Fushimi Inari Shrine - Kiyomizudera Temple

Fushimi Inari Shrine

The Shinto Fushimi Inari Shrine was begun in 711. The five deities of this shrine represent the fundamental ancestral deities who protect the necessities of human life. The shrine serves as the protector for business and merchants as well as for rice, sake, farmers and their crops.
"The fox is considered the sacred animal of the five deities in that its bushy tail represents fruitful years of rice harvests while the precious stone in the mouth of some of the fox images represent the spirit of the deities. The key in the mouth of other such images stands for the key to rice granaries." according to the Walking Tours of Kyoto book.

As you walk through the shrine area you come to a continuous line of over 10 thousand vermilion tori gates donated to the shrine through the years. They wind up to the very top of the hill along a 2.5 mile walk up to the top of the mountain. There are breaks where side shrines and sacred stones are along the mountainside. Take a walk with us...

We walked about one mile of it and decided we had gotten the feel of the walk. As you get further along the path becomes steps that become steeper as you go. There are small rest areas along the way for refreshment or to purchase small tori gates to write wishes on and leave on special boards. It was a fun venture. Back down the hill and to the bus stop

These lovely ladies were at the bus stop.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

This temple dates back to 778 and it's present buildings constructed in 1633. There is not a single nail used in the construction. Kiyomizu means "clear or pure water" and takes its name from a waterfall on the premises.

These young students greeted us at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

To the left is the vermillion gate into the Shrine area.

This temple was loaded with people today! Thousands of students and quite a good number of tourists also.

Dragon Fountain for handwashing before entering Temple.

Statue of Budda's Mother

This hall is famous for it's "Kiyomizu Stage" built out over a 13' cliff.
Three-story Pagoda

another view of the Temple...

This area is undergoing a major renovation.

Otowa Waterfall is located at the base of Kiyomizudera's main hall. It has waters divided into three separate streams. The visitors use cups attached to long poles to drink from them. Each stream's water is said to have a different benefit, namely to cause longevity, sucess at school and a fortunate love life. However, drinking from all three streams is considered greedy.

We then headed back to the Heian Shrine area to the Kyoto Handicraft Center. They had several floors of handmade items.

M
Marquetry boxes.

A artist making dolls.

After wandering awhile we headed back to the hotel and stopped at our favorite ice cream shop after we got off the bus.

We have stopped here more than once and they are now greeting us "Welcome back again." :-) We went across to the hotel, had showers, downloaded some pictures and headed back to the train station for some dinner. Tried pasta tonight...quite good. Super day again!

Gion by Night - Geishas - Zen Dinner - Tea Ceremony

We gathered downstairs in our Hotel lobby for our traditional performances at Gion Corner and then a walk through the Gion district to our Zen Tempura Dinner and Tea Ceremony at Gion Yoshi-ima. We took immaculate taxis with white lace across the headrests to the Gion area of town where the Geishas are trained and work.

This is one of the traditional Geisha Training Schools in Kyoto.

We had a few minutes for some quick photos
while waiting for our group to reconvene.

Then into Gion Corner for our performances. Seven arts were featured and we have photos from a few. First was the tea ceremony,

then Japanese Harp...

Japanese Flower Arranging...

followed by Court Music with dancing...

Ancient Comic Play - very funny story about a man leaving

his valuable saki with his two servants.

Kyoto Style Dance...

a Puppet Play.

It was a very fun presentation of short samples of each art form.

Then off for a walk through Gion to our traditional Japanese meal.

Here we are...

Dinner was served shortly after we sat down...

Our Zen Tempura Dinner was composed of the following:
Tempura - Tofu, Yuba, Deep fried soybean paste, Fu, Mushrooms, Ginger, Sweet Potato, Lotus Root, Eggplant, Shiso leaf, Green pepper, pumpkin, kelp
Soup - Miso with tofu
Steamed rice with dried shiso
Green tea
It was delicious! Following dinner they gave a short talk and then they divided the group up and half went in for the tea ceremony and we went in for a short tour of the house and then to the waiting room for tea.
When the first group returned we walked out the door into awaiting shoes and walked over to the very small tea house. It was a little tricky with oversize slippers on damp rocks.

The entry was the small brown door under the brown line. They were traditionally low as all people were equals at a tea ceremony and all bowed to humble themselves upon entry.

The tea mistress (?) wiped all the cups with a new cloth.

Placed a small amount of powdered green tea leaves in the cup and then poured water into the cup. She then mixed it with a small bamboo wisk and then found the most beautiful view on the cup and turned it 1/4 turn two times and brought it to each person...thus the best view on the cup was facing you.

Very different tea...but quite good. We also had a
small sweet that was served with the tea.

During the whole process this young lady was explaining
about tea houses and traditions involved. She was delightful.

It was a wonderful evening. We returned to the hotel by taxi and hit the hay after a super day!

The Golden Pavilion - Ryoanji Temple - Ninnaji Temple

The Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) is properly called Rokuon-ji Temple. Three years after Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga abdicated the throne in 1394, he began to build Kitayamaden and he made a special effort to make it a breath-taking site. After his death it became a Zen temple in accordance with his will. The original gardens still remain as well as Kinkaku.
The building consists of three types of architecture. The 1st floor is palace style; the 2nd floor is the style of a samarai house and the 3rd floor is Zen temple style.

The Chinese Phoenix guards the building.
Today the crowds of students were even larger!
The details of the roof lines and ornamentation
are fascinating.

There was an older Japanese gentleman who was telling us about this tree (all one finely pruned tree). It began life as a bonsai tree, well loved and cared for. When it's owner died the tree was planted in the ground and has been there for 600 years. It is shaped like a ship facing the west.

More roof details..

Beautiful grounds...

More of the same questions :-)

Ryoanji Temple

After a somewhat congested wander through the grounds, we headed down the hill to the next temple - Ryoanji Temple. This was originally a country house of the Tokudaiji Clan. It was acquired in 1450 by Hosokawa Katsumoto for use as a Zen training temple. It was destroyed by fire in the late 1400s and was rebuilt in 1499. It is famous for its Rock Garden. This 25 x 10 meter garden is composed of only 15 rocks and white gravel. It continues to be cared for by the monks living here.

The entryways and gardens are meant for strolling
and meditating. There are many small wonderful additions to see...

a Buddha tucked away in a small alcove...

wonderful roof details...

small temples...

pagodas...

maple leaves on the gate entry...

small boathouse in pond...

laborers throughout the garden cleaning paths, pruning trees, weeding...

and in this temple a wonderful cherry grove...

protection for small trees...

tree supports for weeping cherry...

the weeping cherries were dropping their pedals
in the breeze...just like snow falling...exquisite!

camellias as well...

bell outside the temple...

removing our shoes to enter the temple with the Rock Garden

the Rock Garden...

wall drawing in the hall beside the Rock Garden...

lovely moss garden nearby...

After a wonderful couple of hours wandering we headed to

Nannaji Temple

Our final UNESCO World Heritage Site for the day was Ninna-ji Temple, completed in 888. The temple was destroyed by fire in 1467 and rebuilt 150 years later. Most surviving buildings date from the 17th century.

Five-story pagoda

Bell Tower...

Mie-do

Golden lotus flowers

After a short wander our time was short so we headed back to the hotel for a quick shower and rest before our night tour. It was a super day!!