Kyoto city is the capital of Kyoto prefecture which alone has beautiful 8000 temples that transports one to the century they belong.
The Japan Foundation has brought these historic and beautiful temples, surrounded by mesmerising landscapes, in the City, literally!
Photographs of some of these temples in Kyoto are being exhibited at the Foundation in Lajpat Nagar with an aim to make Indians aware of Japanese heritage.
Around 26 photographs in the exhibition ‘Kyoto Heritage’ have been clicked by a Japanese photographer Kazuyoshi Miyoshi.
The temples and monuments in Kyoto and Kyoto Prefecture are taken care of by communities of followers who built and believe in it. The government also take care of these monuments at its level.
“We would like to introduce Indians to the beautiful things in Japan like historical buildings, mesmerising scenery, diversified cultures along with good environment in spite of scarcity of land. We hope this fascinating heritage attracts Indians,” says Yusuke Matsuoka, Director for Arts and Cultural Exchange, The Japan Foundation.
Most of these Buddhist temples were built in Heian era between 794 to 1185 and thus have similar architecture. Some of these temples are Kiyomizu-dera, Ninna-ji, Rokuon-ji and Ryoan-ji. “Kyoto was the capital of Japan in the Heian Era, along with Nara prefecture in Tokyo. There were different communities or groups having different concepts related to Buddhism as a religion, similar to Hinduism in India.
They all have thus built temples and are taking care of them,” informs Yusuke.
Not only these temples have historic and religious vale, but are a wonder architecturally also.
Kiyomizu-dera temple in eastern Kyoto was founded in the early Heian period and built without using a single nail in the entire structure. It takes its name from the waterfall which runs off the nearby hills in the region. Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water.
Similarly, Ninna-ji temple has beautifully painted screen walls and a beautiful walled garden. It is the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism in Japan. Located in western Kyoto, Ninna-ji temple was also founded in Heian period in 888 AD and rebuilt in 1617.
“They all have some similarity since the architecture depends on the era in which they were built. But with the changing times, the architecture also kept changing,” he said. Some of these temples are open for worship even today.
The ‘Kyoto Heritage’, which is a part of the three-phased exhibition, will be on till June 30 from 11 am to 6 pm.
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