Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 17mm — 1/180 sec, f/3.5, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Path at the Hougon'in Temple
As I mentioned in my previous post, I made a rain-drenched visit to the Hougon'in Temple (宝厳院) in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto yesterday. Like the nearby Giouji Temple (祇王寺) that I recently discovered, there's lots of moss and architecture elements made with only natural materials.
In that last category, Hougon'in seems to have the edge, because it has such a wide variety of things (fences, gates, barriers, path markers, ...) and all seem to be made from bamboo and twine... no nails, wire, screws, or the like.
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 38mm — 1/125 sec, f/3.5, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Curved Bamboo Path Edging
On the other hand, it's also much more “busy” a site, with the garden packed with all kinds of features (most of which probably have little meaning beyond their apparent beauty unless you're into the whole Buddhist thing). It's really quite nice, but in this respect Giouji has the edge for me because it's serenity incarnate.
In any case, the Hougon'in Temple is a beautiful, pleasant place to visit....
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 26mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
First View After the Entrance
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 17mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Staging Area
(Bathrooms to the Left; Garden to the Right)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/200 sec, f/3.5, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Rock Sea”
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 19mm — 1/160 sec, f/3.5, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Lots of Curves
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 40mm — 1/90 sec, f/3.2, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Hougan Fence”
(whatever that is)
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 38mm — 1/100 sec, f/3.2, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Obligatory Stream
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 55mm — 1/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Wet “Arhat” Statues
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 20mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Barrier of Some Sort
Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 @ 23mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
All-Natural Construction
The moss at Hougonin seems beautifully maintained, not to mention all those barriers, fences, gates, and whatnot. In a general sort of way, maintenance seems to trump design (especially if you’re accompanied by a gardener). On the other hand, Giouji looks as wonderful as anything in Kyoto. When I was there, the Moss Garden was restricting visitors by requiring appointments, then ensuring you were in the right frame of mind by copying sutras. In my case, getting the ink to be black kept me fully occupied. The Moss Garden’s a great treasure (worth visiting just for the seminal stone garden up the slope), but with Giouji nearby….
Your photography and supplementary information are wonderful. Even beyond knowing that gardens thrive in the rain.