Daibutsu (the great Buddha)

This image was cast in 1292; it was housed in a shrine that was washed away in a tidal wave in 1495; since then it has been in the open. Very, very impressive and peaceful to look at.

I kept hearing a song out of Judas Macabbeas in my head (I guess because I'd been playing it during Hanukkah)--

Never bow we down oh never bow we down no never bow we down/
to the rude stock/
or sculptured stone/
but ever worship Israel's God/
ever obedient to his awful nod...

Hase-dera (Kamakura)

The rows of little images are of Jizo (a bodhisattva, who takes care of children, particularly aborted, stillborn, or miscarried children).

Ginkakuju (Temple of the Silver Pavilion)

Philosopher's path (Tetsugaku no michi)

Of course, I'd visualized a very pristine, secluded path. In fact, it goes through a residential area, and there are a lot of shops on the northern end, including one selling Native American tchotchkes from Sedona. I was surprised to see narcissus blooming (it seemed so early). I have no idea what the sign above with the rat & mouse is about.

Nanzen-ji

(picture of the Sanmon -- gate-house-- from the www) -- there was a steep flight of steps I didn't have the courage to climb, but the large group of elderly Japanese tourists trundled up them just fine). I couldn't find any pix of the 16th century screens from the abbot's house, which were v. beautiful (but I got pretty chilled walking around shoeless looking at them.)

Kiyomizudera (name means something like Pure water)

(Picture of the main pavillion from the www -- none of my pix were that clear).

I took a wrong turn and approached Kiyomizudera through a vast cemetary, rather than through the steep cobbled street lined with snack & souvenir shops that most people took. The grounds were full of "families"of weathered stones, each with its bright bib.

Drinking water from the springs is supposed to bring health, longevity, academic success. (I didn't). I did take off my shoes & descend into a (pitch dark) cave where you follow a chain of wooden beads until you come to an ancient stone (lit from above), with the Sanskrit rune for "heart".

Sanjusangendo (Kyoto, next to the Grand Hyatt)

The name starts with the Japanese for 33, alluding to the 33,033 arms (33/ statue, 1,001 statues) ofKannon. Some of the images date from the 13th century.

Yoji-josuiku (incantations using willow stick) was being held the day I visited, along with Toh-shiya, where 2,000 young people (who came of age the previous week) visit, participating in an archery contest. (photography not permitted inside the sanctuary -- the photo of the images is from the web)

Suitengu (next to hotel)

Suitengumae is the name of the subway station next to the Royal Park Hotel, where I was staying. It means "before Suitengu", where Suitengu is a shrine people visit in hopes of easy childbirth. Touching this dog is supposed to protect both mother & child.

It was rainy & cold when I visited, but bunches of families were there with their children.

I went there thinking how grateful I was that my children were long since born healthy and I'd seen them grow up, and that they were out dealing with the wide, wide world.