Tokyo Jaunt, pt.2: 浅草寺 The Sensou-ji temple, aka 浅草観音 Asakusa Kannon, 7/04/2012

Tradition and modernity: The Buddha of Mercy (one of the pair) and the Sky Tree - freshly constructed pride of Tokyo.

Asakusa area (浅草 lit. Shallow Grass) has a long history of merchant life thriving over here during the Edo period. Merchants, although wealthy, could not buy themselves any actual power, titles or religious favours. They couldn't even carry real swords, the symbols of perhaps impoverished, but still prestigious samurai caste. According to the Buddhist principles, in most cases their wealth and lifestyles crossed out the chances of any religious salvation. That's why at some point merchants turned to their very own saviour: Kannon Bosatsu 観音菩薩, a Goddess of Mercy, Amida Buddha's aide who's job was to save all the beings trapped in the cycle of reincarnation, the beings craving for, but unable to reach the Buddhahood. Sensou-ji, or the temple of Kannon of Asakusa as it is also known　(Sensou is the onyomi reading of Asakusa), is a wonderfully colourful, vibrant place, and is certainly worth visiting while in Tokyo.

The twin of the first Buddha, The Buddha of Wisdom (note the attribute and the hand position)

The main gate of Sensou-ji temple; around it - the little city of flashy coloured food stands spoiling every possible picture.

Temple gate; the lantern says Kofune-chou (place name)

Dragon engraving on the base of the lantern

Big 草鞋, waraji, straw sandal; a donation

These roofs never fail to impress me!

A five-storey pagoda, a Buddhist temple must-have.

The Main Hall of Sensou-ji

Ceiling painting of the Main Hall; photographed with permission and without the flash.

The Main Hall

Massive incense burner in front of the Main Hall. People light up a thick incense and cense themselves with a smoke, directing it on the face and rubing it into their chests. I swear I've seen the man who rubbed it onto his male parts (!), it might be some remedy or a protective ritual then.

The juicy green leaves were the great joy to the eyes.

Freshly baked melon pan, a sweet bun with melon aroma and crusty top layer. Bought in a little bakery just opposite the temple (located by the two Buddhas I mentioned in the beginning). It was the most delicious melon pan I've ever eaten!

Sky Tree, a new neighbour towering over the area. It is the tallest building in Tokyo now, and from late May it will be open to the public!

... and needless to say, we, happy-go-lucky explorers, traditionally had to forget about something... 

image source

Coming from the other side, and then leaving in the direction of the promissing brand new Sky Tree, we missed the famous 雷門, Kaminari-mon, the Thunder Gate. Oh well, next time, hopefully!

The Tokyo journey continues!

Tokyo Jaunt, pt.1: 皇居, The Imperial Palace, 6/04/2012

A month after an actual trip, but finally here, it's picture time! It was one hell of a spontaneous trip to Tokyo, with a very cheap hotel booked a day before and the night bus from Kyoto booked 5 hours before departure. It was a lot of fun, and proved it is possible to travel on a budget, even last-minute and to not that cheap of a place like Tokyo.

One of the bridges leading to Imperial Gardens

One of my first sakura, as fresh as a... daisy (huh-huh-huh, sorry, couldn't resist)

A bird amongst the flowers. I was really proud of my little idiot camera that managed to capture the moment!

Entering the Gardens.

Foundation of the old Edo period shogun palace. (During Bakufu, the shogunate, the Emperor was based in Kyoto and had virtually no power)

Very weird building on the Palace Grounds. I wish I knew what that was, there was no way to find out.

Very interesting Occidental lantern in Art Noveau style, looks like the relic of the Meiji period occidental fascination. The sign says it's an electric lantern that was once placed by the main gate of the palace, nearby a stone bridge.

One of the old buildings on the Grounds.

The moat surrounding the Palace Grounds. With beautiful sakura on the bank.

The park outlooking the Imperial Grounds.

These two reminded me of some 1970' postcards In my grandpa's collection! Even the colour pallette is correct!

The main gate leading to the famous stone bridge and a glimpse of the palace...

... but after walking over 5km around the palace in burning sun, we were too tired and hungry to go in and check yet another gate. Of course, ironically, that was the one we were looking for! Oh well, next time!

To make the long walk around the palace more enjoyable, there are 47 paving stones with depictions of flowers (or fruits) characteristic for every prefecture.

For the incurably curious - the list of characteristic flowers and fruits.

The journey has just begun... Please, come and check the other parts soon!