Photographs from a small group of islands
Definitely no spire. No stained glass windows either. In fact there aren’t even any bells. Well, apart from the one connected to the door that is. But, this tiny church in room 303 does follow one custom — services every Sunday.
In a welcome sun spot. On a bitterly cold day. Kyoto’s Nanzen-ji provided the perfect place to ponder the year that had almost passed, and make plans for the one quickly approaching.
The serenity. Solemnity. Not to mention incredible intensity. Of a Shinto priest.
What she wrote is a mystery. Equally unknown is whether it will come true or not. But what is certain is that she was giving it a tremendous amount of thought.
Kamakura’s Great Buddha (Daibutsu) is a huge draw for foreign and Japanese tourists alike; its impressive size and serene features making it worth the trek no matter how many times one has seen it.
In fact so calming is the statue that it’s almost possible to forget the crowds, and instead just enjoy the moment — not to mention its impermanence.
