Year Japanese archery competition (Sanjuu-sangen-dou Temple,Kyoto)②

She fixes an arrow to a bow....

And draw a bow to the full...

They aim at these targets.

Hurry! It's my turn...