That Kyoto Temple With the Many Whimsical Statues
Things are Looking Up at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺), Kyoto Japan -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5600 — map & image datanearby photos
Things are Looking Up
at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺), Kyoto Japan
desktop background image of a scene at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- though this guy Seems Grumpy -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 900 — map & image datanearby photos
though this guy
Seems Grumpy
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After so many cycling-related posts lately, it's time I get back to my basics with some pretty photos.

最近僕のブログはサイクリング関係ばかりみたいので、やっぱりたまに美しい京都写真にも戻らなければいけない。

I've been meaning to write about the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) temple for years, and indeed all the photos on this post are from 2012 (from visits to the temple in April and December of that year). A few of the photos appeared a year ago in A Few Desktop Backgrounds from the Delightfully Whimsical Otaginenbutsuji Temple, and one appears as the subject of my Photo-Development Challenge #2.

desktop background image of a scene at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Entrance Path -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 2500 — map & image datanearby photos
Entrance Path
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It's at the far north end of the Arashiyama area that is already filled with more temples and shrines than someone could see in a week, and it's sort of a hidden treasure, so it's not particularly crowded. Tourists who walk what they think is the full length of Arashiyama probably stop here because it simply looks like there's nothing beyond. But only a short distance farther is an amazing place.

The temple is most noted for its 1,200 often-whimsical statues carved from stone.

Sometimes they're scattered about haphazardly like those on Easter Island...

desktop background image of a scene at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 900 — map & image datanearby photos
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Sometimes they're packed in tightly like sardines in a can...

Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 900 — map & image datanearby photos

Each has its individual charm (and I believe each was carved by a different person), so there are always more fun things to notice each time you visit, or even each time you look at their photos. I just noticed that the subject of the aforementioned photo challenge can be found in the shot above.

Bighead and Little Bob ( I just made up those names ) -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 400 — map & image datanearby photos
Bighead and Little Bob
( I just made up those names )
Phyllis Diller and J. Wellington Wimpy? -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 500 — map & image datanearby photos
Phyllis Diller and J. Wellington Wimpy?
Paul Barr -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1000 — map & image datanearby photos
Paul Barr
Walkman the statues date from 1980s ~ 1990s -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 720 — map & image datanearby photos
Walkman
the statues date from 1980s ~ 1990s
Walkman Again this time in December -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5600 — map & image datanearby photos
Walkman Again
this time in December
Damien Douxchamps -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4000 — map & image datanearby photos
Damien Douxchamps

The visit in December 2012 with Damien was at the end of a photographically-productive day that yielded a lovely rainbow, some stunning fall colors, autumn views of the Jojuji Temple, and assorted other beauty.

desktop background image of a scene at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- So Much Detail and if you've read my blog for long, you know I like taking photos of other photographers taking photos -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/4, ISO 5000 — map & image datanearby photos
So Much Detail
and if you've read my blog for long, you know I like taking photos of other photographers taking photos
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Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 320 — map & image datanearby photos
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 500 — map & image datanearby photos
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 250 — map & image datanearby photos
desktop background image of a path at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺), Kyoto Japan -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 320 — map & image datanearby photos
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The Office ( USA version) -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5000 — map & image datanearby photos
The Office
( USA version)
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 720 — map & image datanearby photos

At the top of the entrance path are three bells that have the most lovely sound...

Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/320 sec, f/2, ISO 1400 — map & image datanearby photos
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1000 — map & image datanearby photos

You can ring them freely. The deep, rich sound is sublime.

Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 2000 — map & image datanearby photos
Freshman -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 2500 — map & image datanearby photos
Freshman
Bright -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 280 — map & image datanearby photos
Bright
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 7200 — map & image datanearby photos
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/5.6, ISO 4500 — map & image datanearby photos
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4000 — map & image datanearby photos
desktop background image of a scene at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 500 — map & image datanearby photos
Vertical Desktop-Background Versions
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desktop background image of a scene at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Bet You Don't See It -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2200 — map & image datanearby photos
Bet You Don't See It
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Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1000 — map & image datanearby photos
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 3600 — map & image datanearby photos
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1600 — map & image datanearby photos
Cold and Wet that December day was -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 6400 — map & image datanearby photos
Cold and Wet
that December day was
Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 2200 — map & image datanearby photos
The End -- Otaginenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2012 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/ -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 160 — map & image datanearby photos
The End

There's so much more there... most of the statues didn't appear here at all. Perhaps I'll have to return again...


All 3 comments so far, oldest first...

The untitled photo after “Bright” should probably be called Chia Rakan.

— comment by Marcina on July 6th, 2015 at 11:00am JST (8 years, 8 months ago) comment permalink

How happy your photos! I love this temple and have visited to there many times. Thank you, Mr.Jeffrey

— comment by Takako on October 15th, 2015 at 8:41pm JST (8 years, 5 months ago) comment permalink

Russia. Vladivostok. It’s beautiful mysterious sculptures created by ordinary people. and it’s great!

— comment by Dim on February 3rd, 2016 at 10:01pm JST (8 years, 2 months ago) comment permalink
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