Mike Dinsmore

Shukkeien Garden

Mike Dinsmore — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:58:19 +0000

The Shukkeien Garden is nestled in the center of Hiroshima city. Surrounded by apartment buildings, it represents a motif in Japan that I am becoming fond of: traditional coexisting with contemporary.

Atsuta Shrine

Mike Dinsmore — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:37:27 +0000

Happy New Year from Atsuta-ji, Nagoya.

Todai-ji

Mike Dinsmore — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:44:55 +0000

A wonderful fall day to go cruise around Nara. It was a bit brisk outside but warm enough that I didn’t need to bring a jacket (I was regretting that decision after the sun went down). It was my first time in Nara, so I went to the Tadai-ji Temple. It was originally built in 794 AD and serves as a place of prayer as well as a center of the Buddhist doctrinal research. The statue of Vairocana Buddha is made from cast bronze, and was then plated with gold. It has been damaged and repaid several times in the centuries since then. The current hands of the statue were made in the Momoyama period (1568 – 1615), and the head was made in the Edo period (1615 – 1867). The current hall is the third generation structure and is 33% smaller than the original yet it still ranks as the largest wooden structure in the world.

The garden next to where I live

Mike Dinsmore — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:16:01 +0000

Buried between apartments and houses you will find hatake (small gardens) throughout my neighborhood. The one next to me is tended to by an old lady and her husband (I presume). She annoys me sometimes by burning dead leaves and branches outside my window. Despite that she has a beautiful garden.

Nembutsuji

Mike Dinsmore — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:28:24 +0000

Nembutsuji Temple is located in the northern area of Arashiyama. Around the temple are about eight thousand stones of Buddha. These stones are gravestones for the dead buried in the Adashino area. This temple is believed by some to be the spiritual home of religious people in Japan.

Bamboo Groves

Mike Dinsmore — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:15:43 +0000

From the Tenryuji Temple garden, you can exit into the Bamboo Groves. It’s a short walk, but what it lacks in length in makes up for in beauty. The bamboo is very thick so there is little light which makes is a good thing I brought my tripod (by then I was sick of carrying it around with me).

Tenryuji

Mike Dinsmore — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:10:55 +0000

Tenryuji is one of Kyoto’s largest and most impressive temples. The Main Hall and Shoin Drawing Room are open to walk around in. They both look out to the Sogen Garden. Around the garden are walking paths. I spent most of my time at this temple because it was both so large and so interesting.

Daihikaku Senkoji

Mike Dinsmore — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:48:45 +0000

The Daihikaku Senkoji Temple is located at the end of a quaint hike along the Hozu River. It’s a short steep climb to the temple but from the top it offers a splendid view of Kyoto. The temple was built by wealthy merchant and scholar Suminokura Ryoi in the 1500s.

Togetsukyo Bridge

Mike Dinsmore — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:39:01 +0000

Nestled at the base of Arashiyama, the Togetsukyo Bridge spans the Hozu River. Heading west along the river is a beautiful hike that brings you to the Daihikaku Senkoji.

Mikoshi Matsuri, 2011

Mike Dinsmore — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:54:18 +0000

Every fall, my town has its mikoshi matsuri. A mikoshi is a portable shrine that is paraded around the town. The larger mikoshis are called yatai. Inside the yatai are children who keep the rhythm by playing a drum while the men carry it. The yatai can weigh well over a ton. They are elaborately decorated with many Japanese symbols including samurai, dragons, and lions. The festival begins in the morning and lasts throughout the day and night. During which, other towns meet and fight by chanting “yoiyasa” and lifting the yatais over their heads. Many people come out to watch the event and it’s a great way for the community to bond. For me, it was a great chance to be a part of the community and to truly experience Japanese culture.