ICT wrap up - Kyoto in November

They say that Kyoto is best seen in October or November, and I can now agree with that statement.  Many of my ICT trips had military or political interest as well as cultural, but this trip was really just to take in the ancient and rich history of Japan's old capital, and also some new stuff!  There are some sights here that can't be seen anywhere else, hope you enjoy the pics and captions.

Heian Shrine front gate, very Chinese in design, one block from the condo we rented for the whole trip.

Barrels of sake, very Trappist in design (joke), to the right of the Heian Shrine front gate above.  They get serious about their Shrine worship!  Shrines are where traditional weddings are held, after all.

Hanging from the Heian Shrine front gate, the ropes and lightning bolts that signify the gods and spirits of power there.  These items are also worn by sumo wrestling grand champions (Yokuzuna).

Now turning from Heian Shrine, time to explore this shrine which is literally across the street from our condo building.  Follow along below for the next few pics...

Inside the first gate are several more gates leading between these two buildings...

Following the gates, we find ourselves in a quaint and clean alley of homes...(those are their front doors)

At last, after three corners, we come to the neighborhood shrine, kept immaculate.

The standard assortment of worship utensils complete our small journey across the street from our condo building.

On to a bit more grander sights.  This is the main gate into Nijou Castle, very historic and large castle grounds, famous throughout Japan.  Distinctive from the designs found at Heian Shrine, by comparison.

No photos were allowed inside Nijou Casle itself, unfortunately, but I bought this postcard of a scene we saw inside of these statues arranged in the Emperor's receiving room.  There were other sights on the grounds, but nothing too out of the ordinary.

An impressive pagoda along Chawanzaka (Teacup Hill), also close to our condo rental, with some nice blooms in front.

Chawanzaka from another angle, it actually got shoulder to shoulder busy within another hour.  Old style architecture, mostly shops selling just about everything distinctively Japanese.

In the same neighborhood, at Kiyomizu Temple, looking down from a balcony area on another part of the temple which boasts wonderful mineral water for drinking and praying about.

One of the more concentrated collections of Buddhist child spirit statues I have seen, on the Kiyomizu Temple grounds.  These children died at young ages for a variety of reasons, and are being remembered and prayed over now.

Still in the same basic area, different time, this skit is part of the Gion Corner culture theater.  This is a comedy piece about servants trying to drink up their master's sake.  Timeless.

The largest wooden temple gate in Japan at Chion-In, it leads to an extensive temple grounds.  You can also walk along the top level balcony of it, but with so many spotlights shining on you, the view and pic opps are not that great at night.

Candle vigils on the Chion-In grounds, reminded me of Catholic churches.

And now for something completely different...watching samurai dramas being produced at the Eiga Mura (Movie Village) studio grounds.  Very cool place, filled with historic building which you can walk all around and through provided they are not being used for filming.

Also at Eiga Mura, a ninja scoots along a wire, forward, then backward.  From a distance he really fools you, until you see him do it backward.

Last shots of the post, of the Nanzenji Temple grounds.  Can't really tell but this was on a Japanese holiday so the place was packed with people come to look at the foliage.  But everyone was so respectful it did not feel crowded.

One of my more favorite shots, of the wonderful fall colors inside one of the gardens.

Last shot, will leave you with a zen rock garden inside Nanzenji Temple.  Gaze and meditate, let me know if you have any deep thoughts!

Last wrap up post will be the December trip to Nagasaki.  See you there.