Voyager Tree

Sanboin was built by the 14th Archbishop, Shokaku, in 1115. The building has since been used as the residence of successive archbishops of Daigoji Temple. Most of Sanboin’s buildings are deisgnated as important cultural properties. Of those buildings, Omote-Shoin, which commands a view of the entire garden, is designated as a national treasure for it’s importance in transmitting the Shinden-zukuri style of architecture and representing buildings of the Momoyama period. The building that stands tall to the east of Omote-Shoin is Junjokan and farthest east Hondo Hall is located in which the statues of the statue of the temple’s principal image Mirokubosatsu (Maitreya bodhisattva) carved by Kaikei, Kobo Daishi, the founder of Daigoji Temple are enshrined. The garden of Sanboin was designed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi personally and ordered by him to have the famous stone “Fujito Ishi”, the symbol of the supreme ruler, brought from Jurakudai, thus it has been known as the garden of the ruler. It is now designated by the government as a special historic spot and a place of scenic beauty in Japan.

(Ref: Daigoji Temple pamphlet)

(above: my goshuin for this beautiful temple)

Reihokan Area:

Ever since it’s founding, Daigoji has been protected by the prayers of Emperors, nobles, warriors and ordinary people. Throughout it’s history Daigoji has preserved over 100,000 buddhist statues, paintings and applied arts.

Reihokan was opened in 1935 in order to preserve amd display this precious collection. In 2001 the Yakushi Sanzon statues (National Treasures) were brought down from Yakushido in Kami-Daigo (the upper part of Daigo) to reside in Reihokan. Likewise, in 2014, statues of the Godai Myo’o (the five great wisdom kings, importsnt cultural assets) were transferred from Godaido in Kami-Daigo and enshrined in the Heisei hall in Reihokan. The seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai in Yakushido (a national treasure) becamr known as Haku-Yakushi, from the popular tradition of applying gold leaf to a part of a statue then offering prayers to receive relief from an ailment in that part of the worshipper’s own body. The fuve great Wisdom Kings are popularly known through “Gidairiki-san” (the Godai-Rikison Ninnoe-e festival) and have long protected people from misfortune. Reihokan also features a large rotating collection of ancient documents, paintings and other treasure revealing the prayer and culture of Daigoji)

(Ref: Daigo Temple pamphlet)

Daigoji:

In 874, the Buddhist monk Shobo Rigen Daishi, who was a grand pupil of Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon mission, built a hermitage on Mt. Daigo and carved two Kannon (Avalokitesvara) statues of Juntei and Nyoirin. Shobo dedicated them in a hall. This is the origin of the Daigoji Temple. After the foundation, thanks to deep devotions of Emperor Daigo, Suzaku, and Murakami, halls and stupas were built one after another as well as five-storey pagoda (Goju-no-to) in 951, completing the Daigoji complex, which covers the mountain from top to bottom. Since it’s opening, Daigoji Temple has retained an important position in the history of Buddhism in Japan. Many of it’s artifacts have been designated as national treasures and important cultural assets. In 1994, Daigoji Temple was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Many annual events are held thay attract a high number of tourists, including the “Ho-Taiko Hanami Gyoretsu (Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s cherry blossom viewing parade)”, “Manto Kuyo-e”, and the “Godai-Rikison Ninno-e Festival (Godairiki-san)”, which is famous for a contest in which participants compete to see who can lift and hold huge amounts of mochi (steamed and pounded rice).

(Ref: Daigoji Temple pamphlet)

What is Goshuin?

Goshuin can be received by visitors in Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines. It is a large stamp, written in ink that proves your visit to a particular temple.

Shuin is often called “goshuin”, “go” being a Japanese honorific prefix.

The style of shuin is different in every temple. Usually, it is the temple’s priest or kannushi who writes in ink the temple’s name, name of the deity and date of visit. 

It is different from so-called “tourist stamp”, that is offered in most tourist destinations.

The origins of shuin

There are many legends regarding the origins of shuin; unfortunately, there is no official explanation.

Normally, shuin is given to those who bring a piece of paper with their wish and donate a sutra (shakyo).

Shakyo means a copy of Buddhist sutra. It is considered beneficial for believers to make a sutra as it becomes training for monks and helps people to achieve Nirvana.

Modern Goshuin

Although some temples don’t give you a stamp unless you donate a sutra, most temples will be happy to give you one for free.

Usually, among Japanese, elderly people and pious people obtain shuin.

However, recently it has also become popular among people in their 20s and 30s. There is an expression “Goshuin girl” which means a young woman, obsessed with shuin.

Foreign tourists see the bright dynamic vermillion color as something uniquely Japanese, which makes it a popular souvenir.

Goshuin-cho (shuin notebook)

Goshuin-cho is a special notebook that you can obtain at a temple.

It is also called “shuin-cho”; normally, honorific suffix “go” is added in order to show respects to temples and deities.

At large temples shuin-cho can be purchased for 1000-2000 yen, some famous temples offer their own shuin-cho.

You can get as much as 20-40 stamps in one notebook. You can get stamps from different temples.

There is an opinion that one should have different notebooks for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples but you don’t need to worry about that.

Apart from temples, the notebooks are also available at stationary and book stores.  They are sold online but it might be difficult to find them in a language other than Japanese.

(Ref: https://www.japanhoppers.com/en/features/temples_shrines/320/)

A shuin (朱印) is a seal stamp given to worshippers and visitors to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan. The seal stamps are often collected in books called shuinchō (朱印帳) that are sold at shrines and temples.^[1]

The stamps are different from commemorative stamps in that they are made by people who work at the temples: Buddhist monks, or Shinto kannushi. To create the shuin, the writer presses down one or more large stamps, and then uses black ink to write, in his distinctive calligraphy, the name of the temple, the day of the visit, and other messages on and around the stamped portions.

There are various theories about the origin of shuin, though the strongest is that it was a receipt for a dedicated copied sutra. There are still temples where one cannot receive a shuin without having donated a sutra or money, but the majority of the temples will now accept a small amount of money for a shuin. It usually costs 300 yen,^[2] though there are some places that charge up to 1000 yen.^[3] At Itsukushima Shrine, there is a sign that asks people to dedicate their feelings.^{[citation needed]}

Special shuinchō (and occasionally hanging scrolls) are available for people who do pilgrimages such as the Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage and the Shikoku Pilgrimage. People who do the Shikoku pilgrimage can also get shuin on the white robes they sometimes wear.

A number of Jōdo Shinshū temples do not offer shuin.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuin)

i

These are the 21 Temple signatures/sutras/mantras I obtained in Japan. I bought the Goshuin book in Mount Osorezan, which is one of the most spiritual places in Japan, on June 9, 2018. These temples and Shinto shrines were all over Japan, mostly in Aomori Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka, and Hyogo Prefecture. This was a personal task I took on and it was a lovely pilgrimage obtaining these spiritual signatures from these beautiful shrines and temples.

I was lucky enough to live and work in Japan for a lengthy time period, with plenty of days off. I took advantage of my work schedule and ventured out to see some of the beauty, culture and spirituality Japan has to offer. This Goshuin book is the single favorite item I will take back home with me when I return from my assignment.

Nanzen-ji (南禅寺 Nanzen-ji), or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly ZenriNanzen-ji (南禅寺 Nanzen-ji), or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly Zenrin-ji (禅林寺 Zenrin-ji), is a Zen Buddhisttemple in Kyoto, Japan. Emperor Kameyamaestablished it in 1291 on the site of his previous detached palace. It is also the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen. The precincts of Nanzen-ji are a nationally designated Historic Siteand the Hōjō gardens a place of scenic beauty.

Nanzen-ji was founded in the middle Kamakura period (1291, or Shōō 4 in the Japanese erasystem).^[3] It was destroyed by fire in 1393, 1447, and 1467, rebuilt in 1597, and expanded in the Edo era.^[4]A large complex, it has varied over time between nine and twelve sub-temples.

Zenkei Shibayama, who provided a popular commentary on the Mumonkan, was an abbot of the monastery.

The temple’s Sanmon gate was originally constructed in the 13th century, destroyed in 1369 at the order of the government, and reconstructed in 1628.^[7] The gate contains stairs to an elevated viewing area, which was the setting for a famous scene in the 1778 Kabuki play Sanmon Gosan no Kiri^[8] inspired by the story of the criminal Ishikawa Goemon who is said to have spoken of the beauty of the view (but who was executed prior to the construction of the current gate).

The hōjō (abbot’s quarters) of Nanzen-ji is notable both for its gardens and its art.

The garden of the hōjō is considered one of the most significant examples of karesansui gardens, and was built in the 1600s by Kobori Enshu.^[4] The garden mirrors natural forms, and is seventy percent gravel.^[9] It has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty.

The hōjō itself, also known as the Seiryo-den, was given to the temple by the Emperor Go-Yōzei.^[10] It contains a variety of important screen paintings on gold backgrounds, including two of tigers by Kanō Tan’yū.^[11] It has been designated a National Treasure.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanzen-ji)

Beautiful temple with amazing rock arrangements, giving a true feeling of zen.

Higashiyama (東山区 Higashiyama-ku, meaning “east mountain”) is one of the eleven wardsin the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.

It was created in 1929 when it was split off from Shimogyō-ku. During the years 1931 to 1976 it also covered the area of present-day Yamashina-ku, which was an independent town until its merger into the city in 1931. The name literally means “Eastern Mountain District”.

Due to the restrictions against urban development, the population inside the ward is continually decreasing. Higashiyama-ku has the lowest population of all the wards in Kyoto, and a disproportionate number of elderly people.

Interposed between the Kamo River and the Higashiyama mountain range, Higashiyama-ku is roughly bounded by the Sanjō street in the north, and the Jūjō street in the south. Historically, this area lay outside the official boundaries of the city of Kyoto. The western part consists mainly of residential areas, whereas the eastern part is covered by forests. In the north, between the Kamo River and Higashi-oji street, there is a commercial district, and in the south there is a semi-industrial zone.

Located central to the development of 15th-century Japanese culture known as Higashiyama Bunka are found here or in Sakyō-ku. Both the entertainment district of Gion in front of Yasaka Shrine, and the area around the stone-paved roads Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka that lead up to the World Heritage Kiyomizu Temple, enjoy protected status to preserve the traditional style buildings. Other temples and shrines in the ward include Tōfuku-ji, Kennin-ji, Kōdai-ji, and Sanjūsangen-dō. 

The Kyoto National Museum is also located inside Higashiyama-ku, as well as the Namikawa Cloisonne Museum.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashiyama-ku,_Kyoto)

This was a beautiful temple. The vegetation and rocks artistically arranged truly gave this zen garden some extra zen feeling.

Shout out to my friend Cam, who recommended this site. She said it was nicer than the Golden Pavilion, and I agree.

Kinkaku (The Golden Pavillion) is a shariden, a Buddhist hall containing relics of Buddha. The pavilion is part of a temple that is formally named Rokuon-ji Temple, but commonly called Kinkaku-Jim Temple, or Temple of this Golden Pavilion. Rokuon-ji is a Zen Buddhist Temple, in the Shokokuji School of the Rinzai Sect.

This area was originally the site of a villa called Kitayama-dai and owned by a statesman, Saionji Kintsune. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, The 3rd shogun of the Muromachi period, took a liking to the area and acquire it from the Saionji family in 1397. He then built his own villa, which he named Kitayama-den.

The garden and buildings centered on the Golden Pavilion were said to represent the Pure Land of Buddha in this world. The villa also functioned as an official guesthouse, welcoming Emperor Gokumatsu (Father of Zen teacher, Ikkyu) and other members of the nobility. Trade with China prospered during the Muromachi period, and the villa reached it’s height of glory as the heart of what became known as Kitayama Culture.

After Yoshimitsu died, in keeping with his will, the villa was converted into a temple by the priest Muso-kokushi, who became the first abbot. The temple’s name, Rokuon-Jim, was derived from the name Yoshimitsu, was given the next world, Rokuon-in-den.

In 1994, Rokuon-ji Temple was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.

(Ref: Temple pamphlet)

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, literally “Temple of the Golden Pavilion”), officially named Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺, literally “Deer Garden Temple”), is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.^[2] It is one of the most popular buildings in Japan, attracting a large number of visitors annually.^[3] It is designated as a National Special Historic Site, a National Special Landscape and is one of 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which are World Heritage Sites.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji)

Gold foil on lacquer covers the upper two levels of Kinkaku and a shinning Phoenix stands on top of the shingles roof. The first level is built in the shinden style of the 11th century imperial aristocracy; the second level is the buke style of the warrior aristocracy; and the top level is the Chinese zenshu-butsuden style. Overall, Kinkaku is representative of Muromachi-period architecture.

(Ref: Temple pamphlet)

The pond with the Golden Pavilion, and islets large and small, is the center of the garden. Rocks donated by various provincial lords of the period are placed through the garden. As a pond garden designed for strolling , it is typical of the Muromuchi period. The garden is listed as a National Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

(Ref: Temple Pamphlet)

Th detached tea house was built during the Edo period. Kinkaku is especially beautiful when seen from here in the late afternoon sun. This view is reflected in the tea house name, Sekkatei (Place of Evening Beauty). The famous alcove pillar is nandina wood (heavenly bamboo).

(Ref: Temple pamphlet)

The temple’s main image is a stone statue of the Buddhist deity Fudo-myo-o. This statue is thought to have been made in the 9th century by Kobo-daishi, founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. Although normally hidden from public view, the image has long been revered for miraculous powers. Open-door rituals are held on Setsuban (in early February) and and August 16th.

(Ref: Temple Pamphlet)

Beautiful temple that is one of the most famous, if not thee most famous, temple in Kyoto. I believe there are a couple of prettier ones in the area, but this temple is still a really beautiful site.

The Philosopher’s Walk (哲学の道 Tetsugaku-no-michi, lit. Path of Philosophy) is a pedestrian path that follows a cherry-tree-lined canal in Kyoto, between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. The route is so-named because the influential 20th-century Japanese philosopher and Kyoto University professor Nishida Kitaro is thought to have used it for daily meditation. It passes a number of temples and shrines such as Hōnen-in, Ōtoyo Shrine, and Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the walk, although many people spend more time visiting the sights along the way. On the northern part of the walk, there are good views of the nearby Daimonji. The walk is a popular destination for tourists and locals, especially during hanami.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher’s_Walk)

A nice ramen shop in the local area.

Unfortunately the main temple of the Kosanji Temple was under renovation, but I still got my Goshuin (buddhist mantra).

Ichiran Ramen, a delicious famous ramen chain in Japan. Thank you, to my friend Cam who introduced me to this place!

Genbudo Museum was newly reopened in the spring of 2018 after undergoing extensive renovations to house its collection of rare minerals and precious stones as well as newly added fossils that include a t-rex, pterosaur, and Asian elephant.
Located directly out in front of the museum is the natural national monument Genbudo Caves, also a part of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark.

Genbudo Museum is located at the entrance of Genbudo Park, a designated national natural treasure. On the first floor is a weaving workshop where you can learn about Toyooka’s traditional art of weaving that has a 2,000-year history and about its connection to the local people. Join the workshop and create your own original coaster, cup, basket and more from natural willow and cane wood. As you wander the first floor you will also find yourself face to face with an Asian elephant (actually just its fossil), these once roamed the Genbudo caves and parts of the San’in Kaigan Geopark.

On the second floor there are exhibits on beautiful and fascinating minerals and rocks as well as fossils that show the history of life. The second floor also has a t-rex fossil on display. A great place for geology and rock fans, and just about everyone will have fun exploring the museum. See if you can find the glowing and musical rocks on display.

At the restaurant you can enjoy seasonal items made with local ingredients, enjoy a cool drink on a hot day or a warm drink on a cold day’s visit. The outdoor terrace offers a beautiful panoramic view over the Maruyama River and surrounding mountains. Go to the souvenir shop to find rock related items, Toyooka shoes, Toyooka woven bags, sweets, and more.

(Ref: https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/genbudo-museum-park/)

This was an awsome museum with some really nice relics. From dinosaur bones to rare and beautiful stones and gems, this is a place worth seeing! The Genbudo Caves and Park across the street is also an amazing site to see.

Genbudo Cave Park consists of five caves, four of which are named after the four gods of the four directions. The caves were formed 1.6 million years ago when the lava from a volcanic explosion cooled forming beautiful columnar joints that resemble a honeycomb pattern. The caves were designated as national natural monuments in 1931. The area is also well known as being the place where Quaternary reversed polarity was first discovered.
Walk along the paved path to all five of the caves. The caves in order from north to south are Kita Suzaku, Minami Suzaku, Byakko, Genbudou, and Seiryuu. Other than Genbudo, the other caves are named after the four gods of the four directions.
Rock formations. If you look at the tips of the columnar joints you will see that they are shaped like hexagonal prisms. The stones use to be mined by local people but has since been baned as the caves have been designated a natural monument of Japan.

(Ref: http://vnk.visitkinosaki.com/explore/things-to-see/genbudo-cave-park/)

This was a very scenic and beautiful site. Highly recommended, if you happen to be in the region.

A local Buddhist Temple and nearby local Shinto Shrine, in a small country town. All of Japan is full of temples and shrines, in bug cities, small towns and villages.

A nice local shrine in the country, where seasonal festivals are held. The main shrine was under renovation for an upcoming festival, and there was a nice hiking path begind it. I started my afternoon with some Rai Tai Ramen, a local ramen restaurant part of a big chain in Japan, then went to the shrine and went on a littel hike, followed by meditation in the Observatory overlooking a local park.

The cherry blossom season begins in a couple of weeks and this trail will be more scenic when that time arrives.

Some local neighborhood children were playing when I left the shrine, so one popped up in these last photos.

A brief look at the shrine at night.

I had to come to this area, not too far south of Tokyo, for a VA appointment. I was here less than 24 hours and took a few pics of the local area and a shrine.

ジョナサン 横須賀中央店

This was a delicious local restaurant I got a delicious plate of food at very late at night, after a couple of drinks.

Some delicious local ramen!

This is a nice shrine and a group of Buddhist Temples in Toyooka. Rainy day but it was still a nice spot with great energy.

Izushi is a castle town that flourished during the Edo era, about 200-300 years ago. There are several fine displays of traditional architecture found throughout the town, which is why Izushi is designated as a national preservation district of important buildings. The town is also famous for its own original style of soba, Japanese buckwheat noodles. Approximately 50 soba shops line the town’s streets.

(Ref: https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/izushi-castle-town/)

Izushi Castle Ruins

The ruins of Izushi castle, which were built in 1604. The wooden bridge, which samurai once used to enter the castle has been reproduced. Placed at the foot of a mountain, this is the perfect place to wander around and get a feel for the deep history of Izushi castle town.

(Ref: https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/izushi-castle-town/)

Arikoyama-inari

Next to the castle ruins, you will find a stone staircase lined with beautiful red torii gates all the way up to the shrine at the top.

(Ref: https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/izushi-castle-town/)

Shinkorou (clock tower)

The clock tower was built in 1871, and still ticks away today as the town’s symbol.

(Ref: https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/izushi-castle-town/)

Hiroshima Castle (広島城 Hiroshima-jō), sometimes called Carp Castle (鯉城 Rijō), is a castle in Hiroshima, Japan that was the home of the daimyō(feudal lord) of the Hiroshima han (fief). The castle was constructed in the 1590s, but was destroyed by the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. It was rebuilt in 1958, a replica of the original that now serves as a museum of Hiroshima’s history before World War II.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Castle)

During the final months of World War II, the castle served as the headquarters of the 2nd General Armyand Fifth Division, stationed there to deter the projected Allied invasion of the Japanese mainland. The castle was destroyed in the atomic bomb blast of August 6, 1945, and for many years, it was believed the castle structure was blown away by the explosion that destroyed Hiroshima, but newly discovered evidence suggests the explosion only destroyed the lower pillars of the castle, and the rest of it collapsed as a result.^[2]

The present tower, constructed largely of concrete, was completed in 1958.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Castle)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (広島平和記念公園Hiroshima Heiwa Kinen Kōen) is a memorial park in the center of Hiroshima, Japan. It is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack, and to the memories of the bomb’s direct and indirect victims (of whom there may have been as many as 140,000). The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is visited by more than one milion people each year.^[1] The park is there in memory of the victims of the nuclear attack on August 6, 1945. On August 6, 1945 the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima Japan.^[2] The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was planned and designed by the Japanese Architect Kenzō Tange at Tange Lab.
The location of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was once the city’s busiest downtown commercial and residential district. The park was built on an open field that was created by the explosion. Today there are a number of memorials and monuments, museums, and lecture halls, which draw over a million visitors annually. The annual 6 August Peace Memorial Ceremony, which is sponsored by the city of Hiroshima, is also held in the park.^[3] The purpose of the Peace Memorial Park is to not only memorialize the victims, but also to establish the memory of nuclear horrors and advocate world peace.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial_Park)

The last few pictures are of the Atomic Bomb Dome. It is a building kept as is from the atomic bombing.