Da ich diesen Account hier gerade von meinem alten umgezogen habe (leider ohne meine Follower mitnehmen zu können, da mein alter Account ein Adminaccount einer Single-User-Instanz war - da klappen umleitungen auf neue Accounts nicht) stelle ich mich kurz und knapp neu vor:
Sumadera (須磨寺) is a unique #temple full of iconographic #arts, at the western end of Kōbe (神戸). Perhaps because it's not in Kyōto or Nara, there is little information available online about Sumadera, even in #Japanese. It was founded in 886 and has its own branch of Kūkai's #Shingon#Buddhism: Sumadera-ha (真言宗須磨寺派). It is internationally active, and a place for #religious practices rather than an outdoor museum. By the same token, it's free to enter.
Suma appears in ancient waka poetry (和歌) of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables, and is associated with the Heike Monogatari (平家物語). I was determined to go, despite the rain, because I'd read an article clarifying wabi and sabi with a #waka coincidentally about Suma. The first photos show Sumadera's exchanges with #Nepal resulting in a display of Tibetan #Buddhist and #Hindu#iconography. Although there was light rain on the beach at first, later up at Sumadera the day turned bright.
Documented 100th different #presentation topic, this time the format and content completely unlike anything before, drawing from my familiarity with Kyōto #Buddhist temples (first photo), Shintō shrines, and festivals reenacting the Heian Period of over a thousand years ago. The slideshow is at at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379221428
The pechakucha (third photo) rapid-fire presentations were also a social event in Nishinomiya, between Ōsaka and Kōbe, involving Kōnan University students, teachers, and other English users. The editor of our book A Passion for Japan gave me a cameo in his presentation by discussing my chapter (last photo).
The large temple complex Ninna-ji (仁和寺) in Kyōto was founded by Emperor Uda in 888 in the early Heian Period, and for most of its history its head priest was an Imperial family member. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has its own school of Shingon Buddhism and brand of sakura cherry trees (see photos). The stone Buddhas are off by the east entrance and missed by most visitors. The violet azaleas go well with the white cherry blossoms.
Internally-etched crystal balls (and other shapes) are everywhere here. You can find them in temple (Buddhist and Daoist both) souvenir shops, in souvenir shops in general for those not in ball form (for some reason crystal balls are used only in 风水(fēng shui)/religious contexts, less commonly as souvenir decorations) and they come in sizes ranging from 30cm+ (which are HORRENDOUSLY expensive!), down to 4cm or less.
I shared a pic recently of a 10cm crystal ball with Buddhist iconography in it, and here now are two 4cm crystal balls (again with Buddhist iconography).
Now here's a dirty little secret. Small crystal balls (10cm or less) are DIRT CHEAP. The 10cm ball I shared earlier can be purchased for about $6 and these two balls (not the stands, those I had from earlier) I picked up for about $0.50. Not each: total. Including shipping.
Which is why I laugh so hard when I see a supplier on Etsy selling 4cm crystal balls with identical etching for almost twenty bucks a pop. For $20 I can get a 20cm ball if I look carefully enough.
A peaceful morning on the way to work. I usually don't like getting started in the mornings on Mondays. This was a good reminder to take a deep breath and slow down.