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A Matter of Religion
The dramatic gate of Jinguji temple
Coming & Going, it’s literally in our name. Our geographic region is called Wakasa, a word of Korean origin which means coming and going.
Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, is also a word of Korean origin. It’s one of several indicators that points to the fact that our port and valley were one of the earliest entry points for commercial and cultural trade with the Korean peninsula and China. The grandeur and sheer number of ancient temples here denotes our regions likely status as a primary entry point for Buddhism into Japan. Time may have whittled down the scale of these palaces of worship in some cases, but it’s also beautifully preserved and enveloped them in the bounty of verdant nature that surrounds us. What results is a landscape that can feel at times like lovingly maintained movie sets with the film crews on permanent hiatus.
Jinguji, The Temple of the Vow to the Gods
Jinguji temple was established in the year 714 and was originally comprised of some 1100 or so structures. It's the only temple in Japan that has continuously operated as both a temple & shrine having 3 alters in its main hall, 2 Buddhist and 1 Shinto, a fact that has on occasion drawn the ire of Japanese right-wing nationalists. It's famous for its dramatic nighttime mizuokuri ceremony held every March 02, a symphony of fire and water often held against the quieted hush of a snow drenched landscape.
Myotsuji, A Mystical Mountain Temple Like No Other
The ethereal approach to the main hall of Miyotsuji temple
Lovingly hugged by nature… is about the best way I can describe this otherworldly emprise. The ascension to the main gate is like stepping into a spiritual realm that feels seductively familiar yet somehow forbidden. Built in 806 by the same lord who constructed Kyoto’s Kyomizudera, it enshrines the Yakushi Nyorai(the medicine Buddha), but you didn’t need me to tell you that to feel the remarkable healing properties of this place.
There’s a lot to be said about places of such historic significance so lovingly maintained, fully enveloped in nature, and largely void of tourists. All that peace of mind, All that beauty of nature, All to yourself.