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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/200 sec, f/4, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
Anthony and Fumie Being Silly
Yesterday we went for a short drive in the northern mountains of Kyoto to visit the Jakkoin Temple (寂光院). First we had lunch at a nearby restaurant, and Anthony made the picture of a little Japanese kid drawing in his notebook while we were waiting for our order...
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/100 sec, f/6.3, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Passing the Time
authoring comic strips
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/4, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Old Building
of some sort, near the temple entrance
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/2500 sec, f/1.4, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Entrance to Somewhere
Across the street from the restaurant was what I thought was the photogenic entrance to the temple, but it turns out the temple entrance was one door down...
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 900 — map & image data — nearby photos
Heading Up
the real entrance
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 560 — map & image data — nearby photos
Roof
moss-covered roof of an outlying building
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Iron Lantern
Usually, they're stone lanterns like this
I didn't realize it at the time, but the iron lantern was given to the temple by a man who died in 1598. The same man also gave Japan its first Catholic martyrs, and ordered the death of the great great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandfather of one of Anthony's friends. Knowing this now I don't think I'll want to go again, but if we do, I'll not mention that little tidbit to Anthony.
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/11, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Temple Roof
I love these traditional roofs, made of thick stacks of thin bark shingles (such as this and this), but this one is not as old as most. The temple was completely destroyed by arson in 2000, which is why it was closed for renovation when we first tried to come here about five years ago.
The temple's name 寂光院 at first glance might look to mean “temple of the forlorn light”, which considering its recent history and past patronage may be appropriate, but the intended meaning probably relies on a less common use for the first character, along the lines of “temple of the timelessly elegant light”.
I took a full-on shot of the shingles, thinking I might make desktop background out of a slightly cropped version. It looks like nothing in this small version, but when you click through to the big version, it looks like sharply-rendered, high-detail nothing....
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/11, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Whole Lot of Nuthin'
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/800 sec, f/2.5, ISO 900 — map & image data — nearby photos
Colorful Carp
with just a touch of funky joy added in Lightroom
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/400 sec, f/8, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Moss
fairly boring from a distance
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Moss Up Close and Personal
with the Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5
With my recent vexations I found my desire to get out with the camera had disappeared, so it was wonderful to be back in the saddle, out enjoying the camera again.
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/250 sec, f/8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Anthony With His Camera
he can have an interesting eye for things
The temple area was pretty but small, which explains why it was almost deserted. The nearby Sanzenin Temple is much more popular, and now having visited both, it was easy to see why. (One of my favorite all-time photos was taken at the Sanzenin Temple, by the way, “Serenity at the Sanzen-in Temple”.)
Having been left underwhelmed by the temple, we checked out the aforementioned photogenic path next to it...
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Youthful Impatience
or if I'm being honest, “Youthful Energy”
It all led to a single underwhelming grave maker, but the view was nice...
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1600 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Then it was time to head home...
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/800 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Leading The Way Again
I was fortunate to visit Jakko-in 3 days before the arsonist (who was never caught) struck, and saw the original 1000-year-old sanctuary and uncharred Bosatsu statue. The arsonist doused it with kerosene before setting it alight, so the fire department never had a chance. When I went back a few years ago (you’re right, it’s not nearly the same without the original little hondo) I was poking around and asking nosy questions and was told that Ohara is a Hatfield and McCoy town. From the main road you go left toward Jakko-in and right toward Sanzen-in and the waterfall, and ne’er the twain shall meet. Rivals. Grudges. Small-town politics. So I nosed around and people have their suspicions about the culprit, and they think it’s related to the competition in the tourist trade, but nothing provable.
Dear Jeff!
I have just started following your blog and got your latest post via RSS. I must say that the colours of those pictures are incredible, such true colours. Is that due to the lense?
Real great pictures!
Cheers,
Marcel
It’s still worth going to Ohara, though, for the beautiful scenery, minka houses, artist collectives and especially pickled vegetables.