1. Kyoto

  Kyoto (lit. the capital of the capital) was the capital of Japan from 794 (in the reign of Emperor Kanmu) to 1868 (Emperor Meiji or Mutsuhito).  The current population is about 1,463,456 (Kyoto City Census, Feb.1, 2005); 2,645,208 (Kyoto Prefecture Census, Feb.1, 2005).  In spite of numerous wars and fires for more than 1,200 years, Kyoto still keep infinite cultural heritages of Japan.  Due to its historic value, Kyoto was not chosen as a target of U.S. air raids, which severely damaged many major Japanese cities including Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.  However, Kyoto also has an aspect of the modern city now.

  The following description is quoted from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Website:

  Built in A.D. 794 on the model of the capitals of ancient China, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from its foundation until the middle of the 19th century.  As the centre of Japanese culture for more than 1,000 years, Kyoto illustrates the development of Japanese wooden architecture, particularly religious architecture, and the art of Japanese gardens, which has influenced landscape gardening the world over.

  For further information of Kyoto's World Cultural Heritage,
    Go to: World Cultural Heritage: Kyoto.
    Go to: World Heritage Cultural Property: Ancient Kyoto.
    Go to: World Heritage Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
  
  

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2. The Kyoto Protocol 1997

  Kyoto has recently become known as the center city of the world-wide environmental issues, especially against the Global Warming.
  Dear American friends, please help to persuade the American government to ratify the treaty even if it might slightly slow down the growth of the American industry which is producing as much as about 40% of the entire world pollution now.  Without America's ratification, we cannot stop the horrible Global Warming which would deadly damage the biogeocenosis and the terrain of the world in the near future:

  The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005.  To mark this date, some Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, as well as institutions and organizations, have planned events and other activities.  In order to assist those who wish to attend or promote their activities, the UNFCCC secretariat has compiled a list of known events and activities.  Japan held a commemorative symposium and global video conference on 16 February 2005 to celebrate the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol.  These events took place in the historic city of Kyoto where the Protocol was originally adopted in 1997. (quoted from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website)

  Go to: the Kyoto Protocol Information and More.
  
  

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3. References to Kyoto in James Joyce's Finnegans Wake
  
  According to Louis O. Mink's A "Finnegans Wake" Gazetteer (1978), there are some references to Kyoto in Finnegans Wake:
  
  KYOTO (KIOTO).  City, West central Honshu, Jap; for more than 1000 years the residence of the Imperial family; captal of Japan from 794 to 1868.
  
534.02  Kyow!  Tak.
550.28  kiotowing  (Mink 374)
  

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Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (伏見稲荷大社), 68 Fukakusayabunouchi-cho, Fushimi Ward, was founded by Irokogu Hata in the 4th year of Wado (711) in the Yamashiro Bashin at the foot of [Fushimi] Inari-san (Hill of [Fushimi] Inari, 233 m). This shrine is the largest Inari shrine and the head shrine of no less than 30,00 Inari shrines over Japan. The asylum consists of several shrines including "Sakura-mon" (Gate of Cherry Blossoms), "Hon-den" (Main Shrine) and "Oku-no-in" (formerly "Okush-Hohai-sho"; Penetralia), followed by the 4km sacred tunnel made of ten thousands of red torii (Japanese shrine gates) making their maze-like way through the woods to the core of the mysterious Hill of Inari. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine enshrines Inari-Daimyojin (稲荷大明神), the mysterious Shinto Goddess of Rice, Sake and Fertility who is associated with "kitsune" (foxes) and red torii. Japanese people are very familiar to the old superstition that foxes and raccoon dogs have a magic power to enchant people especially in a lonely place. The fox statue is often seen carrying a key in his mouth, which is for the rice granary. Statues of menacing "kitsune" (foxes), said to have the magic power to take possession of human spirits, alternate with torii gates. Foxes are said to love "Inari-zushi" (sour and sweet rice balls rolled in fried tofu [bean curd]), which is available in any sushi restaurant and many traditional takeaway shop, etc. They have a variety of events and festivals throughout the year. Fushimi Inari Shrine once experienced a total destruction in March 1468 during the series of Wars of Onin/Bunmei in the Muromachi Period (1392-1573). In December 1468 the shrine managed to build a provisionary shrine according to the shrine record. They gradually reconstructed shrine buildings between 1477-1499. As Hideyoshi Toyotomi constructed a legendary gigantic castle Fushimi-jo nearby and worshipped the shrine profoundly to pray for his mother's recovery in 1588: Her mother was said to be restored to health thanks to the continuous prayers at the shrine. Hideyoshi officially acknowledged the shrine's old manor which was also assured by the Tokugawa Shogunate in the Edo Period (1603-1867). The founder Hata family (秦氏族) is considered to have come from "Shiragi" (新羅; the southeast Korean dynasty Shilla/Silla, 356-935). In the early sixth century, they mainly domiciled in Uzumasa, Yamashiro (now Ukyo Ward, Kyoto). Irokogu Hata was a younger brother of Tori Hata who founded Matsuo-taisha Shrine (松尾大社) at the foot of Matsuo-san (Hill of Matsuo, now Arashiyama, Nishigyo Ward, Kyoto) in 701. (*Matsuo-taisha Shrine is reportedly the oldest shrine of Kyoto.) Thus Irogoku Hata's family in Fukakusa is considered to be a cadet family of the Hata clan.

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(Saturday 17 March) Map & Information board of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) "Ichi-no-Torii" (the First Red Shrine Gate) in the Omote-Sando [main approach to the shrine] of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) "Ni-no-Torii" (the Second Red Shrine Gate) in the Omote-Sando [main approach to the shrine] of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) "Ro-mon" (the Two-Storied Gate/ Tower Gate, built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi n 1589), Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) One of "Koma-Kitsune" (a pair of stone-carved guardian foxes at the gate of the Shinto shrine), Fushimi-Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) The other of "Koma-Kitsune" (a pair of stone-carved guardian foxes at the gate of the Shinto shrine), Fushimi-Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) "Mai-den" (the Sacred Dance Hall), Fushimi-Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) "Hon-den" (Main Shrine, built in the "Inari Style" in 1499), Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) "Hon-den" (Main Shrine, built in the "Inari Style" in 1499), Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) "Mai-den" (the Sacred Dance Hall), Fushimi-Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Fushimi-Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) A "Torii" (the Red Shrine Gate) indicating the way to the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Map of Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

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(Saturday 17 March) Inari-yama, the deeper part of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

Tofuku-ji

Enichi-san Tofuku-ji Temple (慧日山 東福寺), 15 Hon-machi, Higashiyama Ward, is the head temple of the Tofuku-ji School of the Rinzai-shu sect (臨済宗) of Zen Buddhism. It was founded by Michiie Kujo the great statesman in 1236. Even its name, "Tofuku-ji," is a combination of one character from the names of Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Temple in Nara. Most of the original buildings were burned down by the three fires in 1319, 1334 and 1336, and took about twenty years to the complete reconstruction. Since this temple was ranked among the Five Great Temples of Kyoto in 1334, it flourished long as the complete Zen temple. However, in the 14th year of Meiji Era (1881), the "Butsu-den" (Buddha Hall) and the "Hatto" (Lecture Hall), etc. were destroyed by fire. They were all reconstructed by 1934. However, the temple retains the magnificent scale characteristic of a medieval Zen temple.

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(Tuesday 21 February) The "Nikka-mon" Gate of Tofuku-ji Temple: Most visitors usually go through this gate to the precincts.

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(Tuesday 21 February) Map of Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) "Tsuten-bashi" (the Bridge to Heaven), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) "Tsuten-bashi" (the Bridge to Heaven), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) "Tsuten-bashi" (the Bridge to Heaven), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) The garden viewed from "Tsuten-bashi" (the Bridge to Heaven), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) The Aizen-do Hall, built in the early Muromachi Period (1392-1573), Tofuku-ji Temple. Originally called "Manjyu-ji Aizen-do" and moved from Manjyu-ji Temple, Kyoto in the early Showa Era (1926-1989). It enshrines "Aizen-myo-o" (Skt. Ragaraja or the All-Accepting Diety).

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(Tuesday 21 February) "Kaisan-do" (the Founder's Hall; also called "Joraku-an"; the Hall of Ever Comfort), Tofuku-ji Temple. The original building was burnt down in 1819 and reconstructed by Tadayoshi Ichijo n 1823.

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(Tuesday 21 February) Interior of the "Kaisan-do" (the Founder's Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) The Zen garden of the "Kaisan-do" (the Founder's Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) The Zen garden of the "Kaisan-do" (the Founder's Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) "Hojo" (the Abbot's Hall, originally built in 1235; reconstructed in 1890), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) "Hojo" (the Abbot's Hall, originally built in 1235; reconstructed in 1890), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) The tablet "Hojo," "Hojo" (the Abbot's Hall, originally built in 1235; reconstructed in 1890), Tofuku-ji Temple

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(Tuesday 21 February) The west garden of "Hojo Teien" (the Four Gardens of the Abbot's Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple. The gardens arranged at the four quarters around the building of Hojo were laid out in 1939 by Mirei Shigemori, afamous garden-builder, who intended to express the simplicity of Zen in the Kamakura Period (1192-1333) with the abstract construction of modern arts. The following description is quoted from the official pamphlet: The southern garden: This garden in the front of Hojo is the most contrived work among the four gardens and is composed of four rock-composites symbolizing the Elysian Islands from the east to the west, named, "Eiju, Horai, Koryo and Hojo," placed on the sand garden floor "Hakkai" (meaning the eight rough seas) and five moss-covered sacred mountains at the right corner in the west side. The western garden: Compared with rigidity of the southern garden's Zen style (dry stone garden), this garden has a gentle style composed of moss and azalea-shrubs trimmed in a chequered pattern in imitation of "Seiden," a Chinese way dividing the land. The northern garden: Squared-cutted stones and moss are distributed in a small-sized chequered pattern. This garden faced on the "Tsuten-bashi" Bridge and gorge noted as an autumn-tinted valley "Sengyokukan." The eastern garden: Seven cylindrical stones are arranged in the moss field so as to the represent main stars of the Great Bear of Heaven. These stones were originally foundation-stones used at the other place of the temple.

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(Tuesday 21 February) The southern garden of "Hojo Teien" (the Four Gardens of the Abbot's Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple: 'This garden in the front of Hojo is the most contrived work among the four gardens and is composed of four rock-composites symbolizing the Elysian Islands from the east to the west, named, "Eiju, Horai, Koryo and Hojo," placed on the sand garden floor "Hakkai" (meaning the eight rough seas) and five moss-covered sacred mountains at the right corner in the west side' (quoted from the official pamphlet).

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(Tuesday 21 February) The western garden and the southern garden of "Hojo Teien" (the Four Gardens of the Abbot's Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple. 'The southern garden: This garden in the front of Hojo is the most contrived work among the four gardens and is composed of four rock-composites symbolizing the Elysian Islands from the east to the west, named, "Eiju, Horai, Koryo and Hojo," placed on the sand garden floor "Hakkai" (meaning the eight rough seas) and five moss-covered sacred mountains at the right corner in the west side' (quoted from the official pamphlet). 'The western garden: Compared with rigidity of the southern garden's Zen style (dry stone garden), this garden has a gentle style composed of moss and azalea-shrubs trimmed in a chequered pattern in imitation of "Seiden," a Chinese way dividing the land' (quoted from the official pamphlet).

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(Tuesday 21 February) The southern garden of "Hojo Teien" (the Four Gardens of the Abbot's Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple. 'This garden in the front of Hojo is the most contrived work among the four gardens and is composed of four rock-composites symbolizing the Elysian Islands from the east to the west, named, "Eiju, Horai, Koryo and Hojo," placed on the sand garden floor "Hakkai" (meaning the eight rough seas) and five moss-covered sacred mountains at the right corner in the west side' (quoted from the official pamphlet).

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(Tuesday 21 February) The southern garden of "Hojo Teien" (the Four Gardens of the Abbot's Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple. 'This garden in the front of Hojo is the most contrived work among the four gardens and is composed of four rock-composites symbolizing the Elysian Islands from the east to the west, named, "Eiju, Horai, Koryo and Hojo," placed on the sand garden floor "Hakkai" (meaning the eight rough seas) and five moss-covered sacred mountains at the right corner in the west side' (quoted from the official pamphlet).

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(Tuesday 21 February) "San[gedatsu]-mon" (Gate of Three Emancipations; Main Gate of a Zen Temple), Tofuku-ji Temple. "San-mon" symbolizes the three Zen gates, "Ku-mon," "Muso-mon" and "Musaku-mon." This gate was the oldest existing Japanese Zen gate built in 1394-1428 (or 1384-1387).

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(Tuesday 21 February) "San[gedatsu]-mon" (Gate of Three Emancipations; Main Gate of a Zen Temple), Tofuku-ji Temple. "San-mon" symbolizes the three Zen gates, "Ku-mon," "Muso-mon" and "Musaku-mon." This gate was the oldest existing Japanese Zen gate built in 1394-1428 (or 1384-1387).

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(Tuesday 21 February) "San[gedatsu]-mon" (Gate of Three Emancipations; Main Gate of a Zen Temple), Tofuku-ji Temple. "San-mon" symbolizes the three Zen gates, "Ku-mon," "Muso-mon" and "Musaku-mon." This gate was the oldest existing Japanese Zen gate built in 1394-1428 (or 1384-1387).

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(Tuesday 21 February) "Hon-do" (Main Hall), Tofuku-ji Temple. The present building was reconstructed in 1934.

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(Tuesday 21 February) A traditional house between Tofuku-ji Temple and JR Tofukuji Station

Senyu-ji Temple

To-zan [Sen-zan] Sennyu-ji Temple (東山 or 泉山 泉涌寺) or Sohon-zan Mitera Sennyu-ji Temple (総本山 御寺 泉涌寺, 27 Sennyuji-Yamanouchi-cho, Higashiyama Ward) is located at the foot of Mt. Tsukinowa (月輪山) in Higashiyama Ward in Kyoto. The origin of this temple, familiar to local citizens with the name "Mitera" (御寺), can be traced back to the Tencho era (天長年間; 824-834) when Great Priest Kobo (弘法大師) founded a small temple in this place. That small temple, which was first called by the name, Horin-ji (法輪寺), and in 1218, Senyu-ji (仙遊寺), was remarkably enlarged by Great Priest Gachirin Shunjo (月輪大師俊仍, 1166-1227). Large temple buildings were built in the contemporary Chinese style of the Song Dynasty (宋), and the temple was renamed after the clear water beginning to flow from its precinct as "Sennyu-ji" (泉涌寺) or a temple of the flowing fountain. Priest Shunjo entered the priesthood as a young man. He went to Song (宋) to study Buddhism. After coming back, he turned Sennyu-ji Temple into a prosperous temple covering four schools of Buddhism; Shingon Esoteric Buddhism (真言宗), Tendai Buddhism (天台宗), Zen Buddhism (禅宗) and Pure Land Buddhism (浄土宗). The temple has been supported by the Imperial family, pious Buddhists. Since the burial of Emperor Shijo (四条天皇) in this temple in 1242, the mausoleum of several succeeding emperors were built in this area, with this temple playing the role of a mourning temple for the Imperial family.

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(Saturday 24 February) "Dai-mon" (Great Gate), Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) "Yokihi-Kannon-do" (楊貴妃 観音堂; Empress Yang-Avalokitesvara Hall), Sennyu-ji Temple. Empress Yang (or Yang Kuei-fei; Yang Guifei, AD 719-756) is known as a wife of the Emperor Xuan Zong of the Tang Dynasty and also as a exquisite beauty of the Chinese history. When she died, the Emperor missed her very much and had her sculpture made in an image of Avalokitesvara, which was brought to this temple by Priest Tankai (堪海律師) in 1255. The beauty and holiness of the statue have been attracting worshippers.

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(Saturday 24 February) A picture of Empress Yang on the wall of "Yokihi-Kannon-do" (Empress Yang-Avalokitesvara Hall), Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) "Gan-kake Jizo" (Ksitigarbha-odhisattva [Buddhist Guardian Deity of Children] for offering prayers) on the left of "Yokihi-Kannon-do," Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) "Butsu-den" (Buddha's Hall), Sennyu-ji Temple, viewed from the Great Gate. This building was reconstructed by the order of the 4th Tokugawa Shogun Ietsuna (徳川家綱) in 1668. This location of the main building (building a main hall at the bottom of the hill/mountain) is very rare in Japan, although another famous example is "Komponchu-do" (Main Hall) of Hiei-zan Enryaku-ji Temple.

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(Saturday 24 February) "Butsu-den" (Buddha's Hall), Sennyu-ji Temple, viewed from the Great Gate

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(Saturday 24 February) "Butsu-den" (Buddha's Hall), Sennyu-ji Temple. The structure of the building is a typical "Kara-yo" (lit. traditional Chinese) style. The celing is decorated with a painting of a dragon by Tanyu Kano (狩野探幽, 1602-1674): Tanyu also painted the image of Avalokitesvara in a white garment on the wall of the Ura-do (裏堂).

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(Saturday 24 February) "Butsu-den" (Buddha's Hall), Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) "Shari-den" (Relics Hall), behind "Butsu-den," Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) Gate to Hon-bo (residential building), Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) Probably "Tearai-bachi" (washhand basin) in the inner garden of "Honbo," Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) Inner garden of "Honbo," Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) Inner garden of "Honbo," Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) "Chokushi-mon" (Gate for Imperial Emvoys),to "Goza-sho" (御座所; the Imperial Chamber), Sennyu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) "Sennyu-ji Mizuyakata" (泉涌寺 水屋形) or the fountain hall of the temple. This temple was named after this clear spring.

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(Saturday 24 February) Monument inscribed with a tanka poem collected in [Ogura] Hyakuninisshu (『(小倉) 百人一首』(the Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets) as No. 62 poem by Lady Sei-shonagon (清少納言, ?966-?1025) whose father Motosuke Kiyohara (清原元輔, 908-990) lived here: 夜をこめて (Yo wo Komete) 鳥のそら音は (Tori no Sora-ne ha) はかるとも (Hakaru tomo) よに逢坂の (Yoni Osaka no) 関はゆるさじ (Seki wa Yurusaji) (Before the daybreak, Even if you attempt to imitate The crowning of a cock, Never will I allow you to pass the Barrier Station of Osaka.) (trans. Eishiro Ito) *The Barrier Station of Osaka (逢坂関) was located on the hill of Osaka-yama (逢坂山, 325 m), Otsu City, Shiga (demolished in 795). It has been referred to in many tanka poems because Osaka literally means "the barrier of lovers' secret meeting."

Unryu-in

Ruri-san Unryu-in (瑠璃山 雲龍院), the Sennyu-ji Branch Temple (泉涌寺別院) is located in 36 Sennyuji-Yamanouchi-cho (泉涌寺山内町), Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. It was founded in 1372 by Emperor Gokogon (後光厳天皇; or Iyahito; 弥仁; r.1352-1371; 1338-1374)) of Hoku-cho (Takauji Ashikaga [足利尊氏]'s Northern Dynasty in the Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (南北朝時代; 1336-1392). Like Sennyu-ji Temple, it does not belong to any particular Buddhist sect: It is the fortieth temple of the Western Japan Pilgrimage for Yakushi-nyorai (薬師如来; Skt. Bhaisajyaguru-vaiduryaprabha; the Physician of Souls). It is also famous for copying for a sutra.

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(Saturday 24 February) San-mon Gate (山門; temple gate), Unryu-in Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) Approach to the entrance, Unryu-ji Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) "Shoro" (belfry), Unryu-in Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) A small shrine in the garden, viewed from the main hall called "Ryuka-den" Hall (竜華殿), Unryu-in Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) Inner garden viewed from "Shoin" (書院; a drawing room), Unryu-in Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) Inner garden viewed from "Shoin" (書院; a drawing room), Unryu-in Temple

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(Saturday 24 February) A picture of the dragon in the clouds in the entrance hall, Unryu-in Temple: The dragon is the symbol of this temple as the name indicates.

Fushimi-jo Castle

The Restored Fushimi-jo Castle (伏見城) is located in Fushimi-Momoyama-jo Athletic Park (伏見桃山城運動公園), Momoyama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City. The nearest stations are Tambabashi Station (丹波橋駅) on Keihan-honsen Line (京阪電気鉄道京阪本線) and Momoyama Station (桃山駅) on JR Nara Line (JR奈良線). The original Fushimi-jo Castle was built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣秀吉) in 1592 (文禄元年) which was demolished by the Tokugawa Shogunate government in 1623 (元和9年). The present reconstructed castle was built as part of Fushimi-Momoyama-jo Castle Land pleasure ground (伏見桃山城キャッスルランド) in 1964 (昭和39年). Now you cannot enter the inside of the castle because of not filling the quakeproofing standards.

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(Tuesday 20 March) Signpost of the Restored Fushimi-jo Castle, Fushimi-Momoyama-jo Athletic Park

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(Tuesday 20 March) The crest of Toyotomi Family, the Restored Fushimi-jo Castle

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(Tuesday 20 March) The Restored Fushimi-jo Castle, Fushimi-Momoyama-jo Athletic Park

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(Tuesday 20 March) The Restored Fushimi-jo Castle, Fushimi-Momoyama-jo Athletic Park

Nogi-jinjya Shrine

This is the largest one of the five Nogi-jinjya Shrines (乃木神社) across Japan. This is located at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum; Itakurasuo, Momoyama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City (伏見桃山陵; 京都市伏見区桃山町板倉周防) dedicated to Emperor Mutsuhito of the Meiji Era (明治天皇 睦仁) and his wife Shoken Kotaigo Haruko (昭憲皇太后; 一条美子) who favored Maresuke Nogi (乃木希典, 1849-1912). This shrine dedicated to both Maresuke and his wife Shizuko Nogi (乃木静子, 1859-1912) who suffered martyrdom on September 13 , 1912 at the death of Emperor Mutsuhito. Count Nogi Maresuke (乃木希典), GCB, also known as Kiten, Count Nogi, (December 25, 1849 - September 13, 1912) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, and a prominent figure in the Russo-Japanese War (日露戦争). The Russo-Japanese War (February 8, 1904 - September 5, 1905) was "the first great war of the 20th century." It grew out of rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea. The major theatres of operations were Southern Manchuria, specifically the area around the Liaodong Peninsula and Mukden; and the seas around Korea, Japan, and the Yellow Sea. Russians sought a warm water port on the Pacific Ocean, for their navy as well as for maritime trade. Vladivostok was only operational during the summer season, but Port Arthur would be operational all year. From the end of the First Sino-Japanese War and 1903, negotiations between Russia and Japan had proved impractical. Japan chose war to gain dominance in Korea. After discussions broke down in 1904, the Japanese Navy attacked the Russian eastern fleet at Port Arthur, a naval base in the Liaotung province leased to Russia by China, which led to war. The Russians were poorly organized and the Japanese defeated them in a series of battles on land and at sea. The resulting campaigns, in which the Japanese military attained victory over the Russian forces arrayed against them, were unexpected by world observers. As time transpired, these victories would transform the balance of power in East Asia, resulting in a reassessment of Japan's recent entry onto the world stage. (Cited from the site of "Wikipedia")

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(Tuesday 20 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Main Shrine (本殿), Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Main Shrine (本殿), Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Portrait of Maresuke Nogi, Main Shrine (本殿), Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Portrait of Shizuko Nogi, Main Shrine (本殿), Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Bust of Maresuke Nogi, Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Ebisu-jinjya Shrine (えびす神社), Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Restored house of Maresuke Nogi, Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Restored house of Maresuke Nogi, Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

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(Tuesday 20 March) Restored house of Maresuke Nogi, Nogi-jinjya Shrine at the foot of the Fushimi-Momoyama Imperial Mausoleum

Terada-ya Inn

During the Edo Period (江戸時代 1603-1868) Terada-ya Inn (寺田屋) was an inn for ship passengers along the Hori-kawa River (濠川) of the Uji-gawa River (宇治川). The inn is available for tourists: the address is 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City (京都市伏見区南浜町263). The nearest station is Chushojima (中書島駅) on Keihan-honsen Line (京阪本線). This traditional inn is famous for two incidents before the Meiji Restoration (明治維新). On April 23, 1862 (文久2年) Shinshichi Arima (有馬新七) and his 35 radical followers of the Satsuma clan gathered here and plotted assassinating the chief adviser to the Emperor (関白) Hisatada Kujo (九条尚忠) and the Shogunate's military governor stationed in Kyoto (京都所司代). The Satsuma clan sent some samurai soldiers to repress them. As the result nine people including Arima died here. It is later called "Teradaya Tumult 1962" (寺田屋騒動). On January 21, 1866 (慶応2年) Ryoma Sakamoto (坂本龍馬, 1835-1868) was attacked by the policemen of Fushimi Magistrate's Office (伏見奉行所) when he and his escort Shinzo Miyoshi (三吉慎蔵, 1831-1901) stayed here, although they managed to escape from the inn thanks to the emergency alert by his future wife Ryo Narasaki (楢崎龍, 1841-1906) who took a bath downstairs when she noticed that the inn was besieged: O-Ryo was almost naked climbing the stairs. It is later called "Teradaya Incident 1966" (寺田屋事件).

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(Tuesday 20 March) Hori-kawa River (濠川) near Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Hori-kawa River (濠川) near Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Statues of Ryoma Sakamoto and O-Ryo by the Hori-kawa River (濠川) near Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Statues of Ryoma Sakamoto and O-Ryo by the Hori-kawa River (濠川) near Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Ryoma's room, Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Ryoma's room, Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Ryoma's room, Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Sword cut on the wood pillar, Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Bathroom of Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Bathroom of Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Stairs from the bathroom to Ryoma's room, Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

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(Tuesday 20 March) Stairs from the bathroom to Ryoma's room, Terada-ya Inn, 263 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku

        

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