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Showing off the Ring at Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto. [2001]
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This photograph was taken June 1, 2001, minutes after I proposed to my
wife, Miyuki. You can barely see Kyoto in the hazy background.
This temple, tucked into the hillside, is my favorite place in
Japan. I can still see a younger version of myself standing on the
balcony marveling at this ancient place. |
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Real Maiko at an annual ceremony. [2001]
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While wandering the streets of Kyoto in search of lunch, we stumbled
upon this curious ceremony on a quiet side street. Maiko (apprentice
geisha) and Buddhist monks helped stock colorful koi into a local stream
after giving prayer. |
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Iaido Demonstration at Yasaka Shrine. [2001]
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Iaido is one of Japan's sword arts which as far as I can tell involved
moments of quiet meditation punctuated by lethal sword cuts. I
imagine it gave the swordmaster a chance to sneer at his opponent with
contempt before cutting him in two. Yasaka Shrine is the local
shrine of Gion, a neighborhood of Kyoto renowned for its geisha. |
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The Great Temple at Nara. [1997]
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All I can say after this is that these people have one big Buddha in
there. If you ever go to Kyoto, do yourself a favor and visit this
temple complex an easy train ride to the south. Be prepared to fight
off bus loads of school children and I challenge you to take a good
picture in there. |
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Heian Shrine, Kyoto. [1997]
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You can't miss this one! This shade of orange can be seen from
space. Here my friends try to look happy yet reverent. You
will be "templed-out" in Kyoto but give it the old college try. |
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Kinkakuji, Kyoto. [2001]
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This is truly one of the most magnificent structures in Japan and this
photograph was taken by Miyuki. It
was part of a retirement complex for the emperor and now it's one of the
following: a) a noodle shop, b) a very small hotel, c) a world heritage
treasure, d) the headquarters of Mitsubishi. |
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Deer Selling Rice Crackers at Nara. [1997]
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What a racket! Why doesn't he just help himself! I am
beginning to think that being reborn as a deer at Nara is not a step down. |
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Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto. [1997]
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This is a splendid temple
at the edge of Kyoto with wonderful views (provided you don't visit on very
foggy or hazy days.) I was thinking of jumping off the balcony. |
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Ginkakuji, Kyoto. [1997]
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This is the famed silver pavilion but I don't know what happened to the
silver. Maybe they pawned it paying the gardener. Anyway, this
is one of the most heavily visited and honestly scenic places in old
Kyoto. I contemplated the meaning of life and the exchange value of
the yen while dodging tours of school-children. |
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Gion Shrine, Kyoto. [1997]
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Gion is the district of old Kyoto famous for the geisha. I waited
for hours and they never showed up!! I think it was because my suave
foreign appeal was too .... what's the word.....repellant maybe.
This picture is just another excuse to put my face on my web site.
My old friend the guardian dog came all this way to see me again. |
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Gioji Temple, Kyoto. [2001]
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Gioji Temple is not a heavily touristed place. Tucked on the edge
of Kyoto, we found it to be a hidden gem. It is a tranquil setting,
with inviting trees and gardens, and the day we went, the sunlight
filtered onto the moss covered ground with sublime light. |
