putting legs on a snake

Kyoto became the capital city after the emperial court moved away from Nara (previous entry) and even today the city is a treasure chest of temples and shrines. Considering I added Korea and Japan to my trip itinerary on a whim while in China and did not check into any details such as weather, I did pretty well with the timing: Kyoto was a beautiful kaleidoscope of intense fall colors.

a geisha in the bamboo forest

In addition to the Buddhist temples and Shinto (Japan's homegrown religion) shrines, the many people in traditional dress add to the special atmosphere in Kyoto.

In addition to many people in beautiful kimonos, some women also are dressed as geishas. There are only a few hundred actual geishas in Kyoto, but the whole concept of these traditional entertainers has had a surge in popularity again within the last decade, and it is quite popular to spend 80-100 USD to get a complete geisha makeover. At first, this caught the ire of the real geisha community, but I was told that this has subsided, probably as they have realized that this also helps keep the real geisha entertainers in the public consiousness.

a small temple

KARAOKE

I was out exploring the beautiful temples in the evening and was contemplating entering one of the large complexes that is lit up at night in the late fall (showing off both the buildings and the red leaves), when I ran into Atsu, a native of Kyoto who was out walking his dog. After talking a bit, Atsu boiled things down to the relevant question for the moment: "What would you really rather spend your money on: a lit up temple or on karaoke?"

Indeed. Karaoke it is! Japanese karaoke is quite the fun experience, and yes, I did sing Dancing Queen.

ZEN (PUTTING LEGS ON A SNAKE)

In the 14th century, Zen Buddhism came to Japan from China and it became quite popular with the Shogunate (who vied with the emperors for power and were backed by sword-wielding (and pen-holding bureaucrat-) samurai). This is interesting, since one (or I at least since I dont know much about the topic) doesnt really tend to equate Zen meditation with being a warrior-religion, but something about letting go of earthly desires as well as the strictness of the Soto form of Zen buddhism popular in Japan probably attracted soldiers/samurai going to fight (and possibly dying). The latter is not my though, but from GEO Epoche (thanks Bertram), so there is probably actually something to it.

beautiful fall colors everywhere

There are may Zen-gardens in Kyoto which are quite beautiful in their sparse layout, aiming "not to put legs on a snake" (that is, not to add more than is necessary). These gardens provide quite a contrast with some of the lavish temples, such as the Golden Pavilion and the Sanjusangen-go, which houses 1001 golden statues of the many-armed Kannon, the Buddhist godess of mercy (yes, I double checked, it really is 1001).

beautiful kimonos

crowds on the shopping street

Fall colors at a zen garden

Geishas from the back - look at the paint!

karaoke!

Kiyomizyu-dera temple

more geishas

more pretty zen gardens

we dont know what this sign says either

Zen garden in Kyoto