Some photos from Japan
- Thread starter Toche
- Start date
I had the chance to visit a place that I find extraordinary. 
It is the Saihoji also known as Kokedera or more commonly known as the moss temple.
It is located in the west of Kyoto.
I arrived there in autumn and I was able to enjoy the light of this season as well as the shimmering colors.
It is a place that invites to meditation, the monks plunge you in the atmosphere as soon as we arrive by inviting the visitors to participate in a Buddhist ceremony during which the monks recite a prayer. During this time, the visitors have to copy a sûtra in kanji.
A sutra is a writing of Buddha's teachings.
One should not be afraid of not mastering the Japanese language.
Afterwards, the monks distribute a small wooden slat called gomagi during the ceremony and the chanting.
On it, the visitors are invited to write a vow. The writing time does not exceed five minutes.
Once the vow is copied on the wooden slat, it is given to the monks who will burn it during a prayer, explaining that it is the smoke of this fire which will transmit the vows to the deities.
This ceremony allows us to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Koke-dera which is an invitation to meditation.
Some personal advice, be respectful of the place, silence is required.
Take your time and let the hurried visitors go before you.
Soak up the atmosphere.
Personally, I visited this place twice, each time I did two tours of this garden.
The first time to visit and take pictures and the second time when the most hurried and often noisy visitors have already left the place to soak up the atmosphere of the place.
This temple and especially its garden are really worth a visit, it is also listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
If you have the opportunity to go to Kyoto, you should not miss the opportunity to visit this garden.
Be careful, the visit is not free +/- 26.46 USD, and you have to book the visit in advance.
Here are two links that will give you all the necessary information.
http://saihoji-kokedera.com/en/about.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3937.html
I hesitated to show you all the pictures that are going to follow, there are maybe too many, but I told myself that those who don't like them, don't have to look at them.
To be continued.
It is the Saihoji also known as Kokedera or more commonly known as the moss temple.
It is located in the west of Kyoto.
I arrived there in autumn and I was able to enjoy the light of this season as well as the shimmering colors.
It is a place that invites to meditation, the monks plunge you in the atmosphere as soon as we arrive by inviting the visitors to participate in a Buddhist ceremony during which the monks recite a prayer. During this time, the visitors have to copy a sûtra in kanji.
A sutra is a writing of Buddha's teachings.
One should not be afraid of not mastering the Japanese language.
Afterwards, the monks distribute a small wooden slat called gomagi during the ceremony and the chanting.
On it, the visitors are invited to write a vow. The writing time does not exceed five minutes.
Once the vow is copied on the wooden slat, it is given to the monks who will burn it during a prayer, explaining that it is the smoke of this fire which will transmit the vows to the deities.
This ceremony allows us to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Koke-dera which is an invitation to meditation.
Some personal advice, be respectful of the place, silence is required.
Take your time and let the hurried visitors go before you.
Soak up the atmosphere.
Personally, I visited this place twice, each time I did two tours of this garden.
The first time to visit and take pictures and the second time when the most hurried and often noisy visitors have already left the place to soak up the atmosphere of the place.
This temple and especially its garden are really worth a visit, it is also listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
If you have the opportunity to go to Kyoto, you should not miss the opportunity to visit this garden.
Be careful, the visit is not free +/- 26.46 USD, and you have to book the visit in advance.
Here are two links that will give you all the necessary information.
http://saihoji-kokedera.com/en/about.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3937.html
I hesitated to show you all the pictures that are going to follow, there are maybe too many, but I told myself that those who don't like them, don't have to look at them.
To be continued.
Mayank
Chumono
What is? The Wisteria or Charles?
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
I guess I’d have to see them side-by-side.
TinyArt
Chumono
There's a wonderful atmosphere to these photos -- thank you so much for sharing!
Not quite as good as being there, but as close as I will ever get. Thanks for sharing!.
I was intrigued by this gardener's work.
I approached him to see what he was doing.
I was surprised to see that he was removing old pine needles.
As I continued my journey, I could see that this was a very common practice in the parks in Japan.
In a park, I could even see that they were using a crane with a basket to do this work.I was intrigued by this gardener's work.
Attachments
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
So many of these pictures, posts 91-95, resemble areas around Door County (the knuckle through tip of the “thumb” of Wisconsin) that I frequent.. just with differing VARIETIES of trees, people and structures.... the river.. and tended viewing stones are fantastic, thank you, again, for sharing.
We like nature.. lots.
Hehe! Naaah!
We like nature.. lots.
Crazy Diamond
Omono
Its amazing the moss in japanese gardens, the culture and care of moss is an art itself in the japanese culture
Enfield Snapper
Mame
I almost went when I was in Japan back in about 2008. I ended up not being able to at the time. I still want to go, but I haven't been able to make it back to Japan.
TinyArt
Chumono
Love the low-angle light and long shadows in the sequence above --
-- and the confirmation of my suspicions about meticulous gardeners!
-- and the confirmation of my suspicions about meticulous gardeners!
