Early Summer Green at Nison-in - 3

Feel the fresh summer breeze in Sagano, Kyoto!

Takako Sakamoto Oct 15, 2014 - 2 min read

<p>Abundant green viewed from Chokushi-mon Gate</p>

<p>A poem written in the Sagano area long time ago is carved on a stone monument. Sagano is the place where Ogura Hyakunin-isshu, a famous poetry anthology, was selected in the Heian period</p>

<p>The famous temple approach of Nison-in, 'Momiji-no Baba (Riding Grounds with Maple Leaves)'. True to its name, this walking path is decorated with fiery red maple leaves in autumn</p>

<p>Fresh greenery in front of Kuromon Gate invites you in</p>

<p>'Nokiba-no Matsu (Pine Tree Along the Eaves)' planted in front of the Main Hall. Here, you'll find a wooden post on which a poem of Fujiwara-no Teika is written</p>

<p>'Benzaiten-do Hall' beside the Main Hall</p>

<p>'Bell for Happiness'...They say if you toll this bell three times while feeling grateful for everything, you will truly feel happy</p>

In the third story of this Nison-in Series, photos taken in May are featured.

I visit Sagano in Kyoto a few times every year, and strangely, every time I go, the weather is fine. The day I last went was also a fine day, so fine that it was a little bit too hot for May, but I can't complain, can I? Anyway, I enjoyed the fresh greenery in an 'early summer' here.

Nison-in Temple is located at the eastern foot of Mount Ogura, which is famous for 'Ogura Hyakunin-isshu', a historical poetry anthology selected by Fujiwara no Teika in the Heian period. The temple's name 'Nison-in' is derived from its two principal images (Ni-son), Shaka Nyorai and Amida Nyorai.

Although this temple is famous for its gorgeous autumn foliage, the two principal images here, which sit silently in the hall, are awe-inspiring and worth the visit just to see them.

Nison-in Temple, Sagano 1. Autumn Foliage Path to Nison-in - 1 2. Autumn Colors at Nison-in - 2 3. Early Summer Green at Nison-in - 3

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Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...