The Shrines and Temples of Japan are revered and well preserved. Kyoto (about 2.5 hrs away from Tokyo by train) is the shrine and temple mecca of Japan as unfortunately World War II bombing destroyed much of Tokyo's architecture and art. So if you're in Japan, try to make it to Kyoto.
One question we did have was.... What's up with this?
We saw what we knew as the offensive Nazi Swastika included in various works of art and outside many religious buildings. Knowing that the symbol had to have pre-dated Nazi Germany, I left it to my 'go-to-guy', "Mr. Something". It just so happens that the symbol meant Life and Good Luck for 3000 years before the Third Reich adopted it as their brand.
Back to Kyoto... The autumn leaves were at the height of their color change and we were happy to be in the middle of it all. Most of Kyoto's Temples and Shrines are located along Tetsugaku-No-Michi aka "The Path of Philosphy" the walk is about 2 miles. At first, I was intent on remembering the names of all the beautiful places we visited but then it wasn't long before I canned that idea and decided just to enjoy them. Very Zen.
These are just a taste of the places we visited...
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| Rokuon-ji Temple/The Golden Pavilion | |
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| The Ginka-Ju Temple/Silver Pavilion |
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| Nanzen-ji (I think) |
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| Chion-In Shrine |
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| Higashimayu? No idea. |
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| No clue |
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| I know it's Shinto |
Tokyo
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| Senso-Ji |
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| The smoke is incense used prior to entering the temple for cleansing mind and spirit |
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| Marketplace at the entrance to Senso-Ji |
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you're killing me
Yeah, the Hindus and Buddhists used the swastika as a good luck symbol long before Hitler commandeered it. Too bad it takes such a short time for meanings to change (but I still have it incorporated in my back tattoo)
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