First, there was a Kamakura-themed Photo Hunt entry. Now, here's following up with a Kamakura-themed photo-essay. And lest there be any doubt: here's stating for the record that I not only enjoyed my (short) visit to the place but I also very much endorse this photogenic city's efforts to be given due recognition by UNESCO and placed on that United Nations agency's world heritage list:-
Kamakura is a city by the sea -- and for those who arewondering, I (too) couldn't help but think of
the disastrous tsunami that hit Japan earlier this year
when I viewed this actually pretty idyllic coastal scene
The main building of the Hasadera from whose high vantage point I took this photo essay's first photo
View inside the Benten-kutsu Cave located in the vicinity of the Hasadera -- and is home to a shrine to
the Shinto goddess Benzaiten (who actually
also is the Hindu goddess Saraswathi!)
Trust the incorrigible Puppet Ponyo to be unable to resistposing for a photo with the tolerant Daibutsu (aka
Great Buddha of Kamakura)!
The Sasuke Inari Shrine is out of the way and has asteep entryway but is worth checking out for the sheer
preponderance of fox statues to be found in its area
The green surroundings of the Sasuke Inari Shrinein Kamakura also made it so that it was where I felt
like that great forest spirit Totoro
was most likely to be found in the vicinity!
Inside the cave area of the Zenairai Benten Shrine whose visitors are encouraged to wash their money
and hope that doing so will double its amount!
View out to the sea along Kamakura's main boulevard from the top of the Hachimangu Shrine's main stairs
And should this photo-essay leave you thirsting for more, then this means you'll have some sense of how much I'd like to not only share more photos of Kamakura but also spend more time in that lovely city that's home to many, many temples and shrines but nonetheless feels like it's so very full of life and what human (not just spiritual) life has to offer! :b
9 comments:
NOw I see why a friend of mine seems so happy there.
Ponyo and Daibatsu! Too cute.
Hi baroness radon --
I really enjoyed visiting Kamakura. Am glad to hear that it's (also) a great place to live.
And yay re your having warmed to (my) Ponyo! BTW, that photo was taken with the help of a friendly Japanese stranger -- and yes, I found that Japanese people are quite happy to pose my Puppet Ponyo for me. :D
Oh I love Ponyo. I just needed to be introduced!
Hi again baroness radon --
Appreciate the (Puppet) Ponyo love -- and am glad that you now feel like you've been adequately introduced to her. :)
hi ytsl,
So far this is my favorite blog entry of your trip to Japan. Great photos. Hehehe... perhaps my fondness for Kamakura has something to do with it. So glad Ponyo got to visit too.
Not sure why but the Ponyo/Daibatsu is just perfect--part of it is the difference in color and texture but it also seems that the Buddha is looking favorable on the puppet, knowing that she has the qualities to become a Bodhisattva. Or maybe she already is an enlightened being showing the rest of us how to live in harmony with the world.
I think Ponyo has a grand future--I look forward to more of her adventures.
Hi sbk --
I'd say that this was the photo-essay that was most difficult for me to compile since there were so many photos to choose from -- so am glad you like what you see.
Re Puppet Ponyo: she and I were inseparable in Japan! :)
Hi ewaffle --
Teeheehee re your Ponyo as budding Bodhisattva comments.
More than by the way, I was shocked to see souvenirs in Kamakura in which the face of the Daibatsu had morphed into Hello Kitty. (And there were Doraemon equivalents too.) I couldn't bring myself to buy such souvenirs but do have a toweling hankie showing Hello Kitty seated on the Daibatsu...! ;b
I like Kamakura too. Particularly the shrines. Was there once more than 10 years ago, and again this summer. The place hasn't changed much, except there seems to be more people. Perhaps because the first time I was there it was April, and this time it is August. The shrines are quiet, peaceful, and very well-kept. Well, most of them anyway, except the one right in the middle of the town.
Hi StephenC --
I'd love to visit Kamakura again. The shrines and temples of course are the main visitor draws -- but I liked the general feel of the place as well. The next time I visit, I'd also like to go on more hikes in the area. :)
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