Ten images from Japan plus ten more images

[David Paterson]

What does the symbol stand for btw? My guess would be "shelter" or "home".

I also wondered if that might be the meaning but my wife tells me that the character "kin" means gold, or money.

[David Paterson]

1)  - three girls in Kamakura make fun of an old man
2) and 3)  - Priests and musicians at a traditional wedding
7) to 10)  - Chinese tourists and others in Asakusa, Tokyo

[Akira]

For some reason, I totally missed this thread.  Glad to know you had a great time in Japan, Dave!

The Chinese letter whose meaning Jan asked about, is indeed gold, but this particular font is a little simplified from the standard one which is like this:

金

[Almass]

For some reason, I totally missed this thread.  Glad to know you had a great time in Japan, Dave!

The Chinese letter whose meaning Jan asked about, is indeed gold, but this particular font is a little simplified from the standard one which is like this:

金

Why is the sitting Budha has crosseyes/blind?

[Akira]

Why is the sitting Budha has crosseyes/blind?

The cross-eye often symbolizes the spiritual power to smash the evil away.  So, people would pray in front of this statue to wish their deseases (which were considered to be caused by the evil) to heal.

However, this particular statue looks different from the "typical" healing Buddha which is the translation of Yakushi-nyorai or Baisajya-guru.  It might be simply called that way because of its answered prayer.

I would expect Dave to chime in to tell us exactly where he took the picture of the statue.

[David Paterson]

Why is the sitting Budha has crosseyes/blind?

I think Fons Baerken gave the best answer you are likely to get -
 "Monk in contemplation, gaze fixed but not seeing ordinarily."

Akira - I had a great time and will be working on the images from this trip for a long, long time.

Later. Wrong again - thanks for all that knowledge, Akira. But I will have to look at my notes to be sure where it was; Kamakura, certainly, but which temple?

[Akira]

Later. Wrong again - thanks for all that knowledge, Akira. But I will have to look at my notes to be sure where it was; Kamakura, certainly, but which temple?

No worries, Dave.  Please take your time and let the notification function of the website do its job.

[David Paterson]

I would expect Dave to chime in to tell us exactly where he took the picture of the statue.

Kenchoji. I thought so but had to look at my notes to be certain. (To explain to non-Japanese members - Kenchoji temple in Kamakura is one of the foremost Zen temples in Japan, and one of the oldest.)

[Akira]

Dave, thank you for the details.  Yes, you shot the statue in Kenchoji shrine.

This is the statue of Pindola Bharadvaja.  PB is one of the prominent Arhats of Buddha:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pindola_Bharadvaja

In Japan, PB is called "O-binzuru-san" or "-sama" (both the prefix and the suffixes are honorifics) and believed to heal various deseases and wounds when one strokes the statue on the part one wants to be healed.  For example, if you have a problem in your right shoulder, you stroke the right shoulder of O-binzuru-sama.  Please don't ask me what to do if you have problems in your feet.    For what is worth, "binzuru" is a phonetic translation of "Bharadvaja" into Japanese, and written "賓頭廬" in Chinese letters.

This image is picked up from the web and not mine.  The statue is located right under the main gate of Kenchoji.  The main gate is designated as a nationally important cultural property.  The white and the wooden plates explaines that he is a disciple of Buddha and his miracle power to heal.  The first two Chinese letters for "binzuru" can be seen on the wooden plate.

[David Paterson]

I wonder when that image was made - the statue now looks very much more worn from constant touching and rubbing. I needed to rub quite a few its of him myself.   

[Akira]

Dave, indeed the statue looks much more worn in your image.  I wonder if they would need to repaint the statue.  Wish your problems will at least be eased...

[Anirban Halder]

People shots are incredibly beautiful, Dave!

[David Paterson]

Thanks Anirban. I like to photograph happy-looking people when I get the chance.

[Mikes]

 I missed this thread, too - distracted by other things. My loss - they are a lovely collection of diverse images, Dave, and a little different from your previous Japan images.

I particularly like the elegant simplicity and colours of #1 (especially with a boost in contrast) and #2. I like the atmosphere conveyed in #7. You seem to have seen a bit of snow on the trip.

The cross-eyed healing Buddha is interesting, more so close up. Judging by his worn out looks, he has been pretty busy.

[David Paterson]

I missed this thread, too - distracted by other things. My loss - they are a lovely collection of diverse images, Dave, and a little different from your previous Japan images.

Good to hear from you, Mike, and thanks for the kind comments. It was a very productive trip, in the end, and very enjoyable too - and that definitely includes meeting up with you and Akira again. I hope we three can meet again in Tokyo.

Have a great Christmas and the best of everything in the New Year.