An Old Temple in my Neighbourhood

[Shinpachi]

Thanks Wildcat!

 

[v2]

Great photos my friend!

 

[mudpuppy]

Great photos, Shinpachi! I am curious about the vivid colors used in the "Temple of the Four Kings" since the colors of the brother temple, Horyuji, is more subdued earth tones. Or at least the shots from the outside are.
Was the choice of color for the columns, windows and other structures of the temples related to the diety(ies) they honored...or could it be more a reflection of the local culture?

This may be a rather obscure question, but I always dig your "lessons" of Japanese culture.
Regards,
Derek

 

[Geedee]

Beautiful shots of that Temple, and the added comments about the structure and contents really add to the post. Many thanks for taking the time to share your heritage with us.

 

[GrauGeist]

I would love to someday visit sites like those temples.

Thanks again for sharing your photos, Shinpachi!

 

[buffnut453]

Hi Shinpachi,

This may be a dumb question but do people touch the dragon's head for luck? The head seems very shiny and worn compared to the rest of the statue. I only ask because I once saw a similar effect in Verona where there is a bronze statue of Shakespeare's Juliet - her right breast is shiny because people touch it in hopes of receiving some good luck.

Kind regards,
Mark

 

[Lucky13]

Stunning, beautiful, amazing are a few of the words that comes to my mind.....I need to get to Japan!

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

Great photos Shinpachi.
The architecture is extremely beautiful to me.


Wheels

 

[Shinpachi]

Thank you very much for enjoying my photos, v2, mudpuppy, Geedee, GG, buffnut453 and Lucky13.
I am glad to have so many comments. Yes, please try to visit Japan once.

And, yes, the visitors touch the dragon head and the ball wishing happiness and prosperity.
It is interesting for me to know the same manner for the Juliet statue, buffnut453

Your question is very academic, mudpuppy.
The basic paint for the Japanese temples or shrines are always red, green and white. I think its origin was in India or China though I do not know the relationship with the deities. Interesting to me, I find not a few 'no-paint' finish from the beginning. I believe it could have been a Japanese way when the old Japanese found another beauty in the wooden structure.

About ten years ago, a local sculptor of Buddhist image refused to paint his artwork of wooden Buddha statue.
He displayed his work of no paint in a colorfully painted new temple. It was totally mismatch

My photos will continue.
Thanks!

 

[Shinpachi]

Oh, Thank you very much too, wheelsup_cavu.
Please enjoy more photos of the temple garden
The last photo shows a warning "No enter the garden".

 

[mudpuppy]

Thanks for the reply.
Derek

 

[Shinpachi]

You are welcome, Derek!

Attached image shows the no-paint finish from the beginning.
I think this style of no-paint became popular after the 17th century when Confucianism was introduced because it emphasized simplicity and economy. This may be good for a Samurai residence but I wonder for a temple. It looks too simple for me to worship Buddha.

 

[Shinpachi]

These are metal works I found in the temple.

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

It always amazes me what they accomplished before "modern" equipment.
Beautiful pictures Shinpachi.


Wheels

 

[Shinpachi]

Thank you for watching my photos, Wheels

 

[Shinpachi]

Residents in the temple.
From old times, the turtle and the crane are symbols of the long life.
But no one try to touch its head to shine as the turtle may be so ferocious as to bite.

 

[vikingBerserker]

That's just beautiful!

 

[DBII]

No photos on my end...

DBII

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

More excellent shots Shinpachi. And I'm with you on being amazed at the detail that they accomplished with primitive tools. Most of what they accomplished had more detail then than what they can do now.

 

[Gnomey]

Excellent shots!