Our next stop of the day was Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. It is so named because the top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf.
The first floor is built in the Shinden style used for palace buildings during the Heian Period,
and with its natural wood pillars and white plaster walls contrasts yet
complements the gilded upper stories of the pavilion. Statues of the
Shaka Buddha (historical Buddha) and Yoshimitsu are stored in the first
floor. Although it is not possible to enter the pavilion, the statues
can be viewed from across the pond if you look closely, as the front
windows of the first floor are usually kept open.
The second floor is built in the Bukke style used in samurai
residences, and has its exterior completely covered in gold leaf.
Inside is a seated Kannon Bodhisattva surrounded by statues of the Four
Heavenly Kings; however, the statues are not shown to the public.
Finally, the third and uppermost floor is built in the style of a
Chinese Zen Hall, is gilded inside and out, and is capped with a golden
phoenix.
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| Funny story about this picture. Kiyoshi-San was trying to get a picture of us and a Chinese woman kept creeping closer to Emily. The person she was with was taking a picture of her, and she wanted to get Emily in her shot with her. When I went next to Emily, she wanted to get both of us in. It was really weird and creepy. |
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| Coin toss--throw coins at the statues for luck |
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| The tea garden. We sit on top of the table, have tea and eat the sugared treat |
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| Those are real gold flakes in the treat |
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| A purification fountain |
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| Emily on the bus to our next destination! |
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