kyonoki


Ki	Rhod	Misako
Adventures in Kyoto

Kawaii desu yo!


In a few years time Nara will receive an ancient set of statues for 1,300 years. Although I could not understand most of the advertisement, it seems that the city is preparing a grand welcoming for the artifacts from Kyoto (the old capital) which has housed the statues for the last millennium. And what better way to educate the people than with a couple of cute characters, both wearing deer horns. Only in Japan!

In a few years time Nara will receive an ancient set of statues for 1,300 years. Although I could not understand most of the advertisement, it seems that the city is preparing a grand welcoming for the artifacts from Kyoto (the old capital) which has housed the statues for the last millennium. And what better way to educate the people than with a couple of cute characters, both wearing deer horns. Only in Japan!

24 10 08 - 10:43 - kieren - Photostory| No comments - § ¶

Frantic feeding

Mi-chan somewhat over-reacting to being surrounded by deer.

Rhod bought some senbei and was soon surrounded, the deer nipping at his legs and tucking into his cardigan. He then went into school-master mode, ticking off the more boisterous beasts to little effect. (more)

24 10 08 - 10:42 - kieren - Photostory| No comments - § ¶

The fogs of Kameoka

Kameoka is known as one of Japan's foggiest cities. It's relatively new name (previously it was known as Kameyama) means 'turtle hills' in allusion to the surrounding mountains. Without fail I would throw back the bedroom curtains and discover the early morning draped with thick fog, harbringer of a sunny day. Walking home late at night, the first fronds of fog would curl about the buildings and seemingly pour from the rivers and streams. A time for horror stories around a cracking fire. (more)

24 10 08 - 10:39 - kieren - Photostory| No comments - § ¶

Mi-chan and the big Buddha

With her belly as round as Buddha's, we decided to end our holiday to Japan in Nara, a city that -although we have visited many times- Mi-chan has never been. After an unfortunate delay in which Mi-chan fell asleep on a train heading towards Kansai airport (completely the wrong direction and wrong train for Nara, something she blamed on being pregnant), we caught up and spent a relaxing afternoon walking through the parkland. Our trail took us past Kofuku-ji's impressive pagoda, through Nara's park filled with deer, around Kasuga Shrine, up onto the veranda of Nigatsu-do and down to Todai-ji in which sits the world's largest bronze buddha.

The most memorable part of the day was Mi-chan's happy shriek of 'Deer! Deer!' I wonder if she had ever seen one in the wild. Although cute, after being swamped by a whole herd chasing after the sembei wafers purchased from one of the many vendors, it is easy to grow tired and frightened by their gnashing teeth. Jumpers and coats beware. (more)

24 10 08 - 10:38 - kieren - Photostory| No comments - § ¶

Shika shika




Stinky, muddy, lecherous, demanding, frightening, noisy, occassionally cute Nara deer. Messengers of the gods, or tasty wartime snack? Tame deer roam through the town of Nara, and might be considered 'tame' unless you happen to have any shika sembei (Deer Biscuits) in your hands. According to the legendary history of Kasuga Shrine, a mythological god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijo-kyo. Since then the deer were regarded as heavenly animal to protect the city and the country. Some of the deer have learned to bow in response to tourists' bows, but mostly to win a present of food.

24 10 08 - 10:21 - kieren - Photostory| No comments - § ¶

Race to descend

With the sun slowly disappearing behind the hazy shadow of mountains, we hurried to descend the mountain before darkness came. With screaming baby, we skittered down the slopes, slipping once or twice on tree roots. At the halfway point Rhod sat waiting with a sleeping Kitty. Picking them up we raced the rest of the way down, legs screaming, until we were standing again in the car-park, a mere 4 hours after leaving. (more)

24 10 08 - 09:55 - kieren - Photostory| No comments - § ¶

Fire retardant

After a trip to Ho-Masubi, Gil is not impervious to fire! Level Up!

24 10 08 - 09:46 - kieren - Photostory| No comments - § ¶

Protecting Gil

After two hours of sweating and struggling up the crumbling earth paths of Atago, Erina lumbered with a baby that howled for a great part of it, we passed under the Kuramon (Black Gate) and up stone steps that led to the main shrine. I was left with the impression that most of the precinct, overgrown and little more than meadow, was once much grander, the temple filled with buildings and a grand avenue. Now there are broken walls, a scattering of stone lanterns and a soothing calm. Bone weary and slick with sweat and dirt, it seemed strange to me that such efforts went to constructing a shrine so remote from the imperial city below. Happily we prayed for Gil at the home of the god of fire and set our sights on the return journey.

(more)

24 10 08 - 09:45 - kieren - Photostory| No comments - § ¶

Last Comments

LFD (Alice Down The Ra…): Sounds like you might hav…
ki (Atago-san: Abando…): Climb the mountain again!…
Erina (Atago-san: Abando…): Hi Ki-chan Thank you fo…
Hazel (Back together aga…): Lovely to hear from you, …
ki (Replacing fortune…): Thank you Trev. Japan is …
trev (Replacing fortune…): You help inspire my views…
ki (Back together aga…): Hi Hazel, how are you? It…
Hazel (Back together aga…): Lovely family picture, ma…
happy 2see (Back together aga…): That’s a really cool fami…
Mark (Where the frogs b…): Really great to see these…

京のキー

About

ALL NEW Gallery

Last Comments

Intake

Call of Duty 4 (360)

Links

Search

Archives