#kitain temple

[monoatelier]

2023年11月21日  喜多院 Fujifilm X-T20 + 35mm

[maiji]

Today we went to Kawagoe, also known as Koedo ("little Edo"). More photos and info on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbt1HGiDBSR/ I didn't realize a few places were actually closed Monday, so we spent most of our time in Kurazukuri no Machinami (Warehouse District), an area full of shops and cafes set up in Edo-period buildings. In the morning we visited Kitain. This temple contains the only parts of Edo Castle still in existence, including a room believed to be the birthplace of the Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. It's also home to the 500 Statues of Rakan - actually 540 statues representing the disciples of Buddha. Every statue is distinct, with different expressions and poses - some are interacting with objects, animals and even each other. There's a legend that if you go at night amongst the statues, you'll find that one is warm to the touch. If you mark it and come back during the day, it will be the statue that is most like you. It was fascinating to walk through them. I took photos of a few of my favourites. Kitain was also hosting a chrysanthemum festival while we were there! One of my favourite flowers, and there were even English explanations on the various types, styles and configurations being exhibited.

[takashiredux]

Orange Bench Kitain Temple, Saitama, Japan, August 16, 2022

[acrosstheoceans]

Kitain Temple early in the morning without any tourists around. Be sure to arrive early, so your pictures will be free of unwanted strangers! Kawagoe, Saitama-shi.  Picture by pinkstrawberrycigarettes. All rights reserved.

[mckismarie]

川越市 Kawagoe

Yesterday was kind of long. I rode my bike down to Musashisakai Station (by myself!!). As I was riding away from the school a wasp hit me in my glasses, but then like...we parted ways and I guess it was cool? I had another run in with an insect though. Here's how it went.

Me: I have to go to do something about this hair on my chin. Wait. Isn't my hair up today? Wait. Don't I not have a beard? Big Green Spider: Hi, I'm on your face.

Can't say that part of the trip was fun.

Anyway, from the station we went to Kawagoe. We changed lines once and trains twice. Turns out the food on this field trip was provided. So I ended up walking into a dream that I didn't know I had. There were like, four tables, filled with matching sets of food. There was lots of food. Wasn't sure what the food was. But there was lots of it. Also: hungry.

Here, a photo of my happiness:

Not pictured: Rice, udon, seafood pudding.

After that, we went to Kitain Temple.

Later on, I will be able to read what this says. It probably says something about please don't be rude by taking photos.

I also learned a little something about this well. You put some of the water in your left hand, cleanse it, then do the same to your right. Put some more water in your left hand (make it cupped) and drink from it. Spit the water out in the water area around the well. Then you can go up to the temple.

There was also a cemetery there, but I did not take photos of it because nearly entirely sure that's pretty rude.

And then we went on to harvest rice. I am terrible at harvesting rice. There are no pictures of me harvesting rice, because I'm not entirely sure I want to save the memory of me trying to harvest rice. Or how horrible my Japanese became the second I stepped on to that field.

The older man helping us harvest rice claps me on the shoulder as I leave. "Ganbette," he says, looking at me as though he has never been more sure to say that to someone in his life before now. He is probably wondering how I wake up in the morning without falling on my head. My responding thanks if quiet and somber and generally defeated.

I have been defeated by rice.

On a brighter note, we also each received a yummy present. A free bag of rice~! Now I can begin the long journey to demystifying my dorm's communal rice cookers.