Toji Temple is one of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was founded in the 700s, when the capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto. The five story pagoda was originally built in 826. It stands 57 meters tall and is the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan. There are 19 statues in Kondo Hall (which you are not permitted to take pictures of), imported from China by the head priest of Toji and the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Luckily pictures of lotus flowers were not forbidden. They are so gorgeous, especially when it is raining and the lotus leaves fill and pour their contents into the leaves below, cascading down like a whimsical Rube Goldberg machine.
I remember the 5 roofed temple- it was spectacular. But I don’t remember the statues…
I tend to do more research after I see something than before. I didn’t understand the significance of the statues until later. It was all in Japanese.
We went with our Temecula Sister City Association to Japan in 2004. The Toji Temple was on our tour as well. What beauty. We didn’t pay attention to the lotus because the cherry blossoms were in bloom. Your trip has brought back such fond memories of a trip almost 20 years ago. Wow. Gorgeous blog post.