Obitoke-dera Temple, Nara City. Nara Prefecture,Japan.
Hiking.
帯解寺 奈良 / Obitoke-dera Temple Nara
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Obitoke-dera Temple in Nara!
This was our first stop on the second part of the Yamanobe-no-Michi trail. A famous temple for would be mothers and a history of visitors such as Empress Fujiwara Akiko, the Imperial Princess Michiko, the wife of the crown prince and other dignitaries.
This temple was built in 858. When the Empress Fujiwara Akiko was pregnant, she prayed to have an easy birth. As a result, she had a baby safely. Since then this temple has been believed as a prayer's temple for easy birth. A lot of pregnant mothers visit here from all over Japan. It is customary in Japan that when a women is five month pregnant, she comes to this temple and gets a maternity cotton sash 30 cm wide and wraps it on her stomach to protect and keep a baby warm and safe.
霊山寺 奈良 / Ryosen-ji Temple Nara
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白毫寺 奈良 / Byakugo-ji Temple Nara
白毫寺
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Yamanobe-no Michi: Japan's Oldest Road!-Pt 1
A few days ago, together with my hiking buddy's Barry and Motokazu san we set out on another part of the Yamanobe-no-michi trail. This time are starting point was Nara city.The weather was nice, not too hot and humid. The rainy season is about to start and we want to complete the whole trail. The hike conssts of 3 parts, from Nara to Obitoke (JR station), from Obitoke to Tenri and the last part from tern to Miwa station. The last temple on the route is Byodo-in temple.
The first stop was Fukuu-in ji temple and on to Shin-yakushi-ji temple. The Shin-yakushi-ji Temple was built in the 19th year of the Tempyo era (747) by the Imperial order of the Empress Komyo for the purpose of praying to Buddha for the Emperor Shomu's recovery from his eye disease. The meaning of Shin found in the temple name, which is pronounced as 'atara' or 'arata' in Japanese, seems not to be 'new' (atara-shi) but 'wonder-working' (arata-ka). The on to Byakugô-ji Temple, situated on Mount Takamado. To reach the temple there are a fair amount of steps, worthwhile though as it is an oasis of beauty and silence. From the temple grounds you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nara and its landmarks (the pagoda of Tofukuji), Mount Ikoma and many other historic sites.
The trail sometimes leads along secondary roads, bamboo forest, through rice paddy's and fields. It took us a small 5 hours to reach our end point, including time to take pictures, eat our lunch and have a refreshing nama beer at the end of our adventure. There are no high hills to cross and it can be an enjoyable hike for anyone who likes to get a glimpse of the country side and see some local shrines and temples.
Some of the other points of interest you'll encounter along the way are the Yasaka jinja, related to the Yasaka jinja in Kyoto, wind chimes in the bamboo forest and the Mino Tateyama Fudomyodo-in, a small shrine in the bamboo forest.
There is also the Shirayama jingo, it has a long history dating back to 1709 and is a cultural property.Then there is Shimada jinja, dating back to the same time period as Shirayama jingo.
Next you'll see the burial mount of Emperor Sudo-tenno Yashima Ryo. The trail then leads through a bamboo forest and there is a burial site for persons who, upon passing away, had no relatives. Continuing on you come to the Ensho-ji Monastery, situated deep in the bamboo forest. It is very quiet and scenic and boast of beautiful gardens. It's a pity that you cannot enter though. The famous Yamamura school tea ceremony school has it's headquarters here. From there through a narrow path is the Kobo Daishi memorial shrine and there are a few more small Shinto shrines before reaching the road that will lead you to Obitoke JR station.
If you enjoy a nama beer or want to have a bite to eat there is a nice place close to your end point called Samasama, the lady of the house likes Ragae music.
It was a very enjoyable day, a highly recommended excursion, if you like some more info, drop me a line and I'll be happy to assist you!
矢田寺 (金剛山寺) 奈良 / Yata-dera Temple Nara
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Japan - Deers in Nara (2)
Deers in Nara - Biches à Nara, Japon
Yamanobe-no-Michi: Japans Oldest Road! Pt 2
We started of on a sunny day from the Obitoke JR station in Nara prefecture. Our first stop was the Obitoke temple, just a five minutes walk from the station. Many couples visit this temple to purchase the maternity belt to encourage child bearing. This temple originally was constructed in 858 by the order of Kobo Daishi, also know as Kūkai,(774--835), was a Japanese monk, civil servant, scholar, poet, and artist, founder of the Shingon or True Word school of Buddhism.
About 1,100 years ago, there lived the Empress Somedono, wife of the 55th emperor, Montoku. Known as Akirakeiko, she was the daughter of the Dajo Daijin, Premier Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, chief adviser to the emperor, who was the most powerful man of the period. Although an extremely wise and beautiful woman, she was greatly tried, by her inability to bear children. One night, she had a dream, in which the following was related: One ri (2.44 miles) south of Nara, an exalted Jizoson has been dedicated. Place your faith in this Jizoson. Believing these words as being instructions from the Buddha, she consulted with the emperor and went on a pilgrimage to this temple, where she offered her prayers. Before long, the empress was rewarded with the good fortune of becoming pregnant. She prayed once more, this time for an easy delivery, and, at the end of her term, with great tranquility, Imperial Prince Korehito (the future Emperor Seiwa) was born. The joy of the people was beyond description, and in the spring of 858 the empress became a temple petitioner. She reorganized the temple and its buildings, renaming it Obitoke-dera Temple because her Iwataobi (maternity belt) had become untied so easily.
In this way, a profound reverence was fostered in successive generations of the imperial line, as well as in the Fujiwara clan; worshipers often pray for conception, easy delivery and quick recovery from illness. The temple became known far and wide, and worshipers milled about its gate as if it were a bustling market. As time passed, however, the samurai came into ascendancy, and the land entered an era of war. In the course of battle, the temple was set afire and destroyed.
With the arrival of the Edo period, Oraku no Kata, the concubine of the 3rd Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, prayed at the temple for conception and an easy delivery. She gave birth to a son, Takechiyo Maru (Ietsuna, the 4th shogun). Overflowing with happiness, she bestowed the temple with numerous images of Shakamuni and other Buddhist images and altar equipment. In 1663, a washbasin was presented by the 4th shogun, Ietsuna. Old records reveal that over the years many noble ladies were rewarded with easy deliveries after praying at this temple. Among them were: Ukon no Kata, the concubine of Ienobu, the 6th shogun, in 1707: a court lady of the Emperor Higashiyama in 1694 and in 1696, Yasuhime, wife of Dainagon (chief councilor of state) Karasumaru, in 1670; and Fushiminomiya Miyasundokoro (the consort of an Imperial prince) in 1851.
More recently, a Buddhist memorial service was performed in 1959 on the occasion of the pregnancy of her Imperial Highness Princess Michiko, the wife of the Crown Prince. And iwataobi (maternity belt), charms and Shinto talismans were presented to the temple. On February 23 of the following year, Prince Hironomiya was born. In August of 1965 and October of 1968, services were performed again, and iwataobi and charms were again presented. Prince Ayanomiya and Princess Norinomiya were born healthy and sound, and the temple was honored with a letter of thanks from the Togu-gosho (Crown Prince's Residence).
From here we went towards Konin-ji temple about a 1 hours walk from Obitoke dera. Along the way we passed a small shinto shrine situated on a small hill, just of the main road. However There was no name written anywhere to identify it. There were several red Tori's along the stairway leading up to the small Hondo.
大安寺 奈良 / Daian-ji Temple Nara
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弘仁寺 奈良 / Konin-ji Temple Nara
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奈良のコスモス寺：般若寺(Hannya-ji Temple which is famous as cosmos temple in Nara.)
The Yukinoniwa Garden of Myomanji Temple!
This temple belongs to the Kenpon Hokke branch of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.
It was originally built in 1383 by Priest Nichiju in the Muromachi area.
The Yukinoniwa Garden in this temple is beautiful at each season.
The main attraction is the Indian style Busshari Tower.
The temple also possesses a bell which was formerly used in Dojoji temple in Wakayama prefecture.
It has a fabulous views of Mount Hiei.
This temple was moved to its present site from Teramachi Nijo in 1968.
出世稲荷神社 大原 京都 / Shusse Inari Shrine Kyoto
寛文年間（1661-73）、聚楽第のなかにあった社を移した。
倉稲魂命ほかを祭る。社名は豊臣秀吉の出世にあやかったもの。
本殿には6代目清水六兵衛作の神像、堂本印象の‘登り竜’天井図。
また尾上松之助寄進の石鳥居、新門辰五郎寄進の狛犬が、境内にある。
出世稲荷神社
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天性寺 京都 / Tenshou-ji Temple Kyoto / 교토
浄土宗西山禅林寺派に属する寺である。
由緒はきわめて古く、寛仁２年（１０１８）恵心僧都が奈良県當麻（たいま）に建てた蓮台院が当寺の起こりで、ついで恵心の妹安養尼が居住して安養寺と改名した。
天永年間（１１１０頃）隆暹（りゅうせん）が京都に移し、鎌倉時代に入って証仏（しょうぶつ）が大いに寺運をひろめた。
天正年間（１５８０頃）豊臣秀吉によってこの地に移された。
本尊は阿弥陀如来立像で、八枚の蓮華を逆さに置いた上に立っているのが特徴で、このことから倒蓮華寺と呼ばれる。
伝説によれば、本尊をつくる際、蓮座がどうしても壊れるので、蓮華を逆さにしたところ、無事完成した。
これは女人は業が深く、心の蓮華はさかさまとなっていて極楽往生できないので、これを救済するため、わざと蓮華を逆さにしたのだといわれる。
この本尊にまつわる伝説によって、昔から特に女性の信仰が深い。
天性寺
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A visit to the Don Quixote store in Nara City
Don Quixote (ドン・キホーテ) in Nara, Japan, also known as Donki (ドンキ) for short.
There are currently over 160 outlets of this particular chain across Japan. This place has virtually everything! The selection of electronics / groceries / small appliances / dress goods / videos / DVDs and, of course, cosplay uniforms (costume play) was tremendous. This was where I unashamedly bought two junior high school girl uniforms 2 years earlier!
Trivia: Don Quijote is known for the distinctive song that plays in its stores. The song is called Miracle Shopping (ミラクルショッピング?) sung by Maimi Tanaka (田中マイミ?), a Don Quijote store employee.
Link:
(00055.MTS)
八幡神社(元石清水八幡宮) 奈良 / Hachiman Shrine Nara
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奈良県 吉野山の桜と金峯山寺
・吉野山の詳細情報や地図はこちら↓
以下は、日本全国の著名な桜名所・巨木桜をHD画質でご覧いただけるプレイリスト（動画数67本）です！
奈良県の映像素材の一覧は、以下のページをご参照ください。
近畿地方の「桜・お花見」動画の一覧はこちら↓
近畿地方の「桜・お花見」マップ
日本全国「桜・お花見」三昧！300本以上のYouTube再生リスト
（HD映像素材集のデモ映像です。音声はありません。）
千本釈迦堂 大報恩寺
千本釈迦堂は通称で、大報恩寺が正式名称
安貞元年（1227）に建立された本堂は、幾多の戦火、大火を免れ、800年近く経った今も当時のままの姿で、京都市内（京洛）最古の木造建造物として国宝に指定されています。
色々謂われ等、ありますが最も有名なのは境内でひときわ目立つ
おかめさんの物語
鎌倉時代に大報恩寺の本堂（釈迦堂）を請け負った大工の棟梁
（高次）は、大事な柱の寸法を間違い短く切ってしまいました。
妻のおかめ（阿亀）が他の柱も短く切って、枡組を使う事を提案。
高次は無事に本堂建築の大任を果たすことができました。
しかし、おかめは女のアドバイスで棟梁が仕事を完成させたこと
を知られてはいけないと本堂の上棟式を待たずに自害を。
高次は上棟の日、妻おかめの冥福とお堂の無事を祈って
おかめの面を御幣につけて飾った。
現代に生きる私達にはすぐに飲み込める話ではありませんが
八百年近くもこの地に建っているということは棟梁の腕は確か？
京都を焼け野原にした戦火や大火を逃れたというのはある意味
おかめさんが人柱的になっているとしたら
少しは理解することが出来るかもしれません
建設当時のままなら、中におられる仏様以上にこの話の元になった
柱と升組を見たいと思うのは私だけでしょうか？
奈良の寺院 帯解寺庭園
チャンネル登録お願いします。