A lady demonstrates calligraphy at Sanmon, one of the gates of the temple.

The gate, built in 1628, was donated by Tohdo Takatora, one of the feudal lords

of the 17th century.  The view of Kyoto from the second floor is superb. 

 

 This is the garden of Nanzenji called “Tora-no-ko-watashi”, which means that 

the stones in white sand show a mother tiger with her cubs crossing a river.

 

You can or may learn zen thought at this dry landscape garden constructed

only with rocks and sand.  

 

This is another garden next to Daihojo, in which there are painted sliding doors

that are designated as an important cultural property. 

 

A garden view from an elevated wooden corridor

 

Mayor and vice-mayor of Sausalito City at the main gate of Nanzenji 

 

 

There are many sub-temples called “Tacchu” in the grounds of Kennin-ji Temple. 

This is one of them, Ryosoku-in. 

This is the gate to Ryosoku-in. 

 

Eisai(Yosai), the founder of the Rinzai-sect Zen temple, brought back the seed

of tea from Song dynasty China in the 13th century.  This is the stone monument

telling about the introduction of tea into Japan.   

 

Hatto, built in 1765, is located in the center of the temple.  It is also called Nenge-do.

Soryu, dragons, are painted on the ceiling of the Hatto.   

One of the main buildings  

 

This is the priest of “Zenkyo-an”, another sub-temple of Kennin-ji.  Here we enjoyed

“Zazen”. 

     

 

They had a very good time.  

 

 

The first gate to Kiyomizu-dera, Niomon, designated as an Important

Cultural Property, is roofed with cypress bark.   

 

In the middle of the stone steps after going through the red gate to Kiyomizu,

Ms. Matsuno Patrick has found a stone on which her father’s name had been engraved.

 

This is a view of the three-story pagoda seen from the foot of it. 

This is also an Important Cultural Asset.

Kita-somon gate is an Important Cultural Property.

 

Jishu-jinja Shrine is just behind the main hall of Kiyomizu. 

 

The main hall, built on a mountainside using 78 pillars, was rebuilt in 1633 and

is designated as World Heritage site as well as a National Treasure.  It has a

famous 13-meter tall dancing stage, which offers a sweeping view of Kyoto.   

 

This is a view from Oku-no-in, an Important Cultural Property.  

 

 

Shariden Kinkaku, commonly called the Golden Pavilion, is located within

the temple precinct of Hokuzan-Rokuonji Temple in kyoto.

 

The second and the third floors, covered with gold leaf, are reflected in

the Kyokochi Pond.  And a mythological phoenix perches on the top of

the roof.  This is the Pure Land Paradise that Yoshimitsu Ashikaga imagined,

who was the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate in the 14th century.

 

 

Rikusyu-no-mastu is a pine tree shaped like a sail boat.  It is said to have

started from the Bonsai planted by Yoshimitsu.  

 

Anmintaku is is a pond which was made in the villa of Kintsune Saionji

who was a grand minister of state in Kamakura period. 

 

This is a tea house, Sekkatei.  Nandin is used for the alcove pillar of the house.

 

Sekkatei was built in Edo period.

 

Beautiful garden in the precinct of the Rokuonji

 

 

Nice people from the City of Sausalito, California 

 

 

 

Main Hall in Nagaoji Temple

 

Sanmon Gate

 

Unusual to have a bell in the Sanmon Gate 

 

Large Waraji located at the Sanmon Gate

 

Precinct of the temple

 

Red hydrangea in the precinct

 

Red and white hydrangea