Koukamon Gate (皇嘉門) at Taiyuin (大猷院) at the World Heritage site in Nikko city, Tochigi prefecture. Taiyuin is a Buddhist temple at which the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa (徳川家光) is worshipped.
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| Iemitsu TOKUGAWA (image from Wiki) |
To enjoy what Taiyuin has to offer, you are supposed to pay 550 JPY (around $6-7). However, there are places that are still prohibited for visitors to enter. You will see warning "Off limit" signs at particular places.
Koukamon Gate, built under the influence of the Ming Dynasty style of China, is the entrance gate to the Okunoin Inner House (奥の院), where Iemitsu's spirit sleeps. There is no "Off limit" sign in front of the Koukamon Gate, however, no visitors are allowed to go any further than that gate. Even the priests working at Taiyuin have very limited opportunity to go through the gate. Yes, Okunoin Inner House is that sacred of a place!!!
This is a That's my world entry.
Nice photo about this interesting and colorful building.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
What a gorgeous photo it is!
ReplyDeleteThe gate is painted in five colors, black, white, red, green or blue and gold instead of yellow. I suppose the temples in Nikko are very special and unique. Most of Buddhist temples in Japan are seldom repainted and appreciated as they are. I would like to see this beautiful structure! Thank you for sharing.
What wonderful detail and craftsmanship! Lovely shot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand photo and of course a great explanation.Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeletenice long shot
ReplyDeletewow, not only is the gate beautiful, but the setting too with the tall trees as a backdrop. and it surprises me that beyond the gate is off limits to even the priests there. a gorgeous photo Yoshi, I really like the perspective. have a great week!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful and a super setting.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week Yoshi.
Great photo of that beautiful and colorful structure!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, fascinating capture of a magnificent gate! Your photos are always so superb, Yoshi! A real delight! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
A magnificent structure. Unthinkable to have the like built intodays's mad rush and confused values.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.
such beautiful details!
ReplyDeleteAgain, you have posted another very beautiful picture. These Buddhist temples are so elegant and serene. The one on the island of Oaha, that is the resplica of one in Japan, is one I never fail to visit when I am vacationing there. It is about 30 miles from Honolulu but it is well worth the drive to see its beauty and serenity.
ReplyDeletegreat post. what a gorgeous place and such lovely architecture.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos and the way you tell us the history surrounding them. This gate is gorgeous and the way you set up the shot is so interesting. This is a fabulous structure.
ReplyDeleteWow I would love to see more of this Yoshi!
ReplyDeleteA sacred place that few can enter … the curious must be tempted to know what is on the other side of the beautiful gate.
ReplyDeleteThe detail is amazing. How old is this would you say?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous gate. I love the intricate and colourful design. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Reminds me of the Gompas I've been to in India.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an awesome place and your photo is very dramatic. Beautifully done!
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