Chishaku-in

– Chishaku-in– 智積院 – Kyoto (京都) – June 17, 2017   Chishaku-in was the last place we visited before the iaido taikai banquet. It’s a Buddhist temple in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto. It was built in the 1500’s and is famous for its beautiful garden and also its collection of painted panels. Sadly, we were tired and mostly just enjoyed the garden after visiting the temple. Next year I’ll go look at the panels. This goshuin is in my Inuyama Castle Goshuincho. Location

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Sanjusangendo

– Sanjusangendo– 三十三間堂 – Kyoto (京都) – June 17, 2017 Sanjusangendo is a 120 meter long temple in Kyoto that was built in 1164. Why is it so long? Because inside it has 1001 statues of Kannon. They’re all a bit taller than an adult man. In the middle of the building sits a large and intricate statue of Kannon. Sanjusangendo means “33 Spaces,” referring to the 33 spaces that between the columns in the building. It is the longest wooden building in Japan. It is located in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto. I was staying at Hotel Tozankaku for…

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Toyokuni Shrine

Toyokuni Shrine Goshuin

– Toyokuni Jinja – 豊国神社 – Kyoto (京都) – June 17, 2017   Toyokuni Shrine was built in Kyoto in 1599 to commemorate Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It’s a shrine in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto. It houses the blade Honebami, a blade that was once a naginata blade but later became a wakizashi. It has also been made into a character in a game called Touken Ranbu. I play Touken Ranbu, so I was excited about visiting one of the swords for the first time. There are also various goods available at the shrine with Honebami on them. I was in…

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