Lovely Tour in Kyoto

The other day we took a small trip to the eastern area (東山） of Kyoto. It was a beautiful autumn day.

A panoramic view from Awata Shrine on a small hill.

This is Sho-ren-in Temple ( literally means "Blue Lotus Temple"). Because of the close relationship with Imperial family, this temple has been known as Awata Palace.

In front of the temple, there are huge camphor trees. 

They look like guardians to protect this lovely temple.

As the temple name shows, Fusuma ( sliding doors) 

are decorated with stylized lotus flowers.

Its famous gardens are shrouded in refined and elegant atmosphere.

Soft green reflects in the polished wooden floor .

Through bamboo screens, scenery looks different.

Gyoja-bashi Bridge over River Shirakawa.  Gyoja means "a priest in ascetic practice".

The stone bridge is narrow enough for one person to pass.

 

 Gyoja in their 1000 days religious practice cross this bridge. That' s why this bridge is called "Gyoja-bashi Bridge". The mellow willows add even more profound taste to the river and the bridge.

Sin-monzen Street is lined with lovey antiques shops.

Can you guess what they are? All of them are charms made of roof tiles 

which are put on the entrance of a roof tile shop.

Tea Ceremony

We have held a tea ceremony occasionally. Anybody can join it.

 The other day, we had the tea ceremony in Daijo-in Teien Garden, a fabulous Japanese garden, with wonderful guests.

In a pond, there is a 100-year-old crape myrtle.

Sit down as you like and enjoy Japanese green tea
after having a sweet.

She is whipping the powdered  tea
with a split bamboo whisk to  create fine foams.
The tea ceremony is part of Japanese culture.

Let's share a wonderful moment of "One Time, One Meeting". 

We show you how to drink a tea and tell the interesting stories about tea ceremony.

It was hot. So we used a glass tea bowl
to produce the cooler feeling.

Fallen petals of crape myrtle flowers,
transience of seasons, transience of life

Enjoy the view and tea with us.

The next tea ceremony is held on 23rd October in this garden.
The fee is 500 yen.

BA・SA・RA, the end of summer

Every year at the end of August, two-day Basara Dancing Festival is held in Nara. This year 42 groups joined. It is not a dancing contest. The participants keep dancing, dancing, dancing and dancing. Long summer in Nara is gone with the end of the festival.

According to a calender, autumn started yesterday, September 1st. During daytime it is still hot. But at night, a hint of autumn in the air can be detected here and there - cool breezes, chirping grasshoppers or crickets under a beautiful moon.

Ceremony of Cleaning Great Buddha

Once a year, Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple takes a bath on August 7th.
About 150 priests, worshipers and volunteers clad in white gather to clean the Great Buddha and collect at least 10 buckets of dust.

You might think "Is this A Voyage to Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels"??

This is a good chance to see in person how huge the Buddha is! The Great Buddha is the largest bronze Buddhist statue in the world. Originally Buddha statue was cast in 752.

Enjoy Sunset in February Hall!

February Hall of Todai-ji Temple, which dates back to 752, is a popular sunset viewing spot. The hall stands on the hill overlooking Nara City and Ikoma mountains.

The hall is open all day long.

At night, all the lanterns are lit
 and the atmosphere gets subtle and profound.

Autumn Sky in Nara Park

Pampas grasses are reaching for autumn sky.
Dusk in Nara Park
Nara City is a blaze in a sunset.

Events around Nara Park (September 2011)

Around Nara Park:

Sept. 12(mon) Uneme Festival (Uneme Matsuri)
@Uneme Shrine by Sarusawa Pond
See a related entry for details: click here

Sept. 17(sat) The 17th Night (Jyuhichiya)
@February Hall in Todaiji Temple
18:00 ~ Ritual ceremony
18:30 ~ 21:00 Local Folk Dances (Bon Odori Dance)
18:30 ~ 21:00 February Hall area lit up with ca. 400 lanterns
17th day of a month is dedicated to a Buddhist saint, Kannon Bodhisattva. August 17th in the lunar calendar, which is roughly September 17th in the solar calendar, is especially celebrated. On this day, Todaiji Temple holds a ritual ceremony for Kannnon Bodhisattva at February Hall. After the ceremony and outside of the hall, there will be a crowd of people dancing local folk dances. Everyone is welcome to join the dance.

Sept. 17(sat) Live Charity Piano Concert by Suguru Matsutani
@ on a stage in front of Nara National Museum
See related entry for details: click here

Sept. 18(sun) Sake Festival 2011 by the Brewery of Harushika
10:00 ~ 16:00 @ S. Imanishi Co., Ltd in Naramachi area
Harushika is a popular local Sake brand brewed in old town area of Nara, Naramachi, by S. Imanishi Co., Ltd. This is the local sake brewery that we visit during our Afternoon Old Town Stroll for optional Sake-tasting. Sake Festival is admission free.

(Scheduled events at the Sake Festival)
=Special Sake you can buy only on this day at the brewery. (There will be a free Sake-tasting of this special Sake.)
=See Sake brewery. They open their actual workplace to brew Sake to visitors. (They are not brewing Sake at this time of year.)
=Food booths by local shops.
=A booth by Unicef. Part of proceeds of Sake Festival goes to Unicef.
...and more!

Sept. 19(mon) Longevity Festival (Chojyu-sai)
13:00 ~ @ Kasuga Grand Shrine
Third Monday of September, Sept. 19 for this year, is Respect-for-the-Aged Day. It is a day to thank elder members of society. On this day, Kasuga Grand Shrine offers Bugaku, traditional music and dance, to deities praying for longevity of elder people.

Sept. 17(sat) ~18(sun), Sept. 23(fri) ~ 25(sun) Night Time Opening of Kofukuji Temple National Treasure Hall
~ 20:30 @ National Treasure Hall in Kofukuji Temple
During these days, National Treasure Hall in Kofukuji Temple is open till 20:30.

Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays in Sept. Night Time Opening of Kofukuji Temple Eastern Golden Hall
17:00 ~ 19:30 @Eastern Golden Hall in Kofukuji Temple
Eastern Golden Hall in Kofukuji Temple is open till 19:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays in September.

Around Horyuji Temple and Nishino-kyo:

Sept. 12(mon) View Buddhist Statues Under the Moon of the Year (Kangetsu Bussan-e)
18:00 ~ 21:00 @Toshodaiji Temple
Moon around this time of year is thought to be most beautiful. It’s a season for moon viewing parties. At Toshodaiji Temple, they specially open the temple at night to view the moon with their masterpiece Buddhist statues. Admission to the temple is free. Admission to Mieido Hall is 500 yen.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide