Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 44 mm — ¹/250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sturdy
Main door to the grounds of Nijo Castle, Kyoto Japan

Driving by Nijo Castle today, I remembered that I hadn't really posted much yet from my previous visit there (which was my first visit, which is embarrassing to admit because I've lived in or near Kyoto for 12 years).

So, here are some pictures of the main gate, a huge, heavy, thick wooden door augmented with bands of steel.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/4, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
View from the Inside
In the glow of the setting sun

The wide-angle lens I used to achieve the picture above camouflages the sheer size of the door. Note the small opening at left, and the size of someone sitting just outside the door.

This shot of the other side of the doors gives a better sense of the size, although it lacks the glow of the ones above because it's completely shielded from the setting sun.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 23 mm — ¹/350 sec, f/4, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Photo Op

Earlier in my visit, when the doors were open and the more highly decorated outside face was actually facing in toward the sun, I took this shot, which might make a nice desktop background, so I've provided those versions as well....

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17 mm — ¹/500 sec, f/3.2, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Impenetrable

Desktop-Background Versions
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The doors are so heavy that over the years it appears that they've started to sag under their own weight, and now little wedges have been added under the doors to make them appear – at least at first glance – less saggy.

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 45 mm — ¹/180 sec, f/4, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos

And finally, just to add some life to an almost-colorless post, here's a shot from the interior...

Nikon D200 + Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 30 mm — ¹/60 sec, f/3.2, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Parasol and Moat