{"id":1373,"date":"2009-11-25T09:47:20","date_gmt":"2009-11-25T00:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2009-11-25\/1373"},"modified":"2009-11-25T09:47:20","modified_gmt":"2009-11-25T00:47:20","slug":"teeming-throngs-enjoying-the-colors-at-kyotos-eikando-temple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2009-11-25\/1373","title":{"rendered":"Teeming Throngs Enjoying the Colors at Kyoto’s Eikando Temple"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\nNOTE<\/b>: Images with an icon next to them have been artificially shrunk to better fit your screen; click the icon to restore them, in place, to their regular size.\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nStanding for a Portrait<\/span><\/span>\nthe simplicity, the colors... this is one of my favorite shots of the day\n<\/div>\n\n

In my previous posts about this weekend's visit to the gardens of the\nEikando Temple in eastern Kyoto (“Holy Cow, the\nGardens at Kyoto's Eikando Temple are Gorgeous!<\/a>” and “More From\nYesterday's Trip to the Eikando Temple<\/a>”) I purposefully<\/span> chose\nphotos devoid of (or mostly devoid of) people, but in fact it was quite\ncrowded.<\/p>\n\n

I detest crowds. I grew up<\/span> in rural Ohio, and am definitely not a city<\/span>\nperson. The crowds<\/span> leading to the Eikando Temple were oppressive, made worse by\nthe fact that it's right next to the Nanzen Temple, itself noted for its fall colors\n(as illustrated\nhere<\/a>,\nhere<\/a>,\nhere<\/a>, and\nhere<\/a>).\nOppressive. The streets<\/span> were positively packed with people,\nmuch to the chagrin of the taxis, cars, and huge tour buses trying to ply the same routes, not to mention each other.<\/p>\n\n

But sometimes the ambiance of the situation turns the same\npotentially-oppressive crowds into a plus,<\/span> into something that adds to the\nenjoyment of the moment, such as described in my “Cherry-Blossom Joie\nde Vivre in Kyoto<\/a>” post from Spring 2008.<\/p>\n\n

At the Eikando Temple this weekend, the same crowds that outside the\ntemple were oppressive, inside were calm, lending a feeling<\/span> of collective\nappreciation of the beauty. It was almost<\/span> surreal.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nThrongs on High<\/span>\nthat's part of the Eikando Temple complex, but I never<\/span> made it that far\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCounterbalance<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGeneric Path<\/span>\nprior to the rain\n<\/div>\n\n

I would normally look at the picture above and think “Ugh, pretty or\nnot, the crowds are not worth it”, but in reality is was remarkably\npleasant. You could<\/span> stand in any one spot for an hour and still not explore\nall the photogenic possibilities the gardens presented. The garden<\/span> layout\nwas such that – and the beauty so plentiful – you could simply\nignore the people and not want for something wonderful to fill your\nlens.<\/p>\n\n

But if you were open to it, the people themselves became part of the\nbeauty, offering all the more photographic opportunities. Most of the\nphotos on this post are just to share the vibe, but some (like the first)\nare wonderful in their own right, I think.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 280 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nVantage<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 640 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPaul Barr<\/span>\nthe guy with the big Nikon D3 + Nikkor 70<\/span>-200mm f\/2.8 VR\n<\/div>\n\n

I met Paul through my blog. He's an American<\/span> photo geek who visits Kyoto\nevery year (he made a brief<\/span> appearance in this post<\/a> last year), and\nsince he's in town now, he joined me in visiting the temple.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 1250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSharing<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/11, ISO 6400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n“Target Rich Environment”<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChecking the Map<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 45 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nShoes<\/span>\neveryone in the background is either taking shoes off, or has just put them back on\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nClass<\/span>\nSimple. Unpretentious. Classic.\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFlower<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 720 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCarpet of Yellow<\/span>\nan area of the garden filled with a layer<\/span> of Ginkgo leaves\n<\/div>\n\n

Ginkgo leaves are of a simple shape, and turn a simple,<\/span> solid yellow (like this<\/a>), and\nrelatively small ginkgo trees line a lot<\/span> of streets in Kyoto (and are neutered every year<\/a> so\nthat, I assume,<\/span> the city can avoid the mess of the leaves). I'm not a<\/span> big\nfan of ginkgos and their leaves, but a large<\/span> tree can make a very<\/span> pretty\ncarpet.<\/p>\n\n

I've still got most of the photos from this weekend's family bike outing<\/a> to\npost, including some of a huge<\/i> ginkgo tree on the grounds of the old\nimperial palace that was almost glowing it was so brilliant. Must. Find. Time. To. Post. More.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDubious<\/span>\nstabilization technique\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 720 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFull<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 1100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nEmpty<\/span>\n( relatively speaking )\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 220 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDolled Up<\/span>\nI had no interest in photographing these “less classy” dolled up girls, but got the shot of someone who did\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 720 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nStream<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDescent<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGoing with the Flow<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMini Conference<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

I wanted to stay for hours more, but was running late as it was, so had\nto leave.<\/p>\n\n

Before heading our separate ways, Paul and I each<\/span> bought a hot<\/span> sweet\npotato from a vendor<\/span> a 100m<\/span> or so from the temple entrance. They're sold\nout of a little<\/span> truck with a big<\/span> steamer mounted in the back, similar to\nhow one can get hot chestnuts on the streets of Paris...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Zeiss 100mm f\/2 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHot Potato<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

The water running down the mini canal is water that has found its way\nfrom Lake Biwa, traveling 20km through the Lake Biwa Canal that first\nbrought drinking water and power-generation capabilities to Kyoto in the\n1880s. Where the main canal dumps into the water-treatment area upon its\narrival in Kyoto, a tiny<\/span> finger splits off and slowly winds its way around\na curve<\/span> of the mountain to the south edge of the Nanzen Temple where it\ncrosses a grand<\/span> brick aqueduct. I'm surprised<\/span> to find that I've posted no\nphotos of it on my blog; the best I have<\/span> is this shot under the\naqueduct<\/a> from a few<\/span> years ago.<\/p>\n\n

The finger of water then wraps around the Nanzen temple, bisects the\nNanzen and Eikando temples, and runs down past where you see in this photo,\neventually emptying into where the main canal picks up again after the 20m\ndrop that fed the first power-generation plant in Japan 130 years ago.<\/p>\n\n

It must have been a lot of work to create this little mini canal that\ntakes a side<\/span> trip around the Nanzen temple, but I can't<\/span> for the life of me\nfigure out what it was for.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In my previous posts about this weekend's visit to the gardens of the Eikando Temple in eastern Kyoto (\"Holy Cow, the Gardens at Kyoto's Eikando Temple are Gorgeous!\" and \"More From Yesterday's Trip to the Eikando Temple\") I purposefully chose photos devoid of (or mostly devoid of) people, but in fact it was quite crowded.<\/p>

I detest crowds. I grew up in rural Ohio, and am definitely not a city person. The crowds leading to the Eikando Temple were oppressive, made worse by the fact that it's right next to the Nanzen Temple, itself noted for its fall colors (as [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,1,2,6,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1373"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1373\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}