| |
|
Words-and-Pictures: Nara's Kikoji
(as seen on October 10th, 2001, on the
Yamato stage of the Aki
Meguri)
|
| Note: Nara is in
the heart of Old Yamato. Kikoji is one of the many temples located on Nara's quieter
west side. It is between Saidaiji and the
Tomb of Emperor Suinin. A walk down this road
evokes the past in a way that few places can. You can read
about my visit to Nara in my Logbook, read more about my Yamato
experiences, or read about the entire Aki
Meguri from the beginning. |
| |
| This was a surprise. I turned off the main road onto
the grounds. The entrance is at the back of the main hall, so you
don't really know what you're getting into. As I strolled in
carefree, a man came running up behind me shouting
"Konnichiwa"--and promptly asked me for 300 yen. 300
yen? I thought. The Great Buddha was only 500! Digging for
coins, all I could come up with was a 500 yen piece. As he started
to run off for change, I told him to keep it. Charge me 300, will
ya? I'll show you--I'll give you 500! That'll teach
him.
Well, it was worth it. A desolate little hall filled with
spectacular statuary. This must have been some place in its
heyday. If anyone knows more about it, please fill me in.
|
|
|
The unpromising
entry from behind the main hall |
| The marvelous front of the main hall. |
|
|
|
Gravestones in the
small cemetery |
HISTORY
