This was definitely one of the coolest temples I visited during my trip to Kyoto, Japan. It is just filled with personality! Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a bit off the beaten path in the hills of Arashiyma. It is much a temple that is much less visited. In fact, it took us about 1 hour to walk over from the nearest bus stop.
The temple was originally located in Higashiyama and much of it was washed away after terrible floods. The remaining structures were reassembled in the current location, but suffered more damage after a typhoon in 1950. Shortly thereafter, a new head priest Kocho Nishimura (also a sculptor) headed the renovations. His idea was to teach visitors how to chisel and make stone sculptures of Buddhaβs disciples aka Rakan statues. This resulted in 1200 different and unique statues - because each statue was made by a different person! How COOL is that!?
When I realized that these statues were carved by different people between 1981-1991, it truly made me appreciate them even more, and I love the idea of it. There are so many different emotions and personalities displayed amongst the statues - I feel like it embraces diversity! source
We spent quite a bit of time running around the moss covered statues so we could look at their characters. This was like walking through real life stone emojis!
This one hit close to home - a handstanding statue! Life is more fun upside down. :D Where is the pole dancing statue?
The guitar player! Of course, I had to play my air guitar to match.
Thanks for reading! What kind of stone statue would you have carved if given the chance?
Jess
Nice place for visit.
Ah! Japan! It's at the top of my bucket list. This area looks so cool! I love the upside down statue lol - how fitting ;-)
hehehe japan was reallly neat to visit! You will have a great time when you go :P, the upside down statue was cracked me up when I came upon it.
A tiring journey when you walk to get to this place. Yeah it looks like the statues were carved by different people. Because it looks from the character shape of the person who made it. If there is a chance I will make a sculpture like you that is very beautiful. Good luck always for you @polebird. π
hehe it was worth the walk over! Wasn't sure when we were walking, but definitely loved it when we got there. Very cool to see all those different creations. Thank you so much for your constant support!
Yeah very cool when you're there. I really like a different trip like you do. ππ
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Shiiiiiit who cool... I love stone carving... And 1200 different ones πtotally awesome.. Thanks for sharing and best wishes for the weekend π― π
haha it was such an interesting temple to visit! Thank you, hope you have a fabulous weekend as well!
Yes one of a kind or unique for sure... π―Coooool one! π
I can't wait to visit Japan. Great photos btw!
I hear English is not widely spoken there...what are your thoughts ? Have fun!
thank you!! Yeah it was hit or miss finding translations :P
Wow, what a awesome place :) The statues look so old I would have guessed they were created some hundred years ago. But you wrote these are from 1981-1991?
Yes!! That is what my source said, I was shocked as well. They said the moss growth just makes it look old :P
thats the first time i am seeing this ...thnks 2 you
you're welcome glad you liked it!
Gosh, I have missed a lot of your posts from running around for the meetup I had this weekend. I really like the guy in upside down combo. His pole practice amid others is really fun. ππππ
heheh totally ok, life is busy outside of steemit as well :P Yeah, that was my favorite one!
Thanks for understanding. Double thanks for your presence in my last post. You are awesome.
this is an interesting site to visit indeed. What prefecture is this polebird?
VERY interesting place! There is Such a beautiful places in the world that I didnt visit yet...
Thank you for sharing ππ
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