[Kyoto] - Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion

On our way from Nijō Castle to Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion), our guide fed us some history about this Zen temple.

 Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, 

Kinkaku-ji is one of the most representative historical buildings in Japan.

The site of Kinkaku-ji was originally a villa called Kitayama-dai, 

owned by powerful statesman, Saionji Kintsune. 

 Kinkaku-ji's history dates to 1397, when the villa was purchased from the Saionji family

by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and transformed into the Kinkaku-ji complex.

 When Yoshimitsu died, the building was converted into a Zen temple 

by his son, according to his wishes. (Wikipedia)

The version I heard from the tour guide was more complicated, 

but I remembered that our guide said to show his filial piety, 

his son who built this temple.

    

 Pure gold leaf foil on lacquer covered the upper top two levels
of the pavilion boasts its grandeur majestic view.

It blends well with lush green background and big mirror pond (鏡湖池 = Kyōko-chi), which designed to harmony between heaven and earth. 

The gold color is believed to purify any negative thoughts and feelings towards death.

 

Kinkakuji was built to echo the extravagant Kitayama culture that developed in 

the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu's times. 

Each floor represents a different style of architecture.

The building was an important model for Ginkaku-ji 

(Silver Pavilion Temple) and Shōkoku-ji in Kyoto. 

 

 The first floor is built in the Shinden style used for palace buildings during 

the Heian Period, with its natural wood pillars and white plaster walls 

contrasts yet complements the gilded upper stories of the pavilion. 

 The first floor pavilion is called The Chamber of Dharma Waters, 

which functions as Shariden, housing relics of the Buddha (Buddha's Ashes). 

You can only view the statues from across the pond from the front windows, 

because it is not allowed to enter the pavilion.

The second floor built in the Bukke style used in samurai residences.

This Buddha Hall (Butsuden) is called Tower of Sound Waves. 

Inside seated Bodhisattva Kannon (Guānyīn) and 

guarded by Shitenno (Four Heavenly Kings).

 

The uppermost third floor built in Chinese Zen style with cusped windows and ornaments. 

 Appropriately, it houses an Amida triad and twenty-five Bodhisattvas. 

A shinning golden phoenix capped on top of the shingled roof. Overall, Kinkaku is representative of Muromachi-period architecture.

Rear view of  Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion with Tsuridono (fishing deck).

Kinkakuji implemented the idea of borrowed scenery that integrates the outside and the inside, creating an extension of the views surrounding the pavilion and connecting it with the outside world.

From Golden pavilion, we walked pass by this Living quarters (Hojo) 

of the former head priest, but it's also not open to public.

  

 This Hojo is famous for the painted sliding doors (Fusuma).

Pretty interesting 600 years old pine tree... it looks like a sailing ship.

This tree gives the impression of sailing towards the Buddhist Pure Land. Though the temple has been burnt numerous times by war and by arson by a monk in 1950, this tree has survived all the fire disasters. 

Behind the pavilion, there's another small pond called Anmintaku 

where White Snake Mound located. 

It said that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu had many mistresses. One of them was deeply jealous of the others, and threw herself into the pond and became white snake. Yoshimitsu built the stone pagoda to console her soul. 

Hakujanotsuka (Stone Pagoda in memory of White Snake).

People tossing coins at the statues for good luck.

Then the guide brought us to temple's garden Kaiyūshikiteien. This strolling garden is designed to be a Buddhist paradise based on the Western Pure Land of Amida Nyorai (Amitābha Buddha) and with each step you feel more tranquil.  

 The Golden Pavilion is set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden.

'Toryumon' The Dragon Waterfall.

This waterfall is designed to look like a carp fish 

swimming upstream against the fiercely waterfall. 

According to Chinese legend, any fish who can swim up a waterfall will turn into a Dragon. So this waterfall literally means Gateway to success, which convey the message that people who overcome challenges or great difficulties will be successful.

Toryumon also symbolized Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's successful life.

Yoshimitsu became a Shogun at 11. At that point of time when the Northern and Southern Japanese dynasties were fighting. He managed to unify the nation and restore relationships with Ming Dynasty at the age of 46. His life did seem like this carp fish swimming against the waterfall!

Silver river stream.

Foot spa during Edo period?!

'Sekka-tei' classic tea house.

This tearoom was restored in 1997 after the original structure burnt down in 1950. It's the oldest building left of the one built during the Edo Period. 

During the Edo Period, this detached teahouse was the entertainment building 

for important visitors. To mark its importance, there is a celebrated pillar 

made of  nandina wood (heavenly bamboo).

It said that it's especially beautiful to see Golden Pavilion 

from Sekka-tei cottage in the late afternoon sun. 

Therefore, it's named Sekkatei (Place of Evening Beauty).

Walked down the hill, you'll see crowds in front of this small shrine, Fudō-do.

The shrine main image is a stone statue of Buddhist deity Fudo-myo-o (Acala, one of the Five Buddhist Wisdom Kings and Protector of Buddhism). 

The statue was made by Kobo-Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect in the 9th century.  

Open door rituals are held on Setsubun on 3 February and 16 August. The statue is normally hidden from public view, but believed to have miraculous powers!

Instead of lining up to ring the bells to awake the deities, 

we lighted candles and pray that our precious Xuan and Zhi
have wisdom and excel in their study

 Hundreds of Ema (絵馬  wooden plaques) hanging on the stand next to the shrine.
 You can buy the board and write your prayers or wishes and hang it here,
and the kami (spirits or gods) will receive and grant your wishes~^^

Amongst so many pictures like Japanese Maneki-neko Fortune Cat, Gods or Deities, my favorite Ema is Little iconoclastic Japanese Zen Buddhist monk 'Ikkyu' with Golden Pavilion.

Tourists busy tasting samples food, nuts, mochi from the teahouse and souvenir shops...

 

Love the vintage and rustic ambiance here...

It's like being transported back in time to Edo era.

People streaming out from Kinkaku-ji from this wooden gate.

      

The tour ended here, and we'd to walk out from this vast and stunning temple ground
and go to the next destination... Heian Shrine.

Admission ticket to Kinkakuji, which is also function as talisman 

to protect family and lucky charm to bring fortune and wealth.

According to our guide, Japanese believe black and white colors represent luck and fortune, unlike Chinese associated these colors with funeral / death. White symbolizes good luck and happiness, black color for good health and ward off evil spirits. This is also why Maneki-neko Fortune cat has tri-color beckoning good luck, wealth, prosperity.

Information:

Website: Kinkaku-ji (in Japanese)

Address: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Opening hours: 9am-5pm

Admission: Adult (400 Yen), Student (300 Yen)

Directions:  Kyoto Station by City Bus number 101 or 205 (40 minutes) or Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station (15 minutes)

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Gyeongju Museum without Walls (Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto)

Situated in the South Eastern part of Korea, Gyeongju (경주)  in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province was the capital of mighty Silla (신라) Kingdom for 992 years (BC 57-935). It was ruled by 56 kings, the longest surviving dynasty in the history of Korea.

Be mesmerised by this Ancient City of A Thousand-Year Kingdom. There's no sky-scraping buildings, but the city is blanketed by ancient landmarks as proud testaments to a bygone era.

 26 minutes of comfortable KTX ride from Busan to Singyeongju

We bought 3 day KR Pass for unlimited travel, therefore the price stated on ticket is 0원 (Won)

The ancient Tumuli tomb of Bangnae-ri, outside Singyeongju station

Once arrived in Singyeongju station, we took a taxi to Hill Motel, but receptionist was not around... we waited for about 15 minutes and decided to have our lunch opposite the hotel.

Kimchi Jjigae with Rice and Banchan (min. 2 pax)

We went to Gyeongju's Tourist Information Center to check city bus tour, but next available is night tour, and if not wrong... we need to book it one day before. Therefore, they suggested us to go to Bulguksa Temple which just next to it.

Let's explore "Museum without Walls"... This posting will be highlighting on The Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. In 1995, both became the first sites in Korea to be designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. These monuments are major historical sites in Gyeongju , which capture the essence of Korean history and Buddhist culture.

1. Bulguksa Temple (불국사)

One of Korea's most cherished remnants of the Silla Dynasty (57-935 BC), the temple embodies the mysticism and beauty of Buddhism, which served as the spiritual and cultural backbone of Silla. was built in 528 during the Silla Dynasty.

 next to it = near?!!

The answer is NO!!! couldn't even see the temple after few minutes walking. 

I guess Tour bus will drop you near the entrance, so you don't need to walk that far.

  

 Make a guess... what is this?

Finally... the entrance to Bulguksa Temple.

Bulguksa Temple is also valued as the pinnacle of architecture and art in the 8th century. It sits upon a high stone platform, which extends one hundred meters long, is traversed by a stone staircase that is said to connect the temporal world (ground level) and the world of Buddha (the part of the temple on and above the platform).

High stone platform

It is also home to many important Cultural Relics such:

 The Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge, 청운교) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge, 백운교)(National Treasure No. 23)

There are 33 steps on the stairway, which slopes at a 45 degree angle, and each step corresponds to one of the 33 heavens of Buddhism

 Dabo-tap (National Treasure No. 20)

The pagoda is currently depicted on the obverse of the 10 Won coin.

 Seokga-tap (National Treasure No. 21).

How about stay in this serenity place?

Check this link for Temple Stay

4 Heavenly Kings (사대천왕) guarding the temple...

Check this link for more information about Korean Buddhist Temple

 My mini stacked stone pagoda

One of my wishes is coming true soon~^^

  

2. Seokguram Grotto (석굴암)

Seokguram is known to have been built with Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty. Kim Dae-Seong had built Bulguksa for the parents who were alive, and Seokguram for the parents of his former life. It's is located 8-kilometers past the Bulguksa Temple, along the ridge of Mount Tohamsan (745 meters above sea level) near the mountain's summit.

Constructed to look like a grotto, the structure was carved into the stone mountainside and then covered with sod. The center piece of the granite sanctuary is a seated Buddha statue called Bonjonbulsang.

Delicately sculpted to look as if rough granite is weaved into silk, the Seokgamoni Buddha has the serene expression of meditation at the moment of enlightenment. The craftsmanship of Buddha's facial expression and posture is so realistic, elegant, and alive that it is simply breath-taking. Despite all the technological advancements of modern times, the architecture, science, geometry, and art that went into making the Seokguram Grotto 1,200 years ago makes it a structure unmatched in its excellence.

  Tranquil walk... nice view of greeneries, fresh air and welcomed by cute squirrels ^^

Large bronze bell placed outside the entrance

(Check this link to see others 3 percussion instruments that normally found in temple) 

  

For donation KRW1,000 per person, you can ring / gong it.

(our expressions just for fun... It's not that heavy to gong it hehehe :P)

Entrance to Seokguram Grotto

감로수 (甘露水 = gan lu shui)

pathway leading to the Grotto - about 10 minutes walk

 Temple outside the Grotto

with colourful lanterns 

To preserve the site, the interior of the grotto can now only be viewed through a glass wall, installed to protect it from the large number of tourists it attracts, as well as temperature change. No pictures of the Buddha were allowed to be taken. Don't be disappointed, you can buy the postcards if you want.

 Seokguram Grotto's panoramic view - Perched on top of a mountain

ANNYEEEOOONNNGGG~~~!!!

~Love and Peace from Seokguram Grotto-Gyeongju~

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~ [Gyeongju] Anapji Pond, Kyoyuk Munhwa Jimjilbang and Hwangnamppang