Photoessay #1016 - Stalwart Guards

I have SO much material from my Yamagata visit already.

Today, we went to the mineral springs bath (more on that later maybe), stopped at a sushi place (ditto on that). Nobuko drove a bit into the hills into some lovely older neighborhoods. She was quite thrilled to find the apartment house where she lived as a young married. Also, she remembered that there were some beautiful small places where local ceramics are made (ditto on that).

A tour bus stopped in the narrow streets and Nobuko remembered there was a rather famous temple nearby so we wandered over to take a look. (Note: there are shrines and temples EVERYWHERE) Beautiful peaceful grounds and colorful items in the temple. We asked a lady tending the temple if we could take pictures. Somebody else said that a special temple in the back was open this week for special something. We went around through between two beautiful rows of cedars to the smaller temple in back.

Nobuko mentioned that there was a special very old statue of a very important monk, probably the most holy of all monks. We went up the stairs and the sliding door was open. "Quick", said Nobuko, "Take off your shoes and go in and take a picture!"

So I did, I'll ask Nobuko the name. Dyneecheeknyoli (phonetic)

Then I turned around and saw the fearsome figures who were guarding the statue of the holy monk. They literally gave me a start. These guys mean business!

KonngorikishEE (phonetic) name of guards

Nobuko says that they must be very very strong to fight off evil.




PS We are going to Kyoto in a few days. Nobuko mused that this experience might be as good as Kyoto. There, many people are looking and you may not take pictures. "This is just a small temple in the country, nobody here to tell you that you may not take photographs"