Continuing my long and proud tradition of not uploading pictures until well after I took them, I’m making a big update of three sets of pictures from late April.
Kendo Tournament
I agreed to go watch Maiya high’s kendo team participate in a practice kendo tournament. The students were both participants and judges so they were able to practice both aspects. I didn’t take too many pictures because, with few exceptions, when you’ve seen one kendo picture, you’ve seen them all. There were way more high schools competing than I expected and it was pretty neat seeing them all.
I also took a few videos but I’ll only post one because, again, unless you know kendo, videos of kendo are generally really boring and/or confusing.
The kendo club’s instructor has taken sort of a liking to me. At the tournament he asked me to give advice to the students after each of their matches which was a little rough. It’s kind of awkward giving advice to someone who’s the same rank as you, even if they are younger. I think I managed to give some okay comments though and afterward, at lunch (which the teacher bought me) he said he agreed with what advice I gave that he overheard.
Hanami 2
Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) time came and went again. I went to a couple spots where I hadn’t been last night, but didn’t take too many pictures. I didn’t really get out when they were fully in blossom. It’s hard to describe the visual of cherry blossoms in full bloom. They really have their own luminescence so the trees give off a subtle glow during the day.
The field at the elementary school down the street from me.
Yes, that is a giant windmill. No I don’t know why there’s a giant Dutch-looking windmill in rural Japan.
The best ones weren't in bloom yet.
Obligatory closeup shot.
Kyoto 2
Finally, I went with Mana and her parents again to Kyoto. This time we spent most of the time in a city called Nara which is right next to Kyoto and famous for its shrines and temples.
Byodo-in
Byodo-in holds the famous Phoenix Hall, so named for the two cast iron phoenix statues on the roof. It is the building on the 10 yen coin.
The town leading to the temple grounds.
Wisteria is very common around Kyoto.
Inside the temply grounds.
One of the titular Phoenixes.
Todai-ji
Before the pictures, there are some interesting facts about Todai-ji. First, it is the largest wooden building in the world. It’s been reconstructed after fires or earthquakes a few times, and the current structure is actually 30% smaller than the original. The current building is over 160 feet in width and length.
Inside is the Daibutu which literally means big Buddha. It is, I think, the largest indoor Buddha statue in the world. It’s eyes alone are about 3 feet in height each. It is just about impossible to fully convey the scale of the building and the statue especially with pictures. The statue is absolutely massive – it’s as though it’s been placed in the background with computers.
The gate leading to the temple area.
There was a show going on grounds – some kids were doing, I guess, a traditional dance. I took a bit of video, but to be honest the music was so piercing I couldn’t stand it for too long.
Inside the gate.
One of the temple guardians.
The temple in the distance.
The inner gate.
The temple. You can see how huge it is compared to the people.
A (not very good) pan of the temple grounds.
Some women and kids in kimonos.
We were pretty lucky because there were monks chanting while we were there. I was able to get a couple of videos.
Finally we got inside.
Another guardian.
Nara’s also famous for its deer. The deer roam freely around the grounds and let people get right up next to them.
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