Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Kyoto
by Dave Kennard
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Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Kyoto |
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The Higashi Hongan-ji (東本願寺) temple complex in the Shimogyo-ku ward of Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded in 1602 as part of a plan by the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to split the Shin Buddhist sect in two and reduce its influence. Higashi Honganji became the head temple of the Otani-ha branch, while the nearby Nishi Honganji temple became the headquarters of the Hongan-ji branch.
None of the original temple buildings of Higashi Hongan-ji survive, in 1864 a large fire destroyed all buildings and the treasures they contained. The majority of the temple structures today date from between 1879 to 1911. The main hall, Goei-do is the largest wooden structure in Kyoto, and the second largest in Japan.
교토역은 보고 있는 것만으로도 황홀하다. 옥상까지 곧게 이어진 에스컬레이터는 교토에서 가장 멋진 것으로 정평이 나있다. 옥상의 전망대에는 쾌적한 휴게시설이 갖추어져 있다.
がん封じ、お参りは因幡薬師へ因幡堂（平等寺）
이 불전은 33 칸으로 만들어져 있는 매우 큰 규모의 건물이다. 천수관음을 모시는 사찰로 본당안에는 1001개의 황금빛 천수관음이 나란히 도열하고 있다. 중앙에는 높이 3.4m 규모...
This is a panorama taken at Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum in Kyoto, Japan.In the fan-shaped garage ...
This is a panorama taken at Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum in Kyoto, Japan.The garage built in 1914 ...
The eight islands of Japan sprang into existence through Divine Intervention.
The first two gods who came into existence were Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, the Exalted Male and Exalted Female. It was their job to make the land for people to live on.
They went to the bridge between heaven and earth and, using a jewel-encrusted halberd, Izanagi and Izanami churned up the sea into a frothy foam. As salty drips of water fell from the tip of the halberd the first island was formed. Its name was Onogoro.
So far, so good. But when Izanagi and Izanami first met on their island, Izanami spoke to Isanagi without being spoken to first. Since she was the female, and this was improper, their first union created badly-formed offspring who were sent off into the sea in boats.
The next time they met, Izanagi was sure to speak first, ensuring the proper rules were followed, and this time they produced eight children, which became the islands of Japan.
I'm sure you did not fail to miss the significance of this myth for the establishment of Japanese formal society.
At present, Japan is the financial capital of Asia. It has the second largest economy in the world and the largest metropolitan area (Tokyo.)
Technically there are three thousand islands making up the Japanese archipelago. Izanagi and Izanami must have been busy little devils with their jewelled halberd...
Japan's culture is highly technical and organized. Everything sparkles and swooshes on silent, miniaturized mechanisms.
They're a world leader in robotics, and the Japanese have the longest life-expectancy on earth.
Text by Steve Smith.
