Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 900 — map & image data — nearby photos
Tea Ceremony
at the Shodensanso Villa (松殿山荘), Uji Japan
In “Approaching the Shodensanso Villa” last week, we ended looking at the main entrance to the 86-year-old grand villa just outside of Kyoto. Here's a view from the entrance looking out.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/3.2, ISO 125 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Hi”
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Round Window & Tiger
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/5, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Big Room
We received a half-hour talk in this room about the history of the place and the guy who built it (Tsunetaro Takaya). The whole time I just couldn't stop marveling at the ceiling, whose 4-foot-by-4-foot panels were each a solid board...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/60 sec, f/5, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Gorgeous
on the floor on my back at 14mm
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 62mm — 1/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 34mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Alcoves
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Damien
with context, the room suddenly seems a lot bigger, doesn't it?
After the lecture we were ushered to another room for, what turned out to be Tea Ceremony. For a bit I had the room mostly to myself...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 160 — map & image data — nearby photos
Awaiting Participants
At the start of a Tea Ceremony you receive a couple of small sweets, to cleanse th palate, I guess. People were still coming in and there was general hustle and bustle, so it was fine to use the camera...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Getting Started
Once the ceremony proper got started, everyone put their cameras away. It's unfortunate because the backlit steam rising from the pot (seen in frame left above) was wonderful.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 56mm — 1/250 sec, f/4, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
After
We could inspect the ornately-decorated implements. Here Damien (in a rare photo without is red hat) is photographing the small container for the dry green tea, and the little bamboo spoon-ish thing used to place a bit into each bowl while making tea...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 44mm — 1/200 sec, f/4, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
Paul's Turn
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/5, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sans Camera
I don't quite understand what's going on with the lady above, but she somehow seems to be able to see and maybe even appreciate the bowl without the use of a camera. Seems odd. Perhaps she's from another planet.
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/4, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
My Turn
The surface was glossy smooth, but the fine pine cones and needles were very “3D”, so the layer of lacquer (or whatever) must have been quite thick. It all felt quite high class and delicate. I inquired about its age; it's a modern piece.
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Detail
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/200 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Preparing
for the next group
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Back Hallway
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Old Light Switches
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 60mm — 1/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Next Group
preparing to enter the room for the next group's tea ceremony
(she's kneeling where Damien and Paul were photographing the cup earlier)
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Kitchen
not meant to be seen by villa guests
( but I got a special tour by the caretaker )
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/60 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Large Doors
the main panel of each is a single massive board perhaps 4½ feet across
To be continued...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/4.5, ISO 4500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Entrance
to the Shojiji Temple (AKA “Hanadera”)
勝持寺 / 花の寺
Kyoto Japan
Two weeks ago toward the end of a full day of fall-foliage photography that I scratched the surface of in “The Whole Gamut of My Blog In One Spectacular Visit to the Yoshiminedera Temple”, after a great lunch we made a short visit to Hanadera (“The Flower Temple”, officially called the Shojiji Temple).
Didn't see too many flowers, being the middle of November and all, but the fall colors were starting to get going.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
After Stepping Through the Door
Here's a wigglegram to give a better sense of the area in front of the main building....
写真の上をマウスで左右にゆっくり動かすと「３D」な感じが出ます。
On the veranda of the main building is the contraption that I posted for “An Among-the-Fall-Colors “What am I?” Quiz”. To refresh your memory, here's the photo that I posted then:
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 28mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
The Contraption in Question
something at the Shojiji Temple (AKA “Hanadera”), Kyoto Japan
勝持寺 / 花の寺
My first impression was that it was some kind of machine for pounding rice into mochi, but I was set straight by a lady I happened to ask.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Impromptu Explanation
It's a portable fire extinguisher.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 29mm — 1/125 sec, f/3.5, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Fire Extinguisher
basin, two-man pump, nozzles
It makes sense... Japan has long had a deep ethos for fire prevention, and temple buildings are designed to last thousands of years, but it takes vigilance to keep them safe over that many years.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 48mm — 1/200 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Business End
This looks like some kind of unused part idly sitting in a holder, like an attachment to a vacuum cleaner, but it's actually sitting over the hole where water comes out. There's a hole in one of the faces toward the top into which a nozzle pipe fits, to spray the water. The whole thing can be rotated to change the side-to-side direction, though I'm not sure how they might change the up/down angle.
The pipes used as the spray nozzle can be seen resting on the back of the thing:
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1400 — map & image data — nearby photos
It's 125 years old, and was just sitting there, sort of falling apart.
Anyway, it was a beautiful, rustic temple. I made lots of wigglegrams, so I'll have to revisit the subject soon to post more.
To be continued...
Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/160 sec, f/4, ISO 6400 — image data
Found Them!
my lost glasses, back in my loving embrace... sort of
After returning from errands last night, I realized that I couldn't find my glasses. I knew I'd put them in my coat pocket when leaving the gym, but in between had been all over the city on scooter, foot, and bicycle.
I figured that I'd probably lost them on the 2km walk to a bicycle shop (to pick up a new bicycle), or on the bumpy 2km ride home. It was warm enough that I'd slung my jacket over my shoulder for most of the way there.
I spent an hour in the dark drizzle last night with a flashlight retracing my steps. I didn't find them, but did learn that it's hard to see in the dark, and rain is wet. I was bummed.
This morning I tried again in the light, and found them flatter than a pancake on the Sanjo Ohashi bridge (this bridge), and the weird thing is that I immediately felt better about the whole thing.
I think the psychological aspect is interesting... I felt much worse about not knowing than about the loss of the glasses.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 35mm — 1/160 sec, f/6.3, ISO 3200 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Moment of Quiet Introspection
at the Rurikoin Temple (瑠璃光院), Kyoto Japan
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/7.1, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Your Seat Awaits
this is absolutely what you'll find if you visit this weekend
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/9, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Serenity Incarnate
and other lies
Some friends and I paid a morning visit to the Rurikoin Temple (瑠璃光院) in north-east Kyoto on Thursday. It was my second visit, after the first two years ago when Damien introduced me to the place.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 125 — map & image data — nearby photos
Waiting For the 10AM Opening
Two years ago it was probably about 500 yen (US $5) to get in, but I heard that they stopped being open to the public for a while. This year they're back, but it's 2,000 yen (US $20) to get in. It's a Buddhist Temple and so ostensibly a religious place (whose income is tax free), but during the fall-foliage season their business is all about photography: the vast majority of visitors are folks like me who want to take pretty pictures.
It's probably safe to say that 100% of the folks lined up that morning to pay their 2,000 yen were there for photos.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 110 — map & image data — nearby photos
Heading In
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 720 — map & image data — nearby photos
Path Up to the Buildings
After entering, you're first funneled to the 2nd-floor room with the money view (so to speak) of the foliage. It's where I took the “serene” shots that open this post, but it was far from serene. The scene as it appeared when I first turned the corner at the top of the steps:
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/40 sec, f/8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Scurrying for Shots
(The photo above has its color balance set for the incandescent lighting in the room, rather than for the sunlight outside. Other photos are balanced for sunlight.)
The room is intended for meditation and the writing of sutras. The table in the background had pads of blank papers, ink, and brushes, so that you can copy the provided sutras. The seat pillows away from the table are for quiet contemplation of the beautiful scene outside.
But nobody here cared about any of that stuff. Everyone was there to take pictures, and I immediately became embarrassed about it for reasons I can't quite put my finger on.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/8, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
When visiting a temple or shrine, I never forget that I'm visiting a religious place, and that indeed I'm a visitor among people using the place for its religious purpose. But this time, there was not even the slightest pretense by anyone that the sole intent of the location and its visitors was anything other than photography. This made me sad a bit.
Yet, at the same time, since everyone had the same purpose, the same “unwritten rules” were followed, so, for example, the photogenic corner of the room was left empty so that it could be part of a good shot. People would sometimes try to creep in a bit on one corner or the other to catch a different angle, but for the most part it was sort of amazing how the “crowd mentality” worked for the common good:
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
Absolutely Teeming
with rabid photographers all over the place just out of frame
In the shot above, one person had snuck a bit forward, only to soon retreat back to the scrum after she took her picture.
As I said, I felt a bit bad/embarrassed for nondescript reasons, and I was acutely aware of the old saying:
With this in mind I was trying to be extra reserved and deferential to others, but I was still there clicking away, as the photos on this post prove.
At one point a lone man ventured boldly into the open space to “enjoy” the view, but he was clearly irked by the photographers and, by the way he acted, it seemed he had planted himself there merely to spite them.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/6.3, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Rebellion
I felt bad for him because he had a right to enjoy the place for its intended purpose. These kind of scenic spots are deluged by folks with cameras during Kyoto's glorious fall-foliage season, but usually everyone enjoys the area in harmony, each for their own reasons. Sometimes you get occasional bottlenecks when folks' manners are temporarily overcome by their enthusiasm (an offense I try not to be guilty of, but I'm sure I am from time to time). But here, in the rush just after the temple opened to the scrum of photographers, there was no harmony.
I also feel bad for him because it seems his intention was to ruin the view for photography, but standing there alone, he actually added a nice human focal point. A photo of him leads this post, but that photo and the one directly above are the only I took of him. I didn't want to be the traffic he was stuck in, so I moved to another room for a while.
Eventually he moved on, and again the photo-crowd mentality took over and the most photogenic part of the room was left open...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Deserted
at least until you get one pixel out of frame
I often use creative composition to take advantage of the easiest way to lie with the camera (“If It’s Not in Frame, It Doesn’t Exist”), and in this room with these “photographer crowd mentality” rules in play, it was quite effective.
But all good things must come to an end. One of the photographers, after waiting for a while, sort of asked the crowd whether he could move forward to take a picture. One of the temple worker said yes, of course, go ahead by all means don't hesitate, and he very quickly and apologetically moved forward to take a shot...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 50mm — 1/200 sec, f/7.1, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nabbing a Quick Snap
But with that the spell was broken and the dike burst. Here's the scene 10 seconds later:
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/80 sec, f/7.1, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
And another minute and a half later, as I was on my way out for the last time...
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
I have some interest in these places as historical sites, to imagine who build them and who maintained them over the years, but 99% of my interest is in the ability to take and share photos. I have no qualms or embarrassment about that, but something about that morning made me very uneasy.
It could be that the hefty admission price filtered out (almost) everyone but those serious about getting nice photos, and the resulting scrum/mood just didn't fit the setting in my mind. I've had the occasion to take photographs during a Catholic Mass (examples here, here, and here), but even though in each case I had the explicit permission from the priest, I still felt uneasy because the intention of Mass lies elsewhere.
And then on top of that, to see someone who didn't get the “cameras required” memo bristle against the rainfall of shutter clicks made me feel bad for being part of the problem.
I'd like to think that I and my friends were more respectful and courteous than the bulk of the scrum there, but perhaps that's just me looking at myself through autumn-colored glasses.
Anyway, that's why there will be no wigglegrams from this room. To make one requires a high-speed shutter burst (10 frames per second for a second or two), and given the particulars of the setting and my feelings, I just couldn't allow myself to be that much traffic.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Selfie In Progress
Near the Rurikoin Temple, in the mountains of north-east Kyoto, Japan
京都市の瑠璃光院の近く
I just happened to get lucky to catch these three Kyoto University students taking a selfie... it shows the fun of enjoying the season with friends (as I was doing at the time, temple hopping, camera in hand, with four friends).
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 48mm — 1/200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 160 — map & image data — nearby photos
