Temple in Japan

That's another card which I've got from Japan.

On the eastern side of the Itsukushima Shrine is the 27.6-meter tall Goju-no-to, a five-story pagoda that stands next to the Senjokaku (literally "hall of 1,000 tatami mats"). It is said that this pagoda was built in 1407. Its architectural style is a skillful combination of Japanese and Chinese features. Its warped cypress-bark roofing is Chinese style while the wooden door at the entrance is Japanese. Although visitors cannot go inside the pagoda, they still can enjoy the richly-colored Buddhist drawings on its walls and the magnificent gold decorative paintings on the upper part of its pillar. Although an ordinary five-story pagoda usually has a central pillar from its base all the way to the top, this one is made in an extremely rare style because its pillar stops at the second level.

Both this pagoda and the next-door Senjokaku have been designated as important cultural assets. Indeed, its elegantly curved roof and vivid vermilion color create a beautiful silhouette that stands out strikingly among the other features of the cityscape (from)

Postcard from Bali

This postcard I received from my dearest friend who lives in Indonesia. Thank you my dear Corryn.

Besakih Temple is the biggest Hindu temple in Bali which the local people call Pura Besakih. It owns beautiful view from the top of temple area where we can see the wide nature panorama until to the ocean so that way this temple is many visited by tourists from all over the world. Besakih Temple is located in Besakih countryside, Rendang sub district, Karangasem regency, east part of the island. It is located in southwest side bevel of mount Agung, the biggest mounts in Bali. It is because pursuant to Agung Mount confidence is holiest and highest mount in Bali Island (from here)

The temple is actually a complex made up of twenty-two temples that sit on parallel ridges. It has stepped terraces and flights of stairs which ascend to a number of courtyards and brick gateways that lead up to the main spire Meru structure, which is called Pura Penataran Agung. All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual upward and closer to the mountain which is considered sacred.

The symbolic center or main sanctuary of the complex is the Pura Penataran Agung and and the lotus throne or padmasana is the symbolic center of the main sanctuary and ritual focus of the entire complex. It dates to around the seventeenth century.

A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people also threatened Puru Besakih. The lava flows missed the temple complex by mere meters. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous, and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected (from here)

Maiko

I received this postcard from Shiho.

Maiko it is a term which describe a geisha – apprentice from Kioto.

Maiko originated from women who served green tea and Dango (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour) to people who visited the Kitano Tenman-gū or Yasaka Shrine (these are the two of the famous shrines in Kyoto) at teahouses in the temple town about 300 years ago. At first, women served only green tea and dango, but they gradually started to perform songs and dances for the visitors.

Maiko is the young girl, who are preparing to being geisha through learning by observation. Maiko are usually aged 15 to 20 years old and become geiko after learning how to dance (a kind of Japanese traditional dance), play the shamisen, and learning Kyō-kotoba (dialect of Kyoto), regardless of their origins.

Maiko’s kimono is more colorful. Arms are huge and they are touching ground. Also she wears high boots buskin okobo and loosely called dissolved obi belt.

Maiko’s hairstyle is called nihon-gami (Japanese traditional hairstyle from Edo period.) They arrange their hairstyle with their own hair. Maiko put kanzashi (Japanese traditional hair accessories) on their hair with seasonal flowers. The hairstyle changes by the years of experience they have.

Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese instrument) for visitors at a feast.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

My first postcard from Thailand:)

I have got this postcard from Rawiwan. She lives in Ayutthaya. She told me that Thailand also is know as land of Siam Smile. Her city was old capital of Thailand but currently Bangkok is the capital of country. 

The city was founded in 1350 by King U Thong, who went there to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lop Buri and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya kingdom or Siam. It is estimated that Ayutthaya by the year 1600 CE had a population of about 300,000, with the population perhaps reaching 1,000,000 around 1700 CE, making it one of the world’s largest cities at that time. The ruins of the old city now form theAyutthaya historical park, which is recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was refounded a few kilometers to the east. The city is sometimes called „Venice of the East”.

This is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, outside Ayutthaya island. It is one of Ayutthaya’s most well known temples and a major tourist attraction.

The Wat Chaiwatthanaram structure reflects the Buddhist world view, as it is described already in the Traiphum Phra Ruang, the “three worlds of the King Ruang”, of the 14th century: The big "Prang Prathan" that stands in the centre symbolizes the mountain Meru (Thai: เขาพระสุเมรุ - Khao Phra Sumen), which consists the central axis of the traditional world (Kamaphum - กามภูมิ). Around it lie the four continents (the four small Prangs) that swim in the four directions in the world sea (นทีสีทันดร). On one of the continents, the Chomphutawip (ชมพูทวีป), the humans live. The rectangular passage is the outer border of the world, the "Iron Mountains" (กำแพงจักรวาล).

Kegon Falls

This postcard came to me from Japan.

Kegon Fallus are located at Lake Chūzenji - (source of the Oshiri River) in Nikkō National Park in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The falls were formed when the Daiya River was rerouted by lava flows. About twelve smaller waterfalls are situated behind and to the sides of Kegon Falls, leaking through the many cracks between the mountain and the lava flows.

There are 48 waterfalls in Nikko, but Kegon waterfall is the most famous among these. The water falls from 97 meters high and you will enjoy natural beauty around the fall. Nachi waterfall in Wakayama prefecture, Fukuroda waterfall in Ibaragi prefecture and Kegon waterfall in Nikko are known as the finest three waterfalls of Japan. The name of the Kegon was derived from a part of Buddhist sutra. By the way, names of Nehan waterfall and Hannya waterfall also were derived from the Buddhist sutra.

In the autumn, the traffic on the road from Nikko to Chūzenji can sometimes slow to a crawl as visitors come to see the fall colors.

The Kegon Falls are infamous for suicides, especially among Japanese youth.

Storm Mountain - Arashiyama

This time I will show you my postcards which I found in the envelop with the letter which came to me from Japan.

Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto (Japan). It also refers to the mountain across the Ōi River, which forms a backdrop to the district.

Hozu River - Shooting the Rapids

The Hozu River is a part of Katsura River in Kyoto Prefecture. The river begins in the mountains near Kameoka, a town northwest of Kyoto City. It snakes into the Arashiyama section of western Kyoto before changing its name to Katsura River.

The Hozu River is considered scenic, and is known primarily for its association with Hozugawa Kudari, literally “down the Hozu river”, a sightseeing whitewater boat that goes downstream from Kameoka to Arashiyama. Hozugawa Kudari is especially popular in the fall, when the Japanese Maple leaves change colors, and in the Spring, when the sakura, or Japanese cherry tree, blooms. The trip usually takes about two hours.

The Togetsukyō - bridge in Autumn

The Togetsukyō is a bridge across the river. The river shown in the photograph changes names on either side of this bridge. West of the bridge it is the Hozu River and east of the bridge it is the Katsura River. It is the symbol of Arashiyama area, the beautiful sight of this bridge has been taken up by many a poet. In days of antiquity, boating here was an eloquent pastime for the aristocracy. 

国立中正纪念堂 - Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The Republic of China, commonly known as „Taiwan”, is a state located in East Asia. The Republic of China - ROC - governs the island of Taiwan, which forms 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor islands. It is the oldest surviving republic in East Asia. Neighboring states include the People’s Republic of China - PRC, 160 km to the west, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. Its capital city is Taipei. 

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a famous monument erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. It is located in Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan).Chiang Kai-shek (October 31, 1887 – April 5, 1975) was a political and military leader of XX century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin.

The monument, surrounded by a park, stands at the east end of Memorial Hall Square. The structure is framed on the north and south by the National Theater and National Concert Hall. The entire plaza is located within sight of the Presidential Office Building.

Memorial Hall is white with four sides. The octagonal roof rises 76 metres above the ground and is covered with blue glazed tiles. The blue and white colors of the building and the red colour of the flowerbeds echo the colours in the flag of the Republic of China. The octagonal shape picks up the symbolism of the number 8, a number traditionally associated in Asia with abundance and good fortune.

The construction site occupies an area of 250,000 square meters. In addition to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Opera House, and the National Concert Hall were built on the same site. The construction of the Hall fell into two phases. During the first phase, the main body of the Hall, gardens, pavilions, verandah, and other related sites were built. For the second phase, the National Opera House, National Concert Hall, and an underground parking lot were completed in 1987.

The underlying concepts of the design:

1. To express the spirit of Chinese culture

2. An innovative design in a unique and grand style

3. The utilization of modern construction technology, with emphasis on economy and practical use. The color of the blue sky and white sun symbolize freedom and equality.

Two sets of white stairs, each with 89 steps to represent Chiang’s age at the time of his death, lead to the main entrance. The main entrance features a pair of double doors, each standing 16 meters high and weighing 75 tons, that open into the main hall. A large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek dominates the main hall. The figure is shown smiling, seated and wearing traditional Chinese dress. Inscribed on the wall above and behind the seated figure are the Chinese characters for “Ethics, Democracy, and Science”. Inscriptions on the side walls read “The purpose of life is to improve the general life of humanity” and “The meaning of life is to create and sustain subsequent lives in the universe”. An elaborate caisson is set into the ceiling, decorated with the emblem of the Kuomintang. Representatives of the armed forces guard the main hall during its open hours. The branch of service represented changes periodically according to a rotating schedule.

The ground level of the memorial houses a library and museum documenting Chiang Kai-shek's life and career and exhibits related to Taiwan's history and development.

The Memorial Hall is built upon three stories of broad and solid foundations that symbolize „Jhung Jheng” (impartial and righteous). The octagonal roof design creates many „ren” (Man), motifs on the very top, symbolizing the “unification of Man and Heaven.” The roof is fashioned in the form of the Altar to Heaven and covered with blue glazed tiles, reflecting the sunlight. The apex of the roof is gold in color and culminates the upsurge glory None of the other materials, such as the white marble, red cypress ceiling, and light red granite floor, have been tinted with artificial colors,thereby imparting a feeling of sacredness, solemnity, hospitality, and peace.

This postcard traveled to me for 46 days. It comes from Taiwan, and it was sent by Yi-Jheng Li.