Japan

Dr. Diana Prince

Description

This book is a glimpse into the fascinating world of Japan
This book explores the fascinating country of Japan. It highlights the remarkable cities, the natural beauty, and above all, the warmth of its people.
Vivid photographs capture the places and the people who have made Japan their home.

Sujets

• Photographie Créative
• Regional
• Japan
• Photography
• Travel
• Subjects
• Themes

Informations

• Publié par: AuthorHouse
• Date de parution: 19 février 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 3
• EAN13: 9798823000420
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 6 Mo

Extrait

JAPAN

Dr. Diana Prince
© 2023 Dr. Diana Prince. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

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views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

All of the photos in this book were taken by the author, and are the property of the Author.

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0043-7 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0044-4 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0042-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023901917

Published by AuthorHouse 02/18/2023
CONTENTS

Cities and Towns

People

Nature

Adventures on the Road

Religion

INTRODUCTION

Exploring Japan

This book on Japan is intended to capture a sense of the country from its remarkable cities, its natural beauty, and above all, the warmth of its people.
It is also a photographic journey of the Cities and Towns, People, Nature, Adventures on the Road and Religion .
It is important to understand the major and complex role religion has played in the long history of Japan. The two predominant religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shintoism.
Since the sixth century, Buddhism has been practiced here. Many of the Buddhist shrines have weathered the centuries.
The Senso-ji is the oldest Buddhist Temple. Built in 645 AD, it is located in Asakusa, an ancient neighborhood in Tokyo. The temple is dedicated to the Japanese goddess named Kannon. This goddess is known as the “Bodhisattva of Compassion”. She is also revered as the “Goddess of Mercy”. A Buddhist sect called the “Sho-Kannon” maintains the Temple.
The temple was bombed during World War II, but the extensive structural damage was subsequently repaired.
Every spring the “Sanja Matsuri” religious festival is held at Senso-ji. The temple has grown to include a large complex of subsidiary rooms and shrines.
The massive temple entrance is called the “Thunder Gate”. Nearby a five-story pagoda rises high above the Tokyo suburb. It is a shrine to the Goddess Kannon, raising her hand in a gesture of peace.
In Shinto tradition, the oldest of the Japanese gods is Fugin, who is revered as the “god of the winds.” He is believed to have witnessed the creation of the world.
In the early 1500’s, Jesuit missionaries from Portugal had made many conversions at Nagasaki. There was a large Christian following here. The number of adherents to the new religion, estimated at about half a million, was considered a threat. In Nagasaki, twenty-six adherents were killed for their faith. This sparked other violence which ultimately resulted in over 2,000 Christians being killed for their faith in Japan. Today there is a memorial to commemorate “the 26 martyrs of Nagasaki”.
In the early 1600’s, Japan had issued a ban on Christianity. Over two hundred years later in 1873, Japan lifted the ban against Christianity in Japan.
In an interesting note of recent history, when the famous Catholic Basilica of Notre Dame in France was partially destroyed by fire in Paris, France in 2019, it was the Todai-ji Buddhist headquarters in Japan which stepped forward to collect funds to help rebuild the cathedral.
The Todai-ji shrine is one of the most beloved shrines in Japan. It is called the “Hall of the Great Buddha”. Inside, there is a massive statue of the “Buddha Daibutsu.” In this statue, Buddha is holding his hand up in a gesture of peace. The massive statue weighs 550 tons. This temple is considered one of the “Seven Great Temples” of Japan. It was built in the city of Mara in the seventh century.
Today there are also many adherents to the Shinto religion. It is an aspect of worship that recognizes God as he is revealed in nature and the world around us.
In many of the spiritual shrines, and also in some of their public buildings, the Japanese will introduce the use of the “obelisk” into the architectural design. The use of the obelisk in architectural design represents “spiritual energy”, which literally “points to heaven.” Also, some people believe that the shape represents “a ray of the sun” shining down upon the earth.
DESTINATIONS IN JAPAN

HAKONE

Located on the intense blue Lake Ashi, Hakone is an excellent vantage point for seeing the towering, snow-covered peak of Mount Fugi. Hakone is located near museums and the Izu National Park.
One of Japan’s most iconic sights is the Torii Gate. It rises from the water near the shore of Lake Ashi. This port is well-known for its hot springs, museums and hiking. It also has art shops and antiques. There is even a Venetian Glass Museum. The city is also known for its Fireworks Festival in July.
At Gora, a cable-car takes tourists up the forested mountainside with spectacular views on all sides.

HIROSHIMA

This city is home to the Hiroshima Museum and Peace Park. The events of war and the dropping of the first atomic bomb will forever be the difficult legacy of this city. The issues of war and their human toll are documented in the extraordinary Hiroshima Museum. The Peace Park, itself, and the Peace Bell are dedicated to the idea that mankind can redeem itself.
Because of the human toll, the city will be forever in the shadow of that difficult moment in history. The Hiroshima Peace Museum is built next to a large domed building which still lies in ruins from that day. It remains untouched, in its destroyed state, as a sentinel and reminder to all of us. It is an incentive for us to seriously contemplate the pursuit of peace.
HOKKAIDO

Hokkaido is near the Asahidake Volcano, which lies at an altitude of 7,500 feet. The volcano is part of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range. This mountain is categorized as an active volcano. It is the tallest mountain in the Hokkido region.
The region is noted for “fumeroles”, which are vents or fissures in the earth which expel sulfur gases, ash and steam which resemble smoke or clouds. These clouds are escaping from huge magma pockets deep within the mountain. The white gases, thrust into the air, can be seen for miles.
If the liquid magma underneath a volcano comes into contact with ice or water, the hot magma can convert water to steam, which is injected through the underground vents.
Lava can reach a temperature of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

KAMAKURA

South of Yokohama is the coastal town of Kamakura. It is best known for its massive “Great Buddha”. This bronze statue, which is 43 feet high , once weathered a powerful tsunami in the Thirteenth Century.
Both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples populate this lush forested region.

MIYAJIMA

The port of Miyajima is famous for its striking red Torii Gate. It is the symbol of the Shinto shrine just offshore. The stunning red gates appear to float on the water at high tide. The island is only accessible by ferry from the mainland.
Spiritually, the Torii Gate in Miyajima is believed to symbolize the coming together of heaven above and the earth below.
KYOTO

The city of Kyoto is located on Honshu Island, and was once the ancient imperial capital of Japan. Today, almost two million people live here. The elegant Golden Pavilion is only one of the many shrines in the city.

Temple of the Golden Pavilion

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto is one of the city’s most stunning places. It rests in an enchanting area of lake and forests. The bright yellow temple originated in the fourteenth century. On the premises, there are several relics of the Buddha, including some of the Buddha’s ashes.
In 1950, in the middle of the night, a young monk deliberately set fire to the structure. The temple was extensively renovated in 1955 after the severe fire damage. After the fire incident, the structure was completely restored by Maharaja Sing. It was during this renovation that 24-karat gold leaf was used to adorn the exterior of the two upper levels of the temple. A bronze phoenix sits atop the restored building. It symbolizes the sacred bird which rose from its ashes.
The Zen Buddhist temple is elevated, in three levels, over a pond. The shrine in this idyllic setting is called “Kinkaku-Ji”. Visitors can reach this shrine by bullet train from Tokyo.

Kiyomizo-dera Temple

The Kiyomizo-dera Temple in eastern Kyoto is actually a complex of several buildings and sacred shrines. It dates from the Eighth Century, and is dedicated to the female deity “Kannon”. Legend says that a monk named Shonin had a vision directing him to build here next to a nearby waterfall. The temple’s name means “Temple of Clear Water”. In this place, the Otowa Waterfall flows into a clear spring pond. It is believed to have healing powers.
The Deva Gate is the ornate entry into this complex of buildings. Nearby, is a three-story pagoda. It is one of the tallest pagodas in this region at 102 feet in height. It was built in 1633. Nearby is an image of a dragon which represents the “god of water.” Also nearby is the world-famous Bamboo Grove, with a road leading through a forest of giant bamboo. The plants are so thick and so high that the pathway almost obscures the sun.
KANAZAWA

There is a park at Kanazawa near the Sea of Japan. Kanazawa is a tourist haven for shops, temples, museums and quaint eateries. It is known for its stone lanterns, gardens, bridges and ponds.
Kanazawa is the capital of the Ishikawa province on Japan’s Honshu Island. The ancient Kanazawa castle dates back to the sixteenth century. There are eight universities in this region.
Kenrokuen is a large botanical garden popular with tourists. Tourists flock to the Samurai District in spring. The cherry blossom trees line the roads a