Saturday morning got up and headed out early to Nara. Nara was my first choice in picking a location to live in Japan, so I was eager to visit it again. Nara is a former capital of Japan and was spared during air attacks because of it's history. Thanks to that consideration, Nara now home to some of the oldest art, statues, and buildings in the Japan and the world.
At a train station I found an advertisement for an art showing to the public of old Buddhist art. It happened to be in Nara, near my destination. And it happened to have just started a few days ago! (I originally planned going this particular day because of what I thought was an art show from an ad on the train. Turns out it was for some traditional stuff you had to register and pay for.. oops!)
Ed and I began our trek to Kofukuji Temple, where this art/statue expo was happening, and where I wanted to go anyways. We passed lots of interesting shops and food stands, one of which was selling "Buddha Boogers" and "Buddha Belly Buttons" and "Deer poo" (in the same vein of selling "Moose poop" in Canada).
A building in Kofukuji
Day and Night. 5 story pagoda in Kofukuji. I believe this is one of the tallest pagodas.
We bought a ticket that let us in 4 different buildings, I think all but one are closed off normally to the public. Gorgeous Buddhist statues dating from 1000 years ago greeted us. No photos were allowed and I couldn't even sneak one! I ended up having to buy the postcards of a few amazing works. I bought a book in Kamakura about Buddhist sculptures and their meanings. It was already a great read and helped me plan my Nara tour since it told where to find all these crazy statues. I brought it with me and used it a lot looking up demon kings, and Buddha's aids, etc. While admiring a large Buddha statue, the lady who kept reading the info about the statues to new visitors and keeping me from taking photos, came over to us and mustered in her best English, "Right hand... (motions holding it up) means 'I am always listening.' Left hand... (motions palm out) means 'I can help you.'" I've never heard it put so eloquently. (you can see the pose below in Todaiji)
After seeing history 4 times older than your country, I got hungry. We headed back to a little ma & pa place to eat called "Kame-ya" (Turtle Shop!). I had "oil vegetable", which was a lightly pan fried veggies and sauce. it was really good. After that, it was time to head over to Todai-ji to see the largest Bronze Buddha and largest wooden building. But first we went through Nara Park.
Nara City is famous for hundreds and hundreds of tame deer wandering around. They are believed to be benevolent and sent from the Shinto gods. This may have to do with the fact they will bow their heads at you (mostly to get food from you!)
This deer wanted my sweet potato BAD and kept following me!
We took a detour and headed over to Kasuga Shrine, a very big and famous shrine (linked to royal family in the past).
Mini shrine on the way there.
Entrance to the shrine. (I said deer were famous here!) Water is coming out of its mouth because you must purify yourself before entering a shrine. wash your left hand, then right hand, then left hand again, then drink.
the trek up!
Climbing the stairs to the main shrine.
In the main shrine.
After wandering around, we started our way to Todaiji.
Stone lanterns
Peek-a-boo.
To enter the Todai-ji Temple, you must first pass through the huge main South gate.
A deer at the south gate
A view from the South Gate to the outer part of the temple.
To my surprise, there was a ska festival that night at Todai-ji, so it was all decorated and being prepared. The temple and the buddha inside are both national treasures. This is my 3rd or 4th time there, and it never ceases to amaze me. you'll see why.
some info: Todai-ji Temple was built in the Nara period (710-794 AD). The object of worship is Vairocana Buddha (Buddha that shines throughout the world like the sun), so a magnificent temple was built to refect this importance. It is the largest wooden structure in the world. (160ft h, 187ft w, 165ft d) 33% smaller than the original structure (burned down a couple times).
The Buddha that it houses is made from cast brone and plated with gold. Its 49ft tall. Absolutely massive.
You don't even know how big this is.
"I am always listening"
Buddha companion, the Bodhisattva of Space. Very big as well.
One of two poses of the thunderbolt god. Crushes all evils of the world (note the evil entity he is standing on!) This is an extra housed in the temple. Both are also outside, protecting the temple from evils.
This random woman posing dramitcally for her friends, is crawling through a hole in a pillar in the temple. It is the same size as the statue's nostril (should give you an idea of size). If you can pass through the nostril-represtatve hole, you are guaranteed enlightenment (or at least into the Pure Land where its easier to attain enlightenment). I look at it and see complete-claustriphobia.. and I'm not claustriphobic!
After taking in the sheer size and beauty of everything, we had time for one more temple, and things were closing up. At the foot of Sangatsu-do (The March Hall), it looked bleak. But we pressed on, up a whole lot of winding stairs. Every corner started to present itself with more and more beauty.
Higher..
and higher...
and higher...
Until we could see the whole city at twilight.
Overlook.
Eventually we had to leave the city, and it was a perfet day.
City nights reflected in the turtle pond, with the heron taking it all in.
I have more photos of today in photo album 2, Oct ~ ??.
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OH! AND, I found this blog that has screen caps of a show I love. I didnt know the title, and Im in awe of one of the comedian gals. She's awesome. (Shes the "Chinese" girl)Talk about ethnic stereotypes!
Its actually a whole show of comedic skits, and when I first saw this come on, they were singing the names of the sushi with the Mickey Mouse song. I couldnt believe they were allowed to dress up like that on tv hahah!
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