My favourite Kyoto postcard

My 2012 in 12 Pics

January - Cathedral of Orleans - France

February - Winter landscape in countryside - Belgium

March - Older Karen Long neck lady in Mae Hong Son - Thailand

April - Main gate of Gyeongbok palace in Seoul - South-Korea

May - Beijing Opera in Taipei - Taiwan

June - Splendid Mt Fuji - Japan

July - Panda cub sleeping in Panda research and breeding center in Chengdu - China

August - Junk in Victoria Harbour - Hong Kong

September - Sansiantai island - Taiwan

October - Nice weather after Typhoon in Seoraksan National Park - South-Korea

November - First month of my son Tristan - Thailand

December - Lanna dances in Chiang Mai - Thailand

Mishima's muse - The Golden Pavilion

In Japanese literature many talented writers hav had their works translated. But none has been as influential as 3 times Nobel Prize nominated Yukio Mishima (1925-1970). Especially his death is quite spectacular as he committed seppuku (Japanese suicide by the sword) upon having failed to inspire a coup d'état in Tokyo.

The Temple of Golden Pavilion or 金閣寺 (Kinkakuji) is probably one of the strongest novels by this eccentric Japanese writer. The intense psychological development of the main character is a must read for every would be psychiatrists!

The temple was at first a residence for the most powerful shogun of the Ashikaga period, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death it became the grounds for a zen temple, until the last century.
It is a fact that this marvellous 14th century Buddhist temple was burned down by a residing monk in 1955. This strange story is the main theme of Mishima's novel, where he  describes the schizophrenic development of monk Mizoguchi. Especially the narrating of the love hate relationship the monk has with the Golden Pavilion is phenomenal.

The Japanese authorities started building the structure again after the arson and this is the result that can be visited in Kyoto.

The Golden Pavilion of Kyoto is such an history-filled site that will capture every visitor's imagination. No wonder Mishima described this architectural wonder in his amazing novel.

The Golden pavilion with its phoenix watching over the temple grounds is one of my most favourite tourist spots Japan. Hence my photographic post of this Buddhist temple.

 

Hanbok, the Korean fashion

The Hanbok is the name given to the traditional Korean clothing. Hanbok means literally "Korean clothing" and consists mostly of a upper and lower part. It is the traditional garment for women and men.

The vivid colours and full covering are a unique features of the Hanbok and give the clothes a very gracious touch.

This type of clothes is still worn by Koreans for formal occasions such as weddings and festivals. A few older people are not used to wearing contemporary clothes and are still using their hanbok.

In modern day Korea, it is a marvellous site to see these bright colours in contrast with modern day black and white suits. It really stands out!

The Hanbok has a very long history, but the present day form is said to be the style used in 15th century Joseon dynasty. As Confucianism took over from Buddhism as the state religion/philosophy, the adepts of Confucius had their influence on the clothing. Especially the hanbok for women was standardised with a wide long skirt and closed long-sleeves top. So no piece of bare skin could possibly be shown.

Lady in Hanbok at hotel reception

Wedding shop

Traditional arts performance

Clothes shop

Taking wedding pictures

Mom and daughter dressing up to visit Gyeongbok palace

Hotels to dream away

Main building, Madarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Hotel lobby with city view, Hyatt, Seoul, South Korea

Huge raintree, Le Meridien, Chiang Rai, Thailand

View of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and villas, Crowne Plaza, Lijiang, China

Hotel library lobby, 137 pillars house, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Bed room, Leela Kempinksi, Udaipur, India

View from lobby, The Lalu, Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

Deer in Buddhism

Buddhist monk with dear at Todaiji temple

Japan, the land of the rising sun, has a vast diversity of Buddhist temples. If you are looking for the origin of Buddhism, head to Nara. In the beginning of the 8th century Nara became the capital and emperor Shomu wanted to propagate the newly accepted Buddhism that was introduced in Japan through the Korean kingdom of Paekche. He built the enormous Todaiji temple, still the biggest wooden building in the world until 1998.

Todaiji temple Nara

Walking around the premises of this majestic building you will notice a big lush green park at the main entrance. A happy mixture of sellers, schoolchildren, begging monks and tourists are rejoined by a whole lot of deers roaming though Nara Park.
The Sika deer is a real symbol of Nara; deer senbei (hard cookies) and deer hats are sold, while in October the Deer Horn cutting festival takes place.

Children playing with deer in Nara

Feeding the deer in Nara

The deer in Nara are an amazing site that will always delight tourists and the Japanese schoolchildren. The tame deer can be also be found on Itsukushima island near Hiroshima. The sika deer is native to Japan and can still appears in the wild in remote places like Yakushima in southern Japan.

But why are the deers found in parks close to Buddhist temples and not in any other public park? According the the legend of Buddha after his enlightenment Buddha developed his Dharma or teaching. The first sermon of Buddha happened to be in Sarnath "Deer park" where the deer wandered in peace. And so they became witnesses of his first teaching. In Buddhist iconography the deer stands as a messenger of Buddha and Buddhism. That's why the deer are found in Japan in temple parks.

In the pictures you can find different deer symbols at other Buddhist places in Asia.

Deer in Itsukushima

Deer witnessing the first sermon of Buddha

Deer at the throne of Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Deer on top and on the banners of Tibetan temple in Zhongdian, China

Dragon tent

The Chinese city of Qingdao set a Guinness World record today on 13 October 2012. During the annual Beach Camping Festival a set of 900 tents was set up to represent a Chinese dragon. So the largest tent mosaic ever was created!