6th April, 2007

Nara

Nara is nice. Not a lot else to say on that.

You couldn't take photos inside the Kofuku-ji Temple Treasure Hall, but I loved this (slightly larger-than-life) wood-sculpture of Kongo Rikishi.

Apologies if you were blinded by this pic.

This is Kofuku-ji Temple. The pagoda begins to look very heavy if you stand under it and look up.

I think this is the Great South Gate to Todai-ji Temple.

Note the tame deer, which wander around a lot of Nara. I'm not sure I believe the story about them learning to bow to visitors though. I think they learned all they need to do is stand beside food stalls.

The Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple. Possibly the largest wooden building in the world. It's been rebuilt twice after fire damage, and used to be a third larger still.

I think I'm holding my fortune (Omikuji): Late Good Luck.

You may have a difficulty in finding a way-out at a moment. A right way will be found soon later.

There is no way to get a sense of scale from this photo, but that's a 15 meter tall Buddha.

One of the supporting posts in the Great Buddha Hall has a hole that has been bored through the base. Visitors try to pass through the hole which is said to be the same size as one of the Daibutsu's nostrils. Legend has it that those who pass through it will be blessed with enlightenment in their next life. Children usually have no trouble getting through but adults sometimes get stuck and need to be pulled out.

Kasuga Shrine.

Outside Kasuga Shrine. There's a slight creepiness to this place (the lanterns are everywhere and continue into the forest), but it's lost in the photos.