Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 28mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
What am I?
something at the Shojiji Temple (AKA “Hanadera”), Kyoto Japan
勝持寺 / 花の寺
The other temple we visited on Tuesday's outing after the spectacular Yoshiminedera (seen here and here) is one known as the “Flower Temple” (hanadera — 花寺), though its official name is the Shojiji Temple (勝持寺).
In any case, the thing seen above was sitting on the veranda of the main temple building. On the front in faded big characters is 「大原野」(Oharano), the name of the area.
On the side is a date: July 1889.
What is this 125-year-old thing?
As usual with my “What am I?” quizzes, I'll keep all comments from appearing until after I reveal the answer in a blog post in a few days.
For context, here's a wider view of the front of the temple building:
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
The quiz thing is at left, partially obscured in this view by the stone lantern.
Pulling back farther, and to the right, you can get a small hint as to why we were there...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 27mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Looks like water pump for when there’s a fire?
I’m going to guess it’s a large scale butter churn.
A Palanquin (norimono)?
A rice carrier?
Some form of litter for an object.
Is this some sort of well pump or sump pump?
Alvin from NYC
It would help if you made it a wigglegram 🙂
I wish I knew.
At first I thought it was to be carried. But that main beam pivots. And there are 4 iron rods leading into the box. It looks a bit like a steam engine. So I think it’s a water pump. But I have no idea why that huge wedge is holding the lid closed.
I’ve posted the answer here —Jeffrey