In August I was in Uji one day and took the opportunity to visit the Byodo-in temple. As the pandemic has drastically reduced the number of tourists in Kyoto, I thought it was a good opportunity to view the famous Phoenix Hall minus the hordes of visitors that were there on my last visit - a good five years ago. Although this time there were a fair number of domestic tourists … [Read more...] about Byodo-in Without the Crowds
Temples
Azaleas at Myoman-ji Temple
Azaleas, (called very prettily tsutsuji in Japanese), are blooming all over Kyoto right now, but we won't be able to enjoy them for much longer. If you get a chance I recommend going to see the display of azaleas at the entrance to Myomanji in northern Kyoto. Here are some pictures I took there last year. The grounds here are quiet and pleasant but the most striking … [Read more...] about Azaleas at Myoman-ji Temple
Omuro Sakura at Ninna-ji Temple
This year's cherry blossom season was basically a washout, with many hanami parties cancelled because of the incessant rain. Ninna-ji Temple in western Kyoto, has a special variety of cherry blossom that blooms later than most, but when it was at its best last week, the rain was still coming down. Mewby and I resolved to defy the weather and visit the temple anyway. At least, I … [Read more...] about Omuro Sakura at Ninna-ji Temple
Fire Ceremony & Kyōgen Performance at Seiryō-ji on March 15th
Many temples hold special ceremonies on March 15th to commemorate the Buddha's death, or passing into Nirvana (Nehan 涅槃 in Japanese). One of the more spectacular and eventful commemorations is at Seiryō-ji temple in Saga. There are a number of reasons why you might want to attend this particular event. On this day only, entry to the temple interior is free. It has a … [Read more...] about Fire Ceremony & Kyōgen Performance at Seiryō-ji on March 15th
Greeting the New Year in Kyoto
For the last post of 2014, let us return to a piece first written by our good friend, John Dougill in 2010. That year I followed John's advice by paying a visit to both Kurodani and Shimogamo Shrine on New Year's Eve, and so I am reposting some photos from that night too. It had been snowing quite heavily on the 31st, so Kurodani in particular was really beautiful; all dressed … [Read more...] about Greeting the New Year in Kyoto
Kōtō-in – An Excerpt from “Deep Kyoto: Walks” by Joel Stewart
This month's extract from Deep Kyoto: Walks is taken from a very fine ramble by the artist Joel Stewart, titled "In Praise of Uro Uro". Uro uro is a Japanese expression for aimless wandering. Kōtō-in by Joel Stewart I really don't think much needs be said here about Kōtō-in, other than it's a real escape from the city, right in the city. And beside all the interesting … [Read more...] about Kōtō-in – An Excerpt from “Deep Kyoto: Walks” by Joel Stewart
Not Sure Which Way to Go – An Excerpt from Deep Kyoto Walks by Robert Yellin
In this extract from Deep Kyoto: Walks, Robert Yellin encourages us to seek chance and adventure along the Path of Philosophy… Not Sure Which Way to Go Let’s Get Lost on the Philosopher’s Path! ROBERT YELLIN One autumn twilight moment I was standing on a small bridge overlooking the Philosopher’s Path’s canal and saw a young couple staring at a map, eyes flittering … [Read more...] about Not Sure Which Way to Go – An Excerpt from Deep Kyoto Walks by Robert Yellin
Ghosts, Monkeys & Other Neighbours – An Excerpt from Deep Kyoto: Walks
Today I am posting a short excerpt from our ebook Deep Kyoto: Walks. In Ghosts, Monkeys & Other Neighbours, Bridget Scott meditates on her personal connection to her neighborhood on a well-worn stroll from Shisen-dō to Manshu-in… In Kyoto, the act of walking itself has taken on a new meaning for me. This awareness began over twenty years ago with my first butoh class: … [Read more...] about Ghosts, Monkeys & Other Neighbours – An Excerpt from Deep Kyoto: Walks
Cherry Blossom at Yoshiminedera
About a week ago, when the sakura was still blooming, we visited Yoshiminedera (善峯寺). This is a mountain temple to the west of Kyoto, and because it is a mountain temple, the air is cooler and the sakura blooms a little later than in the city. This is the sanmon entrance. It's huge. Here you pay your 500 yen entry fee. It's totally worth it. Beyond the entrance are … [Read more...] about Cherry Blossom at Yoshiminedera
The Ryōzen Kannon, Kyoto, 1958
...suppose there are immeasurable hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of living beings who are undergoing various trials and suffering. If they hear of this Bodhisattva Perceiver of the Word's Sounds and single-mindedly call his name, then at once he will perceive the sound of their voices and they will all gain deliverance from their trials. If someone, holding fast … [Read more...] about The Ryōzen Kannon, Kyoto, 1958
Zuishin-in ~ A Refuge in Ono
As I posted a piece on the autumn leaves at Daigo-ji last week, I thought I might post some pictures I took earlier this year at the nearby Zuishin-in. These pictures were taken in June; the season for irises and azaleas. I think this temple would be good to visit in any season though. It has a very special atmosphere. You can see a slideshow of the gardens through the seasons … [Read more...] about Zuishin-in ~ A Refuge in Ono
