KYOTO COLUMN

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2021.04.15

Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu and Edison Memorial

April 18 is Invention Day.On April 18, 1885, 'Monopoly Patent Ordinance,' which was the predecessor of the current 'Patent Act,' was promulgated.It is said that the Japanese patent system started with this.After that, on April 18, 1954, "Invention Day" was established by the Institute of Invention and Innovation.When it comes to inventions, Thomas Alva Edison probably comes to mind for many people.Inventor Edison created about 1,300 inventions in his lifetime.Actually, Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine that I introduced the other day has a lot to do with an invention of Edison.Edison says he has been experimenting with extending the life of incandescent carbon bulbs since around 1878.At that time, cotton was used for the filament, but the drawback was that the life of the light bulb was short.One day, Edison found a Japanese fan in his laboratory and made a prototype filament for a light bulb using the bones of the fan.The bone is made of bamboo, which is thick and strong, and has been able to prolong the life of light bulbs.In search of the best bamboo, Edison sends researchers to various countries and a researcher visits Japan.In Kyoto, the researcher met the bamboo of Otokoyama where Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine is located.Yahata's bamboo filament light bulbs have the longest life among all the bamboo collected from around the world.It is said that it kept lighting for more than 1,000 hours on average!Japanese bamboo kept illuminating America until the filament of the electric bulb cellulose was invented.Because of this, a monument of Edison was built in the precincts of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine.The Edison Birthday Celebration is held on February 11 and the Edison Memorial Celebration is held on October 18.Edison Ema (votive picture tablet) is also unique!There is a street named "Edison Street" in front of Keihan Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine.There are also statues of Edison and objects of bamboo and incandescent light bulbs. It is truly a town of Edison and bamboo!"Cafe CANDLE" on Edison Street is also known as "Otokoyama Edison Association".In the store, Edison's materials that the owner collected are displayed.Unfortunately, it was a regular holiday, but I would like to visit again.It's good to think about Edison's invention while drinking coffee.Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine30 Yawata Takabo, Yawata-city, Kyoto20 minutes walk from Keihan Iwashimizu Hachimangu Station via Omotesandocafe CANDLEYawata Takabo, Yawata-city, KyotoNear Keihan Iwashimizu Hachimangu StationHere is for the official website of cafe CANDLEHere is for Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine and the statue of Boy Scout

BLOGWalking

2021.04.13

Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine and the statue of Boy Scout

In January 2021, we introduced the Boy Scout's Anniversary at Kyo-chishin.This is a universal anniversary, and this time we will introduce Japan's unique Boy Scout Day.April 13 is the day the Boy Scouts of Japan was established.It started on this day in 1922 as "Shonendan Nihon Renmei".In Kyoto, the Boy Scouts are active and famous shrines and temples have become the headquarters of the Boy Scouts.One of them is Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine in Yawata City.In 2016, 10 buildings of the main shrine including the main shrine of Hachiman-dukuri and 3 tsuketari munafuda were designated as national treasures.It is counted as one of the three great Hachiman-gu shrines in Japan, and the main shrine is located in Otokoyama.To get to the main shrine, it is common to walk on Omotesando from Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Station on the Keihan Electric Railway.It takes about 20 minutes to climb the stone steps of Omotesando passing through Ichinotorii, Tonguden, Ninotorii and Sannotorii.The greenery is deep and very pleasant in this season, so please visit the shrine with enough time and energy.There are many highlights in the precincts, and a Boy Scouts statue stands in Shinen Square.He is said to be saluting towards the water tower "Yuhoto" in the center of Shinen Hiroba.There is no name or description of the statue, so if you don't know it, you might think, "Who?".It is made by a Boy Scouts group based in Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine, and it has a strong connection.Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine30 Yawata Takabo, Yawata-city, Kyoto20 minutes walk from Keihan Iwashimizu Hachimangu Station via Omotesando.Here is for Boy Scouts in Kyoto and the "そなえよ つねに (Be Prepared)" stone monument

BLOGWalking

2021.04.09

Spring special temple treasure exhibition

In "KYOTO CHISHIN" the other day, we introduced Shinnyo-do's "Great Nirvana Painting Special Exhibition" (the exhibition is over).This time, I would like to introduce "Spring Special Temple Treasure Exhibition" which is being held at Honpoji until Thursday, April 15.The most notable is the "Hasegawa Tohaku Dai-nehan zu Kaicho" (painting of the great nirvana of Tohaku HASEGAWA).The Butsu Nehan-zu at Honpo-ji Temple is known as one of the three great Nehan-zu in Kyoto.It is said that this was dedicated by Tohaku HASEGAWA, a painter who was active from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the early Edo period.It is about 10 meters long and 6 meters wide, and it is a nationally designated important cultural property.Usually a replica of Butsu Nehan-zu is on display, but you can appreciate Tohaku's calligraphy at the Spring Special Temple Treasure Exhibition.This spring, paintings such as "Juroku Rakan-zu" by Mincho and "Kacho-zu," which is said to have been painted by Dong Qichang, will be on display.It is said that Tohaku, who was born in Ishikawa Prefecture, moved to Kyoto and made Honpoji Temple his base of activities.It is also the family temple of the Honami family and has a connection to the artist Koetsu Hon-ami who was active during the same period.The "三巴の庭 (Three Tomoe Garden)" that is said to have been created by Koetsu is also a must-see, and is a dry landscape garden that is designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty.A bronze statue of Tohaku stands on the grounds of the temple and the 光悦翁手植之松 (Koetsu ou Teue no Matsu : Koetsu's pine tree) is planted beside it.Why don't you take this opportunity to see them and temple treasures?Honzan Eishozan Honpo-ji Temple617 Honpojimae-cho, Teranouchi Agaru, Ogawa-dori, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City3 minutes walk from Horikawa-Teranouchi City Bus stopSpring special temple treasure exhibitionPeriod: Monday, March 22 to Sunday, April 15Time: 10 o'clock to 16 o'clockAdmission: 1,000 yen for adults / 600 yen for junior high and high school students / Children below elementary school age are free.

BLOGWalking

2021.04.06

"Great Buddha Day" and "Afro Buddha Statue"

April 9 is Great Buddha Day.The name was derived from a ceremony to consecrate a newly made Buddhist image of the Great Buddha that was held at Todaiji Temple in Nara on April 9th, 752.That is the day when the famous "Great Buddha of Nara" was completed.The Great Buddha is generally a standing statue of Buddha with a height of over 4.85 meters.In Kyoto, there is a small Buddha statue whose spiral hair is attracting attention.'Gokoshiyuiamidabutsu' of Kurodani Konkai Komyo-ji Temple.It is also called 'Afro Butsuzo (Afro Buddha Statue)' in recent years because it has such large hair (spiral hair) that it overlaps.Goko is such a long period of time that one's hair grows long and piles up high.In addition to the goshuin on the Afro Buddha Statue, original products such as the "Afro Kompeito" are also popular with visitors.At Kurodani Konkai Komyo-ji Temple, there is also a colorful 'Hana-Chozu' (flower wash).Among them were ducks and turtles, whose heads had snail-shaped hair!?Are these ducks and turtles also going to spend a mind-boggling amount of time in training?The "Kurodani Konkai Komyo-ji Temple" is affectionately called by locals as "Kuro-dani-san".It is the first temple of the Jodo sect that originated in 1175 when Honen Shonin left Mt. Hiei and built a thatched hut.It was chosen as the headquarters of 1,000 people of Aizu domain of Kyoto Shugoshoku at the end of Edo period, and it is also known as the birthplace of Shinsengumi.The cherry blossoms in the grounds are the last to be seen, but the season of fresh green is also very beautiful!Kurodani Konkai Komyo-ji Temple121 Kurodani-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City10 minutes walk from the Okazaki-michi, City bus stop

BLOGWalking

2021.03.31

Arches of cherry blossoms

Shinnyo-do (Shinsho Gokuraku-ji Temple) was introduced in "Kyoto Chishin" the other day.Kyoto Kaguraoka Munetada Shrine, located west of the Shinnyo-do temple gate, is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot known only to those who know it.During this season, there are arches of cherry blossoms at the end of the torii gate of Main approach, and we can see Mt. Daimonji from the top of the stone steps.Torii is also called 'Munetada Torii' after the name of this shrine, and is one of the main styles of torii in Japan.In addition, there are many things to see, such as the guardian dogs standing on their heads to welcome visitors in front of the torii gate.Kyoto Kaguraoka Munetada-jinja Shrine was built in 1862 to enshrine Kurozumikyo founder Munetada KUROZUMI in Okayama Prefecture.Therefore, it is said that the komainu standing on its head is made of Bizen ware, a specialty of Okayama Prefecture.The Bizen-ware guardian dogs are rare in Japan, but it is still a mystery why they were made.In addition, at the shrine office, the white dog Koro, who is loved as "a living guardian dog" greets you.If you like dogs, why don't you visit the shrine to see guardian dogs and loyal dogs?You can also visit the shrine online, so you can pray at home.Reservations are required, so please check the official website of Kaguraoka, Kyoto Munetada Shrine.The cherry blossom arches are also on the approach to Takenaka Inari Shrine, opposite the north gate of Kyoto Kaguraoka Munetada Shrine.The red torii and stone torii that go up to the main shrine and worship hall are colored with pale pink cherry blossoms.It is a subordinate shrine of Yoshida Shrine, but it was once independent and it is said to be built earlier than Yoshida Shrine.You can see Mt. Daimonji from the precincts of Takenaka Inari Shrine, too.Kyoto Kaguraoka Munetada-jinja ShrineYoshida Shimoojicho, Sakyo-ward, Kyoto-city, Kyoto10 minutes from Kinrin Shako-mae City bus stop

BLOGSouvenior

2021.03.29

A famous confection of Kyoto "花供曽 (Buddha's booger)"

"Dainehan-zu (Great Nirvana) Special Exhibition" is being held at Shinnyo-do Temple (Shinsho Gokuraku-ji Temple) until Sunday, April 4.We can see the richly colored Dainehan-zu, which is 6 meters long and 4 meters wide, painted during the Hoei era in the Edo period.The death of Buddha is called 'entering nirvana,' and the image of nirvana is a representation of his death.Do you know the "花供曽" that is given to those who have seen the "Great Nirvana painting special exhibition"?花供曽 is read "Hanakuso (booger)" and is a famous confection of Kyoto that is said to bring good health.It is said that the word 'Hanakugo,' which means offerings to the Buddha, was changed to 'Hanakuso.'.It is unique rice crackers as there is a theory that people receive merit by "Buddha's booger".Shinnyo-do temple's "Hanakuso" is made at rice cracker shop "Kyo no Osendokoro Tamaruya" and is sold at stores in all seasons.Contrary to the name, it has an elegant taste made of domestic glutinous rice and Okinawa brown sugar.*The package that is sold at the store are different from the one given in the "Great Nirvana" special exhibition.Kyo no Osendokoro Tamaruya, which has been around since the Edo period, is a famous shop known for its thin baked rice crackers, Shirakawaji.At present, it is also opened in the Japanese sweets section on the first basement floor of Takashimaya Kyoto shop for a limited time.Now, at Shinnyodo temple, cherry blossoms in full bloom welcome visitors.Beside the main hall is "Tatekawa Sakura" which is connected to Kasuga no Tsubone and is known as a wet nurse of Iemitsu Tokugawa.The cherry trees are said to have been planted by Kasuga no Tsubone to pray for the soul of her father Toshimitsu Saito, who was a senior vassal of Mitsuhide Akechi.The weeping cherry blossoms of the three-storied pagoda and the yaezakura of the bell tower are beautiful, and behind the main hall, the cherry blossoms and green maple trees are also very beautiful!There is also a stone monument near the main hall that says "A monument to the birth of Kyoto Eiga.".In 1908, "Honnoji Gassen" was the first movie shot in Japan using a cinematograph.It is said that this memorable work was set in the precincts of Shinnyodo.Even in the season when cherry blossoms and fresh greenery are beautiful, there are scenes like a movie here and there in the grounds.Kyo no Osendokoro Tamaruya Honten5 Shichiku Higashitakanawa-cho, Nishi-iru, Imamiya-sagaru, Horikawa-dori, Kita Ward, Kyoto City2 minutes walk from Higashitakanawacho City Bus or Kyoto Bus stopShinshogokuraku-ji Temple Shinnyo-do Temple82 Jodoji Shinnyo-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City10 minutes walk from the Shinnyodo-mae City bus stop

BLOGWalking

2021.03.27

Myoken-ji and Myoren-ji Temples Dyed with Cherry Blossoms

Kyoto is in full bloom with cherry blossoms everywhere.The Nishijin area is known as a production area of Nishijin textile, a traditional craft representative of Kyoto.Especially around Teranouchi on Horikawa-dori, there are some temples that we can visit quietly.In this article, I will introduce you to Myoken-ji Temple and Myoren-ji Temple, which are hidden Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites.Myoken-ji Temple is an ancient temple that is said to have been built as the first Nichiren sect dojo in Kyoto in 1321.In front of the temple gate and in the precincts, the cherry trees and Somei-Yoshino cherries decorate the area with beautiful spring scenery.The cherry blossoms at the Kuri (priest's living room) behind the main hall and near the hojo (abbot's chamber) are especially stunning!Most of the cherry trees are said to be around 100 years old, and they have a style and an overwhelming presence.At Myokenji, a special spring exhibition is being held until Sunday, April 11.There are lots of things to see in the spacious precinct such as "Korin Kyokusui no Niwa" which has a motif of a folding screen painting by Korin OGATA.We can see not only the cherry blossoms that shine in the blue sky, but also the night cherry blossoms that are lit up after sunset.Next is Myoren-ji Temple, which stands west of Myoken-ji Temple across Horikawa-dori Street.There is a special exhibition here.The exhibition period was extended until Wednesday, March 31 as part of the special exhibition of the cultural properties that are not open to the public.It is a reservation priority system on the internet, and if there is a vacancy on the day, we can enter without reservation.During the period, gorgeous wall paintings by Tohaku Hasegawa, a painter active in the Momoyama period, and his school will be exhibited.We can appreciate the "Hokosugi", "Ryu-zu", "Matsu-Zakura" that are painted with unique style beauty and "Juroku Rakan no Niwa garden".Myoren-ji Temple is the Daihonzan (head temple) of the Honmon Hokke Sect, which was founded in 1294 by Nichiren Daishonin under his will."Oeshiki Sakura" in front of the main hall is a rare cherry tree that continues to bloom from autumn to spring every year.Oeshiki Sakura begins to bloom around October 13 when Nichiren Daishonin died.It is said that it reaches full bloom around April 8, the birthday of Buddha.Flowers that bloom in autumn are small, but in spring, large flowers bloom, and the performance with Someiyoshino is splendid.Myoken-ji Temple, Daihonzan (head temple) of the Nichiren Sect514 Myokenjimae-cho, Teranouchi-dori Shinmachi-nishi-iru, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City5 minutes walk from Horikawa-Teranouchi City bus stopMyoken-ji Temple Spring Special OpeningPeriod: Monday, March 22 to Sunday, April 11Hours: 10 o'clock to 16 o'clock (daytime) / 18 o'clock to 20 o'clock (nighttime)Special admission fee: 800 yen for adults (junior high school students and older) * Free for children under elementary school age.Honmon Hokke Sect Daihonzan (head temple) Myoren-ji TempleHorikawa-nishi-iru, Teranouchi-dori, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City3 minutes walk from Horikawa-Teranouchi City bus stopMyoren-ji Temple Special OpeningPeriod: Monday, March 1 to Wednesday, March 31Hours: 10 o'clock to 16:30 (reception closes at 16 o'clock)Admission: Adults (junior high school students and above) 700 yen / elementary school students 300 yen

BLOGWalking

2021.03.24

The special spring viewing at Myoman-ji Temple

The cherry blossom season has arrived in Kyoto!From early to late blooming, we can enjoy various kinds of cherry blossoms for more than a month.March 27 has been designated "Sakura Day" by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association.A play on the word '3 (sa) x 9 (ku) = 27' is repeated with '桜始開' (the first cherry blossom season) of 72 climates.It is also interesting to read "桜始開" as "Sakura Hajime Hiraku".This time, I will introduce "Myomanji" of Iwakura, where we want to extend your visit a little from the Takaragaike walk.It is the Sohonzan (grand head temple) of the Kenpon Hokke Sect established by Nichiju Taishoshi in 1389.It was originally located in Rokujobomon Muromachi (present Karasuma Gojo), and has been moved repeatedly due to fires caused by war.In 1503, it was moved to Teramachi Nijo as a result of the city renovation by Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI.It was relocated from Teramachi Nijo to its current location in Iwakura in 1968.It developed as' Myoman-ji Temple in Teramachi Nijo 'for about 400 years through several relocations.The town name "Myomanjimae-cho" still remains in Teramachi Nijo and tells its long history.Myomanji is holding a special spring viewing event on Tuesday, March 23.During the period, the cherry blossom garden is open to the public along with the main hall, snow garden and exhibition room.We can see the red weeping cherry blossoms in front of Oshoin and the precincts colored with cherry blossoms for about 2 - 3 weeks.There is also a special viewing of the Sakuraen light up from Friday, March 26 for about two weeks.Check the state of cherry blossoms blooming on Myomanji's official SNS (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).Kenpon Hokke Sect Sohonzan Myoman-ji Temple91 Iwakura Hataeda-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City5 minutes walk from Kino Station on the Eizan Electric Railway.https://www.facebook.com/myomanjiThe special spring viewing starts on Tuesday, March 23 for about 2 - 3 weeks.6 - 17 o'clock (last reception for visiting Honbo is at 16 o'clock).Admission: 500 yen (pay at the temple office).The special viewing Sakuraen Illumination will start on Friday, March 26 and lasts for about two weeks.17 to 20 o'clock.Admission is free (Honbo is not open).Here is for Relax in Takaragaike Koen ParkHere is for Coffee and restaurant "DORF"