Ryouanji…finally
I’ve been severely slacking on this blog! Time to roll up my sleeves and make this happen!
First off, I went to an incredible temple complex called Ryouanji a couple weeks ago. It contains a very famous zen rock garden that you’ve probably seen a picture of at some point in your life, whether you know it or not. I posted a video of it in the post before this. I don’t really find the video to be very impressive, but you decide! Though pictures can’t do this awesome complex justice, I think they’ll do a better job than words. So here we go:
This is the first gate into the complex. Eric is getting his zen on.
A lovely map. My camera strap is only a temporary addition to the complex.
They have gone through great lengths to keep this dead tree from falling into the pond. Ropes have been tied around it’s trunk, and you can sort of see the large wooden support structure holding it up.
and now the rock garden:
They were cutting down these incredibly sculpted trees. I’m guessing the wood is used for religious purposes.
That’s the Ryouanji story. I don’t know how well it translates, but it was my favorite temple experience yet.
As a final thought for this post, here is a liquor store chain in Japan:
That’s right, Liquor Mountain.
