Kobe and Kyoto

We were fortunate to stay in Kobe for the night. Today it is off for a two hour drive to the former capital of Japan, Kyoto.

We started at the Sanjusangen-do temple where there are 1,001 (yes over 1,000) statues of the Buddhist deity, Juichimen-senju-Sengen Kanzeon plus a large statue of Buddha. All of them housed in a huge temple hall. The temple was founded in the 12th century when 124 statues were originally made. A later fire destroyed the vast majority but several of the originals were saved from the fire. No cameras were allowed but I think you can get the idea from the pamphlet. The grounds were lovely.

Next stop was the Nijo-Jo castle which was established and remained in the feudal lord Tokugawa family from the beginning of its construction in 1601. In 1884, the castle became a Nijo Imperial Villa.

Tokugawa Ieyasu was designated Shogan of the territory and used this residence until it was taken over by the Emperor in 1867 at the end of the feudal period. The Shogan was credited with providing one of the longest periods of peace and prosperity. Photos were not allowed in the residence. It consists of six huge structures that combined provided meeting and ceremonial rooms with private quarters for the family. The Shogan sat in a raised area when meeting guests who all faced him looking up. The walls and ceilings were painted with nature as the theme. Many murals of pine trees, flowering plants and trees, birds and tigers. Japan does not have tigers so artist used models from Indian and Chinese paintings.

Onto lunch

Final stop for the day was Kinkaku-ji a Zin temple. The area was owned by “Yoshimitsu” the third Shogan of Ashoka’s who built his palace in 1397 with the golden stupa, “Kinkaku” at its center. A very iconic building and setting.

It was a long wonderful day.

Cheers and good night Joey.