June 18, 2005: Japan 5
Tokyo and Kyoto are dotted with Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples- the way to tell them apart is by the gates (Shinto temples have those large Torii gates, while Buddhist temples tend to have more elaborate gates with statues of important dieties.) Some of the temples were insanely crowded with people making offerings, but others were completely serene. [Unrelated: thanks to everyone that came out for NYCPB4 last night- some pictures are already up on Flickr.]
Comments
Yeah that’s true, packed to the brim. Even in Kyoto it’s hard not to bump into crowds.
But there are many shrines, such as the World War II memorial in the pic, and many temples in Nara that are almost completely void of people. I wonder why that memorial is so vacant. Perhaps some people feel its weird visiting something like that, I don’t know…
It’s good that people visit and learn about what Japan has to offer, but sometimes the huge mobs of people take away a little of the beauty and tranquility.
The last shot is incredible. It looks as if Buddha is finally reaching enlightenment.
Jake,
can you tell me which temple is that on the third picture?
The third is impressive. Imagine how difficult to keep such a huge monuments in cleanness)
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