{"id":2136,"date":"2012-11-12T23:53:19","date_gmt":"2012-11-12T14:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2012-11-12\/2136"},"modified":"2012-11-12T23:53:19","modified_gmt":"2012-11-12T14:53:19","slug":"uncountable-sorrows-path-of-statues-dedicated-to-children-who-passed-before-their-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2012-11-12\/2136","title":{"rendered":"Uncountable Sorrows: Path of Statues Dedicated to Children who Passed Before Their Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nWide Expanse of Sadness<\/span>\nStatues for children who passed before their parents.\nAt the Kongorinji Temple (\u91d1\u525b\u8f2a\u5bfa),<\/span> Shiga Prefecture, Japan\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

One of the main points of interest at the Kongorinji Temple (\u91d1\u525b\u8f2a\u5bfa)<\/span>\nare the many jizou (\u5730\n\u8535)<\/a> statues. I give a<\/span> more-detailed\nintroduction in “Deep Sorrow at the\nKongourinji Temple\u2019s Path of Jizou<\/a>” from two years ago when I\nwrote<\/span> about this path after my first visit, but in short: these statues\nwere placed by parents who lost a child,<\/span> as a form<\/span> of prayer that the child\nwill find an easy path to heaven.<\/p>\n\n

Each statue is unique, and has a hand<\/span>-sewn bib, a colorful<\/span> pinwheel, and the engraved name of a child.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Before you get to the first jizou<\/i> statue, you've already enjoyed some\nfine paths and foliage; turning a corner<\/span> at an outlying temple building\nbrings you to this sight:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFirst Glimpse<\/span>\nafter having already traversed some amazingly-beautiful paths to get here\n<\/div>\n\n

When I made my visit a\nweek<\/span> ago<\/a>, the leaves had only barely started to turn, but one brilliant\norange tree (seen in the background in the photo above) marked the start of\nwhat I call<\/span> the “path of sorrow”...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/10, ISO 4500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nStart of the Path<\/span>\nto the main temple building, lined with 1,000 jizou<\/i> statues\n<\/div>\n\n

The light was a bit richer a few hours later...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 220 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nThe Sorrow Starts Here<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

Every statue along the path is engraved with a number.<\/span> The two statues<\/span> flanking the path outside\nthe gate are numbered #999 and #1000...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n#999<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

The framing is poor in that shot because I was<\/span> leaning way<\/i> out\nover a stream,<\/span> trying to get a shot<\/span> blind by holding the camera as far out\nas I could<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n

My blind aim was off, but I somehow<\/span> like the\nshot anyway. It seems<\/span> more interesting than this\nmore traditional framing made from the other side of the stream...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n#999<\/span>\nand in the background at left, #1,000\n<\/div>\n\n

The path rises up the mountain at a fairly<\/span> brisk pace, but the lower part is at least relatively even...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nWaiting for Me<\/span>\nDamien on his first visit to this temple\n<\/div>\n\n

Damien Douxchamps<\/a> had shown\nme some excellent temples\nin Kyoto<\/a> a couple<\/span> of days prior (the photos from which I haven<\/span>'t really\nhad the chance to look yet), so this time I was<\/span> introducing him to one.<\/p>\n\n

Damien's excellent photos from this visit are already online, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

I was forever making Damien wait, such as to pause for a reverse<\/span>-angle shot like this:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nJust Inside<\/span>\nthe start of the path, looking back\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 10000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nTypical Section of the Path<\/span>\nfairly rough and rugged, befitting the mountain setting\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 2800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n“Road Narrows”<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 10000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nEnd of the Path<\/span>\nwith the main temple complex beyond the top of the stairs\n<\/div>\n\n

The top of the stairs in the far background is where I was<\/span> standing when\nI took<\/span> “Photographing\nNothing<\/a>” on yesterday's post, of Damien photographing some super tiny\nflowers.<\/p>\n\n

I neglected to look for statue #1, but I'm sure it was at the base of the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 2800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSlight Headache<\/span>\nStatue #59\n<\/div>\n\n

The thousand statues lining the path are impressive (and sorrowful) enough, but that's just the beginning.\nFlanking the path on either side are large expanses of unnumbered jizou<\/i>...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 2800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n
Vertical Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n\n\n1050×<\/span>1680<\/a>  ·  1200×<\/span>1920<\/a>  ·  1600×<\/span>2560<\/a><\/small><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 4000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nThree Little Standouts<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 2800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 9000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFrom Behind<\/span>\nbibs tied neatly\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 1100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPerhaps Slightly Overwhelmed<\/span>\nI know I was<\/span>, and I had<\/span> been here before\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 4500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 5600 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n“Dedicated Aug 1984”<\/span>\nwith three names listed\n
Vertical Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n\n\n1050×<\/span>1680<\/a>  ·  1200×<\/span>1920<\/a>  ·  1600×<\/span>2560<\/a><\/small><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 1800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n
Vertical Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n\n\n1050×<\/span>1680<\/a>  ·  1200×<\/span>1920<\/a>  ·  1600×<\/span>2559<\/a><\/small><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 10000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a>  ·  2880×<\/span>1800<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Voigtl\u00e4nder 125mm f\/2.5 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 6400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

To be continued...<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the main points of interest at the Kongorinji Temple (\u91d1\u525b\u8f2a\u5bfa) are the many jizou (\u5730 \u8535) statues. I give a more-detailed introduction in \"Deep Sorrow at the Kongourinji Temple\u2019s Path of Jizou\" from two years ago when I wrote about this path after my first visit, but in short: these statues were placed by parents who lost a child, as a form of prayer that the child will find an easy path to heaven.<\/p>

Each statue is unique, and has a hand-sewn bib, a colorful pinwheel, and the engraved name of a child.<\/p>

Before you get to the [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,14,1,2,6,10,25],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2136"}],"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=2136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2136\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}