autumn leaves at shisendo

05Nov09

Since autumn is here and the maple-viewing season is almost upon us, I thought I would drop a few seasonally appropriate posts.  These shots were taken a few years ago on a trip to Shisendo temple (詩仙堂) that was taken together with the lovely Ohta Ikuko.  Shisendo is especially famous for its maple trees, which flame on in the most amazing colors in late November.  The temple was established in 1641 by Ishikawa Jozan, a poet, scholar of Chinese classics, and a landscape gardener.  Apparently Jozan fought alongside Tokugawa Ieyasu in his battle against the Toyotomi clan, which then held Osaka Castle.  The name of the temple — which can loosely be translated as “great poet temple” — is associated with the 36 portraits of classical Chinese poets (painted by Kano Tanyu) that were displayed in the main room of the temple.

Photo information, by order of appearance, including camera, lens, and film type:

1) Voigtlander Bessa-L, 15mm Heliar, Kodak 400UC.

2) Voigtlander Bessa-L, 15mm Heliar, Kodak 400UC.

3) Voigtlander Bessa R2A, 35mm Ultron, Fujifilm Velvia 100.

4) Voigtlander Bessa R2A, 35mm Ultron, Fujifilm Velvia 100.

5) Voigtlander Bessa-L, 15mm Heliar, Kodak 400UC.

6) Voigtlander Bessa R2A, 35mm Ultron, Fujifilm Velvia 100.

Filed under: culture, history, Japan, Kansai, literature, nature, photography, poetry, travel   |  6 Comments
Tags: autumn, autumn colors, Buddhism, Buddhist temple, changing of the leaves, Chinese classical poetry, 狩野探幽, 石川丈山, 紅葉, 詩仙堂, fall, fall colors, Ishikawa Jozan, Kano Tanyu, Kyoto, maple leaves, maples, poet, Shisendo, temple, 京都