Saturday March 2, 2013 continued
Now it's inevitable that we see a lot of temples, stupas, shrines, and other such Babylonish vestiges wherever we go in Asia. And whilst historically interesting, there is a lot we are not particularly enamored with...
But the next little stop on our agenda has 3 or 4 things that we do like and you might too. Theres bamboo, green tea, Japanese traditional architecture and gardens.
Welcome to HÅkoku-ji or "Bamboo Temple" of Zen Buddhism.
As our Korean friend, Kwon can attest, we love bamboo forests, and this little temple has an exquisite grove of the stuff
If you put your computer to your ear you can almost hear the gentle breeze swishing through the leaves.
And smell the moss on the stone garden lantern.
Must be about 20 meters tall.
And 15 cm in diameter at the base.
Matcha, or japanese green tea.
Terra-cotta roof tiles form garden steps.
The temple itself. Unlike so many religious buildings, this one is not lathered in spooky or flamboyant decoration. The simplicity that Japanese are so famous for seems to originate in its own brand of Buddhism, Zen
Natural cedar wall cladding.
The raked pebble garden. Stones represent islands and the pebbles the water.
Rock on a rope???
We are about one month too early for cherry blossom season .... But these plum blossoms look pretty good.
Where too next?
Lloydnalex
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