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!