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
Temples
Illuminated Autumn Leaves at Daigo-ji Temple
The ancient temple of Daigo-ji in the Fushimi ward of Kyoto, is currently opening at night to show off it's illuminated autumn colours. Though the leaves hadn't quite reached their peak when we visited at the weekend, they weren't far off and we were glad to get there before it got too crowded. Here are some pictures from our … [Read more...] about Illuminated Autumn Leaves at Daigo-ji Temple
Hydrangeas at Mimurotoji Temple
Here are some pictures from Mimurotoji Temple, in Uji which we visited last weekend. We were both very impressed with the expansive and very lovely gardens here. And the hydrangeas in all their many splendoured colours and varieties were amazing. These flowers are on display until July 15th (Monday) so there is still time to see them and the opening hours are 8:30 - 16.30. … [Read more...] about Hydrangeas at Mimurotoji Temple
The Stone Garden at Ryoanji
The vacant space of the garden, like silence, absorbs the mind, frees it of petty detail, and serves as a visual guide -a means for penetrating through the "realm of the multitudes." --- from "Stone Garden" by Will Petersen. My friend Chris Carver, recently lent me a copy of Jack Kerouac's The Dharma Bums and fairly early on in the book I found something, or rather … [Read more...] about The Stone Garden at Ryoanji
“Kyoto Uta Kiko” (Song Travels in Kyoto) — Rokuhara-mita Temple
Here's this month's poetry contribution from Keiji Minato: 枇杷の咲く路地抜け右へ折れましてまっすぐ行けば六波羅蜜寺 坪内稔典 Biwa no saku Roji nuke Migi e oremashite Massugu ikeba Rokuhara-mita-ji --- TSUBOUCHI Toshinori Passing through an alley where you see loquat blossoms and taking a right turn and then going straight gets you to Rokuhara-mita Temple 『京都うた紀行』 (Kyoto Uta Kiko ~ … [Read more...] about “Kyoto Uta Kiko” (Song Travels in Kyoto) — Rokuhara-mita Temple
