Good evening! Another lovely day of sightseeing done.
A little story from yesterday.
The material above I bought for Jeff along with a couple of others. My clever Mum has said she will make them into scrubs for him. We’ve always been taken with these characters but didn’t know much about them.
When we went to the craft market the other day I spotted this fabulous bag that was exactly right for days out here…
Then by chance on our driving day out with my friends they realised I loved these characters and we drove right past the temple where the monk who drew them resided!!! (A very very long time ago!!!)
Up we go into the cool green forest.
Then on a small hut I could see the characters.
Chouju-jinbutsu-giga. “Scrolls of frolicking animals”
It’s said that the monk, Toba Sojo was the artist but it can’t be said for sure…it was all so very long ago.
The temple is Kosan-ji and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!!
It was founded in 1206!
There were no photos allowed inside the building but it was ok to take them on the outside. The scroll replicas in the temple are so beautiful… of course the original ones are housed in safer museums.
The temple is nestled in the mountains and the views from the verandas that surround the temple are serene.
I love the way the temple has sliding doors that essentially opens up entire rooms to the outside.
Another interesting fact about this temple is that it also is the site of Japan’s oldest tea field! They also serve green tea here if you would like.
Why not finish up with a couple of selfies??
I’ve known Mari and Koichi for 33 years now!!!!
Getting Maureen in on the act too!
See you later with the next Japan story!
Xxx.
