Day 9

Today was a three train day - express, 'Bullet' and local. This combination took us from Kotohira to Okayama, to Kyoto and finally Nara. We then walked the last 400 metres to our hotel, another excellent Comfort Inn - which for all those following the blog - thankfully has Internet in the rooms! On the way we saw a young women in her beautiful kimono popping into a local convenience store to do some shopping.



The journey was a good place to do some people watching and see the traditional mix with the modern.






The only shame was the weather had turned rainy and we left the hotel shortly afterwards for our guide of Nara's sights, armed with umbrellas. We had an excellent female guide who spoke really good, easily understood English and gave us really interesting information on the sights we visited.

First stop was a little area set aside with numerous statues with red material on them. Our guide explained that these were children's memorials and told us the folklore surrounding them.



There there we visited the Kofukuji Temple with its five storey pagoda. The guide explained that the pagodas design, around a single central column, with independent floating floors, are basically earthquake proof. This design has been copied by modern day engineers when constructing high rise buildings in earthquake prone areas.




There are numerous deer in the park, which are friendly and used to the tourists. You can buy special deer biscuits to feed them, but will be mobbed by them when you do, as Clare found out!



Next stop was the famous UNESCO world heritage site of Todaiji Temple. This is the largest wooden building in the world and the current version has been scaled down by two thirds from the original one built in 752 which was destroyed by fire - the original must have been an awe inspiring sight!

You approach through a massive wooden gate. The supporting pillars of which are single pieces of cedar wood. I got Richard who is a large man to stand by one to give it some scale.






Inside the gate is protected by two Deva kings. Again these are huge and are the original 13th century wooden figures and are some of the finest sculptures in Japan.



You then enter the grounds of the temple proper and get you first view of this massive wooden structure. Even in the pouring rain and grey gloom, it was very impressive. As always people were purifying themselves prior to going in with the smoke from burning incense.






You then approach the temple up a long central path and as you come closer the scale really hits home. You then get your fist glimpse of the huge Buddha statue inside and your breath is taken away by its shear size and beauty.






This is one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world, cast in the year 746 and again it can't help but impress. The detail is stunning and the 'karma' given out by the image palpable.



Either side of the main statue are smaller, but still sizable, golden Buddha statues. To the rear are two more diva king guardians






Beside the exit of the temple an old man was being paid by worshipers to write a blessing in the finest Japanese calligraphy. It was marvelous to watch as the writing flowed from his brush onto the parer in smooth and fluid strokes.

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From the temple we passed by the Great Bell. This is a huge, ancient bell, weighing around 24 tonnes. It is rung only once day, at 8pm, to preserve it. We got our guide to stand beneath it to give the picture some scale.




Next was the Nigatsu-do-Hall. This had some great views of the city below, even in the misty rain. It had another shrine inside and some lovely lit lanterns.






This was followed by a Shinto shrine, but by now the light was fading fast so we headed back towards town and some dinner. The walk back was quite atmospheric with the misty rain and lights from the traffic making adding to the mix.







We passed the pagoda we first saw in the afternoon, but it was now lit up and was a lovely sight.



Exhausted we went straight to dinner in the local Co Co Curry House. This a chain of shops all over Japan and does 'Chinese' style curries. It was delicious!





Tomorrow we head for Koya-Sa a Buddhist retreat high in the mountains of Southern Kansia. This is the home of the Shingon school of Esoteric Buddhism. Here we will be staying in temple lodgings and hopefully get a glimpse of long held traditions of Japanese religious life. It should be a fascinating stay, away from the modern Japan and all that goes along with it.