Many temples hold special ceremonies on March 15th to commemorate the Buddha's death, or passing into Nirvana (Nehan 涅槃 in Japanese). One of the more spectacular and eventful commemorations is at Seiryō-ji temple in Saga. There are a number of reasons why you might want to attend this particular event. On this day only, entry to the temple interior is free. It has a … [Read more...] about Fire Ceremony & Kyōgen Performance at Seiryō-ji on March 15th
Plum Blossom at the Imperial Palace Park
On my way home from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine the other day, I stopped by the Imperial Palace Park to enjoy the plum blossom. The trees at Kitano Tenmangu are probably more famous, but the shrine grounds were also a lot more crowded. Though each tree in the park had its admirers, there was really only a small scattering of people around, and so I could enjoy the blooms in a more … [Read more...] about Plum Blossom at the Imperial Palace Park
梅花祭 ~ Plum Blossom & Geisha at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine has a huge flea market on the 25th of every month, but on the 25th of February this coincides with the peak period for plum blossom viewing. Naturally this calls for a special celebration so every year they hold a special outdoor tea ceremony with geiko and maiko (Kyoto's geisha) serving the tea. I went along today and found the place packed out with … [Read more...] about 梅花祭 ~ Plum Blossom & Geisha at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
The Heiji Monogatari Emaki – Interactive Scroll Now Online
"Few paintings of the period capture the force, confusion, and terror of battle as effectively as does the episode of the burning of the Sanjō Palace in the Heiji monogatari emaki." - The Encyclopaedia Britannica One night in January 1160, a band of 500 men stormed the retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa's palace at Sanjō, took the former emperor captive, killed most of his staff … [Read more...] about The Heiji Monogatari Emaki – Interactive Scroll Now Online
Kyoto Botanical Gardens by Izumi Texidor Hirai
In this post we have a special excerpt from Deep Kyoto: Walks written by Izumi Texidor Hirai. In her walk through the Botanical Gardens, Izumi weaves personal recollection with finely observed details of life in the gardens as they pass through the four seasons. Let today's excerpt from Izumi's walk serve as a happy reminder of all the special seasonal joys that the year ahead … [Read more...] about Kyoto Botanical Gardens by Izumi Texidor Hirai
