Small mizu-ko statuettes are ubiquitous in Japanese temples. Literally "water child" the graves are those of stillborn, miscarried or aborted children.


The statues of mizuko Jizo are often clad in red bibs and hats. mizuko kuyo (水子供養) is the memorial service held annually for the child when offerings are made to Jizo, a boddhisattva who protects children. Abortion in Japan has been legal since the Eugenic Protection Law of 1948.



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彼岸花

This time of year sees the spectacular flowering of the higan-bana. Higan is a period of Buddhist reflection around the time of the autumn equinox and the flowers take their name from this.



Higan-bana or Lycoris often grow at the sides of rice fields as the bulbs are poisonous and deter pests. Chinese and Japanese Buddhist tradition has the flowers also grow in hell, the bright red blooms guiding souls into the next incarnation. Thus the flowers may be seen at Japanese funerals and are not therefore used in bouquets.


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福禄寿

Fukurokuju is one of the seven lucky gods called Shichifukujin, that can be seen in temples throughout Japan.


Fukurokuju originated in China and is generally depicted in the garments of ancient Chinese scholars with a long white beard. His head takes up nearly half his height and so it is no surprise that Fukurokuju is the patron deity of chess players and scientists. More surprisingly Fukurokuju is also the go-to demi-god for athletes, gardeners, jewelers, magicians and miners. Fukurokuju symbolizes wealth, happiness and longevity.


Alone among the Shichifukujin, Fukurokuju is credited with being able to raise the dead.

The images of Fukurokuju were taken at Sekizanzenin Temple in north eastern Kyoto at the foot of Mt. Hiei.

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大梵鐘



Zojoji is the main temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism. It is right next to Tokyo Tower. It was founded as the sect’s eastern Japan seminary in 1393 and was relocated to its present site in 1598. In those days it was a massive complex containing 48 subsidiary temples, over 3000 priests and over 150 grammar schools. Times have changed and it now occupies but a fraction of its former area.

Coming from Daimon or Hamamatsucho stations, the first you will see of Zojoji is its huge 21 meter (69 foot) high gate, the Sangedatsumon, built in 1622, the only remaining part of the original temple. Just inside to your right is the Daibonsho, a giant 15 ton bell cast in 1673, tolled six times twice a day.

Watch a young priest toll the bell in this YouTube clip.

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Dabonsho Bell

東大寺、奈良

Todaiji Temple, situated a short walk from the center of Nara, in Nara Park, is probably the city's biggest draw and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Todaiji, along with Kofukuji and Horyuji, make up the "Big Three" must-see temples of Nara.

Founded in 745 by the Emperor Shomu, the vast temple was constructed as a symbol of imperial power, and took over 15 years to complete at great expense. The main hall, which houses the colossal bronze Buddha statue within, remains the world's largest wooden building, though the present structure - rebuilt in 1709 - is only two thirds the size of the original.

Visitors enter the temple through the massive Nandaimon Gate - rebuilt in the 13th century - and known for its giant guardian gods or nio, 7m-tall wooden statues protecting the temple within from evil.



The Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) houses Japan's largest bronze statue - a darkened figure of the Cosmic Buddha (Dainichi Nyorai). The statue weighs 500 tons and is 16m tall - a masterpiece of Tempyo Period (729-764) art.



Several attempts at casting the Buddha failed before success was finally achieved in 752. Ambassadors from as far away from India, Persia and China attended the dedication ceremony and the gifts they brought with them were kept in the Shoso-in treasure house, behind the hall.

Little remains of the original 8th century statue, however, which has been damaged in fires and earthquakes and subsequently re-cast. West of the Daibutsuden is the Kaidanin, which was set up in 754 as Japan's premier ordination hall for new monks. The present building dates from the Edo Period (1603-1858) but it contains some ancient and exquisite clay statues.

Access

Todaiji is a walk from Kintetsu Nara Station north east of Kofukuji and north of Nara National Museum. Opening hours are 8am-4.30pm or 5pm daily from November to March and 7am-5pm or 5.30pm April-October. Adults 500 yen.

Todaiji
Zoshi-cho 406-1
Nara
630-8587
Tel: 0742 22 5511

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興福寺、奈良

Kofukuji Temple, situated in the center of Nara, in Nara Park, is one of the city's most beautiful and historic temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Founded in 669 by the Fujiwara family, the temple was moved from Yamashina in Kyoto to its present location in 710, when Nara became the new capital of the Yamato state. Along with Horyuji and Todaiji, Kofukuji Temple is important is the establishment and acceptance of Buddhism in Japan at this time. However, none of the buildings date from the Nara Period (710-794), with most of the structures having been built between the 12th-18th centuries.

Kofukuji is noted for its fine 50m-tall Five-Story Pagoda, a Three-Story Pagoda and the Tokon-do and Kokuhokan, which house beautiful collections of priceless, Buddhist art and statuary.

The rather drab, concrete Kokuhokan (Admission, 500 yen) contains arguably the best collection of Japanese sculpture in the world. A set of guardians, including a standing dry-lacquer figure of Ashura (one of the Buddha's eight protectors) and the bronze head of Yakushi Nyorai (the Healing Buddha) are standouts. The Tokondo (Admission, 300 yen) has more Buddhist statues including a large image of Yakushi Nyorai and a beautiful seated image of Yuima Koji (the Indian Buddhist sage Vimalakirti).

The Five-Story Pagoda, which was completely restored in 1427, is the second tallest pagoda in Japan, behind the 55m-tall pagoda at Toji Temple in Kyoto. The Three-Story Pagoda dates from the early 12th century and houses some Buddhist paintings.

The Kofukuji temple complex has two octagonal buildings containing yet more ancient Buddhist treasures: the Hokuendo (Northern Octagonal Hall) and the Nanendo (Southern Octagonal Hall). Both have resticted opening hours to the public.

Access

Kofukuji is a short walk from Kintetsu Nara Station at the entrance to Nara Koen (Nara Park). Admission to the temple grounds is free, the Kokuhokan museum is 500 yen for adults. Opening hours are 9am-5pm daily.

Kofukuji
Nopporioji-cho 48
Nara
630-8213
Tel: 0742 22 7755

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法隆寺、奈良

Horyuji Temple, about 10km south west of Nara, contains the world's oldest surviving wooden buildings.

Founded, according to the wishes of his dying father, in 607 by Prince Shotoku, Horyuji is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the first to be so designated in Japan.



Horyuji ("Temple of the Flourishing Law") supposedly burnt down in 670 and was then rebuilt; the ancient wooden structures in the temple complex are thought to date to that time.

Most striking is the 32.5m-tall Five-Story Pagoda (Goju-no-to) - the oldest five-storied pagoda in Japan. Inside the building is a collection of clay statues from the Nara Period (710-794).



The Main Hall (Kondo) contains the main sacred statues of the temple. These priceless Buddhist images include a bronze Shaka Triad showing the historical Buddha and two bodhisattvas, dating from 623. To the right is the Yakushi Nyorai - the Buddha of Healing - to which the temple is dedicated. A 12th century Amida Buddha commemorates Prince Shotoku's mother.

The eastern precinct (Toin Garan) added in 739 contains the octagonal Hall of Visions (Yume-dono). This delightful, wooden building contains the Kuse Kannon (Avalokitesvara), said to be a life-size statue of Prince Shotoku.



Access

To reach Horyuji Temple, which is located in the Ikaruga district take a JR Yamatoji Line Osaka-bound train to Horyuji Station and then walk the 20 minutes to the temple of take a local #72 bus. Alternatively, take a bus from Nara to Horyuji-mae bus stop. Bicycles can be hired at the information near the bus stop on National Highway 25 at the entrance road to the temple.

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清沢満之

Kiyozawa Manshi (1863-1901) a Buddhist priest and philosopher, was born in Hekinan, a small town east of Nagoya. The traditional samurai house where he died young of tuberculosis has been preserved as a museum dedicated to his life and works.



On display are manuscripts, some of them written in perfect English and Kiyozawa's book collection preserved in a sealed room.

From a middle-ranking samurai family, Kiyosawa was educated at Tokyo Imperial University studying Western philosophy under the American professor Ernest Fenollosa. Kiyozawa readings of such philiosophers as Fichte, Hegel, Leibniz and Spinoza influenced his own Buddhist philosophy and teachings.



After graduation Manshi moved to Kyoto's Honganji Temple and later became dean of Shinshu (later Otani University) where he taught the history of philosophy.

Contracting TB early in his life, Manshi, a renown ascetic, returned to his ancestral home to die, passing away in a tiny tatami alcove so he would not take up too much space in the main house.



Kiyozawa Manshi is remembered as an educator, reformer and scholar who inspired a new generation of religious thinkers to reinterpret and re-evaluate the Shinshu faith.

Read more about Kiyozawa Manshi

Access

Kiyozawa Manshi Memorial Museum
Hamaderamachi 2-19-2
Hekinan
447-0845
Tel: 0566 42 0044

Hekinan Station can be reached on the Meitetsu Line from Nagoya, Kanayama and Toyota Stations changing at Chiryu.
The museum is a short walk west of the station.
Map of Kiyozawa Manshi Memorial Museum

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善光寺

Zenkoji is Nagano's must-see sight and one of the most famous temples in Japan.



Dating from the 7th century, Zenkoji keeps the Ikko-Sanzon Amida Nyorai, supposedly the first Buddhist image to arrive in Japan (from Korea in the 6th century). A copy of the image is displayed to the public every six years in the Gokaicho Festival, the next is in 2009. The original is kept behind a curtain and is never seen by the laity.

The temple has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt on a number of occasions and the present main hall of the temple was built in 1707.



Zenkoji's popularity stems from the fact it is a non-sectarian temple and welcomes visitors from all faiths and creeds. A priest and priestess share the responsibility for the temple's ecumenical rituals. In an ancient ceremony, the high priest or priestess prays for the salvation of visitors every morning.



Underneath the main hall is a narrow, pitch-black tunnel that symbolizes the path to enlightenment. Struggle through the darkness with your hand to the wall to guide you and you will discover a metal handle, which is the key to salvation. To enter the tunnel is 500 yen. Be warned it is hot, long and frightening!

Zenkoji Temple
491 Motoyoshi-cho
Tel: 026 234 3591

Take a bus (100 yen) from bus stop #1 outside Nagano Station.

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