Sunday 16 December 2018

One Day Route: Hiking Loop around Malinowski Stream

We start the route from the parking lot in the village of Ostre, where the blue, yellow and green routes begin. I started climbing the blue trail towards Skrzyczne. There is a mountain shelter on Skrzyczne and you can relax here. We continue our walk along the green route towards Malinowska Skała. Just after this point, we turn left onto the yellow trail and after a few kilometers, we return to the parking lot.

The route is around 18 km long and should take about 5 hours. A longer version of this route can be found here.

Hiking Loop around the Malinowski Stream
On the way to Skrzyczne (blue route)
Mountain shelter on Skrzyczne 
On the way to Malinowska Skała (green route)
Yellow route

Location:

Tuesday 6 November 2018

Kōshō-ji

Uji is not only Phoenix Hall - another interesting attraction is Kōshō-ji. The complex consists of historic buildings, a beautiful rock garden.

In 1233, after returning from a study mission to China, Dogen Zenji founded Kosho-ji, the first Soto temple in Fukakusa, south of the ancient capital of Kyoto. During medieval fighting, a fire destroyed the complex. In 1648, the local ruler Nagai Naomasa rebuilt it in Uji, in its current location.

Kōshō-ji - Main Hall
Kōshō-ji - Sawagani
Kōshō-ji - The Ryugu-zukuri temple gate
Kōshō-ji - The main gate
Kōshō-ji - Belfry
Kōshō-ji - Rokkaku-do Hall
Kōshō-ji - Fudōshin
Kōshō-ji
Kōshō-ji
Kōshō-ji - The Ryugu-zukuri temple gate
Kōshō-ji - Stone Garden
Kōshō-ji - Daikokuten
Kōshō-ji
Kōshō-ji - Kotozaka
Kōshō-ji - Kotozaka
Kōshō-ji - The outer gate

Location:

Byōdō-in Hoodo - Phoenix Hall

In Japan, the mythical Phoenix was adopted as a symbol of the imperial family. This mythical bird represents fire, sun, justice, obedience, and loyalty. It symbolizes rebirth and triumph, as well as the renewal of self. Where can you meet it? Time to go to Uji.

Phoenix Hall - the main building of Byōdō-in Temple in Uji

Byōdō-in Hoodo is a 15-minute walk from Uji JR Station. We move through the narrow streets with shops and restaurants, where you should look around and stop to admire the Japanese approach to beauty or order.

On the way to Byōdō-in Temple
On the way to Byōdō-in Temple
On the way to Byōdō-in Temple
On the way to Byōdō-in Temple
On the way to Byōdō-in Temple
Byōdō-in Temple and school trips

The main attraction of the Byōdō-in temple complex is the Phoenix Hall (Hoodo). The Phoenix Hall depicts the mythical Chinese Phoenix (Hoo) descending to the ground, with the central hall as a bird's body, side corridors, wings and tail represented by the back corridor. The mythical phoenix motif comes from China, and the bird was considered the protector of Buddha. The significance of Byōdō-in Hoodo in Japan is demonstrated by his Phoenix Hall on the reverse of the Japanese 10 yen coin.

10 yen coin with Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall
Phoenix Hall

Byōdō-in Hoodo is not the only attraction of the complex. It's worth walking around here and seeing all the buildings like Kannon-do Hall, Saisyo-in Temple, Byodoin Museum Hoshokan, Jōdo-in Temple, Rakan-do Hall, and Fudo-do Hall.

Kannon-do Hall
Kannon-do Hall
Saisyo-in Temple
Byodoin Museum Hoshokan
Jōdo-in Temple
Jōdo-in Temple
Jōdo-in Temple
Rakan-do Hall
Fudo-do Hall

Yorimasa during the war Genpei commanded Minamoto forces defending Byōdō-in. Unfortunately, the opponent managed to break through the defense and seize the temple. Suffering from failure at Uji, he committed suicide in Byōdō-in. The ritual suicide of Minamoto no Yorimasa by seppuku may be the earliest recorded suicide in the face of failure. According to legend, after his death, the servant took Yorimasa's head to prevent her from falling into the hands of Tairi. Then he attached it to a rock and threw it into the Uji River so that it could not be found.

Grave of Minamoto no Yorimasa
Around Byōdō-in Temple
Around Byōdō-in Temple
Around Byōdō-in Temple
Around Byōdō-in Temple
Around Byōdō-in Temple
Around Byōdō-in Temple
Around Byōdō-in Temple

Location: