Illuminations

Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Nara
October 9, 2014
JTB Tour 2


A highly revered site by Shinto devotees, the Kasuga Taisha Shrine is famous for its thousands of lanterns. We proceeded to stroll here after touring the mind-blowing Todaiji Temple and Great Buddha Hall.  The Kasuga Grand Shrine is the most important Shinto shrine in Japan and one of the oldest.

Stone lanterns in Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Main entrance to Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Approaching the main entrance, you'll find stacked barrels of sake on the right hand side...

 

...And a wall of wooden plaques inscribed with Japanese prayers and dedications on the left hand side

"In Japan, there are two major religions: Buddhism and Shintoism. But at Christmas, everyone becomes a Christian," our JTB USA tour guide said with a wide grin.  On a serious note, she later explained that 80% of Japan's population practice Shinto.

The Kasuga Taisha is considered the head shrine of all 3,000 Shinto shrines in Japan. Shinto followers believe that spirits or "kami" exist in natural places such as animals, plants, stones, rivers, and mountains. It's no wonder the beautiful and serene grounds of this most celebrated shrine is purposefully located at the Kasugayama Primeval Forest.

The pathway leading up to the main hall is flanked by numerous stone lanterns, some swathed in moss.

The lanterns symbolically provide a guiding light, illuminating one's path in life.

I caught her taking a selfie by the row of stone lanterns. Adorable!

A variety of bronze and golden hanging lanterns

Numerous lanterns hang along the corridors of the complex

In many years past, all the lanterns were lit every evening. I could only imagine how spectacular it must be to see all the glowing lanterns here. Nowadays, they are only lit during two big annual festivals.

Lanterns abound leading up to one of the main buildings of the shrine.

Here, worshipers make offerings and pray for peace, happiness, and well-being.

Some of the donated stone lanterns that have accumulated over the years

Details on a stone lantern

Lined up like soldiers guarding the hall.

There are three main buildings in this shrine: the Haiden (Worship Hall), Heiden (Offering Hall), and Honden (Main Hall, which houses the kami). When we were here, the Main Hall was under restoration but you can find photos and learn more by visiting these helpful sites:

Japan Guide
About Kasuga Taisha
Japan Travel



This story continued from Daibutsu and Divine Messengers.

Daibutsu

Great Buddha
Todaiji Temple, Nara
October 9, 2015
JTB Tour 2

The Nara Daibutsu or the Great Buddha of Nara

Inside the Todaiji Temple's main hall, the prominent Nara Daibutsu or Great Buddha of Nara is an incredible sight to behold.  On an elevated stage directly in front of it was a group of monks chanting. They were rehearsing for an important prayer event.

Here's a short video clip.

The monks working hard in preparation for a special occasion.

The lower platform is neatly laden with tatami mats and instruments.

I was in awe of the large statue. With my eyes, I traced its every intricate detail. Behind its bronze body is a shiny gold backdrop embellished with tiny buddha figures. I'm guessing it's the halo.

To give you an idea of the enormous size:  the bronze lotus petal next to the Great Buddha is 10 feet tall.

With this photo, you can gauge the enormity of this building and the Great Buddha.

The Vairocana Buddha is the Todaiji Temple's chief object of worship. It is known to be the "Buddha that shines throughout the world like the sun." Though it has been damaged several times due to fires or earthquakes, it has always been repaired. It's astounding to realize that the current statue dates back to 1692.

For scale, I took this picture showing tourists taking photos of the Great Buddha.

Seated next to the Great Buddha is a Bodhisattva or enlightened one, known to help people overcome their obstacles.

To the left of the Great Buddha is Kokuuzo Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of wisdom and memory.

Look at the exquisite and gilded back side of the Bodhissattva statue.

One of the most imposing statues inside the hall is the a highly detailed wooden carving of Koumokuten, a Celestial guardian and protector of Buddha's realm.

The giant statue of the guardian Koumokuten is a detailed wooden carving.

Near this giant statue is the popular "healing pillar." The wooden pillar has a small opening where visitors endeavor to crawl through. If successful, one is believed to find lasting enlightenment and a guaranteed place in heaven.

The Great Buddha Hall or Daibutsuden, the largest wooden structure in the world.

The Daibutsuden has also been destroyed many times in the past because of fires of war and natural disasters. But it was always rebuilt to house the Great Buddha. The current building is only about 1/3 smaller than the original, yet it is the world's largest wooden structure.

A closer look at the Octagonal Lantern, one of the oldest treasures of the temple.

 

The monks walking back to the monastery after their rehearsal.

 

Some fun facts:

Great Buddha Hall
Height = 159.89 feet

Great Buddha
Height of Body = 48.91 feet
Length of Head = 17.39 feet
Length of Eye = 3.34 feet
Length of Ear = 8.33 feet

Octagonal Lantern
Height = 15.15 feet

This story continued from Divine Messengers

Divine Messengers

Nara Deer Park
October 9, 2014
JTB Tour 2

Considered messengers of the gods, the deer wander freely in Nara.

"You should also go to Nara where you'll find a thousand roaming deer," my friend recommended after learning about my plans to visit Japan. My eyes bloomed with excitement. "Join a tour," she added. "They come out cheaper. You'd be surprised."

The great thing about JTB USA is that you can build your own tour schedule. After the morning tour of Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, I chose to continue to nearby Nara in the afternoon. And that was after a delicious traditional Japanese lunch!

Our sumptuous tempura lunch after the morning tour.

Soon as we entered Nara Park, there they were: the beautiful and tame creatures... everywhere. In Shinto religion, they are considered divine messengers and regarded as sacred. Here in Nara, they are protected as natural treasures. It is forbidden to kill them.

My hubby went to buy crackers to feed the deer. Not the greatest idea. Multiple deer followed him and aggressively went after the food in his hand. It was hysterical to watch him get "attacked" as we made our way towards the Todaiji Temple.

The deer nudging Alan for more crackers.

Alan couldn't decide which one to feed first.

They followed Alan all the way to the Nandaimon Gate.

This sweet one gladly posed with me.

A towering wooden structure called Nadaimon Gate stands over the entrance path towards the famous temple. On each end is a tall intimidating statue thought to keep watch over the gate.

Each of the guardian statues of the Nadaimon Gate is about 26 feet tall.

Past the gate, the sprawling grounds are impressive and made even more picturesque by the ubiquitous wild sika deer.

Another lovely one, relaxing by the pond.

I call this the doorway to the temple's expansive compound.

Built in 752, the Todaiji Temple serves as a place of prayer for peace. The main hall, also called Daibutsuden, is the world's largest wooden structure with a height of about 160 feet.

The Daibutsuden or Great Buddha Hall

The colossal building seems to be two stories with its two roof-like formation.

Details on the massive doors

 

The bronze Octagonal Lantern which is as old as the original temple built in 752.

The Great Buddha Hall houses the 49-foot Vairocana Buddha, one of Japan's largest Buddha statues. Made of bronze and copper, the Daibutsu or Great Buddha weighs 250 tons.

The Vairocana Buddha was made from cast bronze and then plated in gold.

More photos of the Great Buddha Hall and the Vairocana Buddha in my next post. For now, I'd like to share more photos of the temple grounds and the adorable divine messengers.

Another view of the Great Buddha Hall

At the temple grounds of Todaiji Temple

He found his special place. Can you spot him?

Just chillin'

There's a lot of interesting facts surrounding the Todaiji Temple. You can learn more about it here.


This story was continued from Palace Restored. Heritage Preserved. 

Palace Restored. Heritage Preserved.

Kyoto Imperial Palace
October 9, 2014
Part Three of JTB Tour 1


Steeped in culture, the beloved Kyoto was Japan's capital for over 1,000 years. The Kyoto Imperial Palace was the residence of the Imperial family until the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1869. I feel so fortunate to have visited this historic site.

Behind me is the iconic Shishinden, the ceremonial hall of the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Alan in front of the Oikeniwa Garden's tranquil pond with the Keyakibashi Bridge in the background.

Located in Gyoen park, the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds are enclosed by a massive wall. The entire area, which spans approximately 27 acres, is filled with magnificent structures that display Japan's architectural styles and cultural heritage.

Sheishomon Gate, the main entrance gate

Once again, I was glad that we booked this tour through JTB USA. They took care of securing the required visitor's permits. Otherwise, we would have had to apply for entry and risk not getting permission on that same day.

Before entering the palace grounds, our JTB tour guide asked the group to form a line with rows of four people. For a moment, I felt as though I was in the military. I glanced at the roofed perimeter wall. It seemed to go on forever.

The Kyoto Imperial Palace is surrounded by a massive roofed earthen wall.

I couldn't help notice how spotless it was here. I wish the rest of the world would adopt the Japanese way of keeping surroundings perfectly clean.

The Okurumayose entrance used by official visitors granted permission to enter the Palace precincts.

The tour guide led us to the Shodaibunoma building. It was used as a waiting area by dignitaries paying official visits to the Palace. The dignitaries were ushered into three separate ante rooms depending on their rank. The rooms are arranged from highest rank (east) to lowest (west).

Each room is easily identified by the paintings on the sliding panels or fusuma:
     1.  Highest ranked room = Toranoma (Tiger Room)
     2.  Second highest ranked room = Tsurunoma (Crane Room)
     3.  Third highest ranked room = Sakuranoma (Cherry Room); also called the Shodaibunoma

The separate waiting rooms of the Shodaibunoma

The Cherry Room, the third highest ranked room.

The second highest ranked room is the Crane Room with cranes depicted on the sliding doors.

The most commanding structure is the Shishinden. As the Hall for State Ceremonies, it is where they held important ceremonies such as the Emperor's coronation. It is fronted by a pristine garden of white gravel.

Shishinden, the main building, with a courtyard laid with white gravel

View from another entrance into the Shishinden

This ceremonial hall is a one-story wooden building with a roof made of hiwada or layers of cypress bark. Our tour guide explained that it takes several cypress strips (did she say a thousand?) to create just one square meter of hiwada roof.

The large and ornate gates were also eye-catching. This one is adorned with a distinctive detail: the chrysanthemum seal, a crest used by the Japanese Imperial family. Can you find it in this photo?

Just one of the tremendous gates of the palace. This is the Kenreimon Gate.

Then there's the Shunkoden or the Sacred Mirror Hall. See how it has a different roof? Its roof is made of copper plates instead of the typical cypress bark layers. This structure was specifically built to house the sacred mirror during the enthronement of Emperor Taisho in 1915. (In Buddhism, the mirror is a significant symbol of man and the universe).

The Shunkoden or Sacred Mirror Hall

Another favorite scenic spot is the strolling garden called Oikeniwa Garden. It features the beautiful Keyakibashi Bridge across a serene pond. This garden is absolutely stunning!

The Keyakibashi Bridge that stretches across the pond of the strolling garden.

The breathtaking pond of Oikeniwa Garden features an artificial shoreline.

And finally, we marveled at the Otsunegoten, the largest building here. It has 15 rooms and became the main residence of the emperors from the 16th century until the capital was transferred to Tokyo.

The impressive Otsunegoten

A close look at the painted sliding doors inside one of the Otsunegoten rooms.

At the end of the tour, we were each handed a paper amulet -- a slip of paper inscribed with Japanese characters representing luck. "These are only good for one year," our tour guide teased. "To renew, you must come back for another visit."


Continued from Golden Reflections (Kinkaku-ji Temple).