Rurikoji Temple

From archive photos...

Rurikouji temple (瑠璃光寺), located in Yamaguchi city downtown, is Soto/Caodong school (曹洞宗) Buddhist temple that Bhaisajyaguru (薬師如来) is worshiped. The temple is a complex comprising Kazan (香山) park and Kazan cemetery where tombs of Mohri clan (毛利氏) are found. The cemetery is registered as historic site (史跡).

Entrance to Kazan Cemetery

The Rurikohji temple was originally located at Nihotakano (仁保高野) in Yamaguchi city that was established in 1447 by the widow of Hirofusa Sue (陶弘房) in condolence to him. Initially, it is called Anyohji temple (安養寺) but changed to Rurikohji temple in 1492.

Before the Rurikohji was moved to the current place, Kohshakuji temple (香積寺), established by Yoshihiro Ohuchi (大内義弘), was there. In 1604,  Terumoto Mohri (毛利輝元) decided to move the Kohshakuji temple to Hagi city. In 1690 Rurikouji temple was transferred there.

The 31.2 meters tall five-story pagoda (五重塔), built around 1442, is registered as National treasures of Japan (国宝). It is the 10th oldest one in Japan.

Five-story pagoda

This is Our World Tuesday entry.

Have a wonderful week.

Cherry Tree at Korinji Temple

From the archive. Fish-eye filmed by old film camera, Nikon F801S, with negative Kodak film at Korinji Temple (光淋寺) of Jodo school (浄土宗) in Utsunomiya city. Approximately 250-year-old popular cherry tree is registered as natural monument by the city.

The Weirdest Christmas Tree!

Butterfly resting after the eclosion

Since today it was the coldest day so far this winter, we came up with an idea of visiting a green house that provides us with spring-to-early-summer temperatures and heavenly moisture, located within the Igashira Park (井頭公園) complex in Moka city (真岡市). For those who are curious about this park and the city, please go check this article in our Budget Trouble blog (though the article's not yet fixed... Sorry for that).

As you can see photos above, a series of butterflies are waiting for you there. They are beautiful and lovely. When it's sunny, you simply forget that it's Christmas season if you are a resident of the northern hemisphere.

I was so eager to photograph them but I had to wait for 20 minutes or so until the condensation on the lens disappeared... What makes this green house unique is a Christmas tree decorated with a bunch of butterfly pupae! REAL ONES!!! No kidding! They're not socks, LED lights, or plastic toys.

Lots of pupae hanging. ALL REAL!!!

From some butterflies have already emerged and the shells are empty, others are not.

(Left) Pupae decoration   (Right) Overview of the tree

The fee to the green house is 400 JPY (adult). From 9:30 to 16:00.

This is a Macro Monday entry.

I am back!

Dear visitors,

I am terribly sorry for being away from your wonderful blog(s). Due to my family issue that happened soon after 3/11 disaster, I sort of lost my motivation to photograph. To be honest, I still am but I find it inappropriate not to update my blog.

From now on, I will resume posting photos, though not as often as I used to do.

This photo was taken last spring at Korinji temple (広琳寺) in Utsunomiya city with my old film camera, Nikon F801S with a fish eye lens, of course. It's totally out of the season now but the 200-year-old cherry tree should be worth sharing with my visitors.



This is also an entry for Show Me Japan Vol 1, Issue 24. If you want to see nice photos taken in Japan, don't forget to visit!!!

 

Pastel Colors

Sorry that this photo is totally out of season. I just wanted to have pastel colors on my blog. It's just a compensation, you know. But I can't wait for spring to come!

This is a Moody Monday entry,  The theme is "Muted". And Today's Flower entry.

      

Have a wonderful Monday.

Sunflower in autumn

This is for Skywatch Friday.