Soaking in the greenery at Sagano

Japan is in the middle of a long rainy season which usually lasts throughout June to July.

This year , it started much earlier in mid-May, so we have a longer rainy season.

I'm so thankful for being able to enjoy this relatively cool weather prior to the sizzling,

 scorching high summer.

Those who are suffering in disasters by torrential rainfall are in my prayers and thoughts.

Moss Garden of Gio-ji, 2015

It was  one  day in June six years ago when I visited Gio-ji Temple deep in Sagano after an overnight rainfall.

The small temple could be the greenest place on this planet with thick moss, green maples, 

 and other surrounding trees.

Not only the temple but also the whole course to the temple is beautiful and soothing.

Sagano in Arashiyama district is a hilly area of western Kyoto. 

There are many historic sites with great scenery in rich nature.

To enter Sagano, you walk on Togetsu-kyo Bridge which stretches across the Katsura River.

It was first built in the Heian period (794-1191).

After crossing the bridge, you're welcomed by the charming stone Buddhist statues.

Sagano Bamboo Forest is one of the most popular tourist destinations.

It is on the list of “100 soundscapes of Japan” for its distinct rustling sounds of the bamboo leaves.

 Sunlight filters through the densely packed grove. 

More details about bamboo, The beauty and strength of bamboo (2011)

A trail cuts through in the middle of the bamboos.

Walking through the area, in the bamboo forest, under the green tunnel, by the small brook 

or a cozy tearoom when air feels heavy with lots of moisture,

 you'd feel like soaking in dripping essence of the greenery.

After passing by many famous temples, I reached the Gio-ji  Temple.

Tranquility and solitude in the moss garden (2015) is my post  about the temple.

If Gio-ji is new to you, I really would like you to have a look at it to share how I felt like 

that I was at the bottom of the sea where little light and sound reach. 

(Similar but not the same  photos with those  in the 2015 post.)

Sagano has been relaxation spot for centuries and had lots of tourism in decades.

Ironically it seems to have restored the stillness due to the pandemic.

With 18 days left to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, all the preparations are underway, while Delta variant will peak in mid-to-late July. "Is the Olympics worth all the risks?" has been always in my mind.  The IOC always showed the attitude "go ahead" even under the State of Emergency because Japan's level is just "ripples". Only the IOC can cancel the events by the contract.

The president of the JOC (Japanese Olympic Committee) has been standing strong to realize safe Olympics taking over the role in February this year. Though I've had mixed emotions like many other people, I wish successful events through each one's share of cooperation and patience. The preparation works must have been daunting in the constant changing COVID situation and the corresponding public opinions. We must not let our guard down carelessly.

I wish transparency and genuine spirit of the Olympics are restored in this extraordinary Games.

I root for all the athletes from the world.

I'm having summer break as usual. See you in September.

Linked to Mosaic Monday

Green gardens of the Tenryu-ji Temple

I woke up to the sound of the falling rain this morning.  Due to the approaching typhoon,  it will be raining and cool for a couple of days.  After having survived sizzling heat, this is a relief, however, we need to be cautious as the typhoon is forecasted to be very strong and large. 

Today's post is about what I liked about Tenryu-ji Temple, Kyoto, when I visited at the end of June during the rainy season. 

Ground of Tenryu-ji near the bamboo grove

Tenryu-ji Temple was established by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339 as one of the head temples of the Rinzai Zen School.  It is one of Kyoto’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Walking on a lovely path cutting through an awesome bamboo grove, which is behind the temple, I entered the temple.  Green color was beautiful enriched by the rainfall while air was stifling due to high humidity.

Is it a universal custom to throw coins into the fountain?

Roofed corridor connecting the buildings

                      

Strolling around the gardens is always soothing experience even when it is sweltering. They includes every feature of Japanese landscape garden: paths of various types leading to views, a brook, ponds with carps, waterfront plants, and stones, bridges, lanterns, trellises, shakkei (borrowed scenery),  seasonal flowers, exotic trees, etc.. 

I imagined colored leaves of the mountains and their reflection on the pond in autumn.

(seen from 大方丈, Daihojyo)

Seen through the picture window of 小方丈, Shohojyo

曹源池庭園　(Sogen-chi Pond Garden), created by Muso Soseki, is the original garden of the ancient Tenryu-ji and is well known as a borrowed landscape garden incorporating  Mt. Arashi. Mt. Atago, Mt. Ogura, and Mt. Kame in the backdrop.  It is also the oldest 池泉回遊式庭園, pond strolling garden, in Japan.  

Japanese water garden is full of asymmetries and curves.  The pond is  shaped like the Chinese character 心, "kokoro" in Japanese, which means enlightened Heart to Zen.  "Kokoro" in Zen is not merely the state of consciousness, but is the essential self hood of man.

"Ryumon no taki/Ryumon Falls" in the center

The two-tiered composition of standing boulders represents “Ryumon no taki”  which reminds people of the cascade where a carp successfully swimming up transform into a "ryu" (dragon) in the ancient Chinese legend. 

Too slanting!  The tree looked like a resting "ryu" to my eyes. 

Ryu, a guardian beast of Buddhism, is painted on the paper sliding doors.  Since they are protected by the glass covers, the garden and people are reflected.  Sitting quietly, I felt like that the wind aroused by the dragon blowing to the garden.  There is another ryu in Hatto (雲龍図,　法堂, No Photography) in the lecture hall of the temple. Tenryu-ji (天龍寺）　literally means "Heaven-Ryu Temple".

Lovely stone statues welcoming or seeing off visitors along the path to the entrance.

Tenryuji is located in Sagano district, western outskirts of Kyoto.  The area is famous for its cozy local atmosphere and beautiful scenery of mountains and riverside.  My sister living in Kyoto says she never gets tired of visiting this place throughout the year.  We didn't explore the area extensively due to other schedule.  I'd like to return in other seasons.

Sightseeing boats

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