This is an authorized translation in English of a post in French by @japon: Sanjusangen-do, le temple aux mille et une statues
As my primary language is not English, there are probably some mistakes in my translation.
Remember that the person that speaks here is NOT me, Vincent Celier (@vcelier), but @japon, a French guy.
The sun is back. Well, at least there are some sunny intervals. With my friend Patrick we meet for a day of visit. First stop of the day: the Sanjūsangen-dō Temple, which is famous for its very long wooden building which houses 1001 statues of the goddess Kannon, the goddess of compassion.
The temple is quite close to my ryokan, I arrive a little early, I decide to look around. I notice a shrine: the Toyokuni-jinja. From the entrance, the tone is marked with this big torii and its alleys of wooden lanterns painted red.
This sanctuary, which is clearly outside the classical tourist circuits, is a nice surprise, but I have to go back to Patrick.
The Sanjūsangen-dō temple is surrounded by large earthen walls; as soon as one enters the enclosure, one is cut off from the rest of the world. No more noise. In front of us, a garden and this huge wooden building 120 metres long. The name of the place literally means "33 intervals", in relation to the number of columns on the building.
We go inside after removing our shoes. We enter a corridor dark enough. On the floor tatami mats, dark wood walls and small panels covered with Washi paper that let in a dim light.
It is necessary to go along this corridor, because it is on the other side that lies the treasure. The statues are placed in 10 rows. 500 statues on one side, 500 statues on the other, and in the center a huge statue of the goddess Kannon.
There are also about thirty other statues representing the servants of the goddess. The photos are forbidden inside, and I just managed to take one from the end of the room.
The show is difficult to describe in words. There is a very special atmosphere, very dark, we are gradually put in the mood with the corridor that leads us. Each statue is cut in one piece in cypress wood and covered with gold leaf.
We come out with these images of statues in the head. It's a show to be discovered and that changes radically compared to what we see in other temples of Kyoto.
The gardens are also beautiful, organized around a beautiful pond with its well-cut trees, rocks, lanterns. Around the garden, buildings painted in red frame everything.
A beautiful place in which it is nice to stay. The sun is coming back gradually. The typhoon is definitely gone and the wind has chased away all the clouds. Our next destination is the great Fushimi Shrine. We decide to go on foot, it will be a good opportunity to discover Kyoto more in depth.
-- @japon
01: Travel diary in Japan, by @japon
02: Tokyo, overcrowded city? Really? by @japon
03: Are the Japanese too disciplined? by @japon
04: Going to Japan without speaking Japanese? by @japon
05: Ueno, more than just a big park in Tokyo, by @japon
06: Asakusa, diving in the heart of Tokyo's historic district, by @japon
07: Ameyoko, Ueno's colorful market, by @japon
08: Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world, by @japon
09: Climb the steps of Atago Jinja Shrine in Tokyo, by @japon
10: Hama Rikyu, an exceptional park in the heart of Tokyo, by @japon
11: Jimbocho, old books and tempura, by @japon
12: Shinjuku Gyoen Park and the best burger in the world!, by @japon
13: One night in Shibuya, by @japon
14: Takeshita dori : this little street dedicated to fashion (and good crepes), by @japon
15: They lie to you about Kyoto, by @japon
16: The temples and secret garden of Higashi in Kyoto, by @japon
17: Kinkaku-ji, the temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon
18: Ryoan-ji, the amazing stone garden in Kyoto, by @japon
19: The Ninna-ji Temple and its extraordinary gardens, by @japon
20: Kyoto Gyoen, the Imperial Palace Park, by @japon
21: Nishiki Market: A Must in Kyoto, by @japon
22: Ginkaku-ji, the temple of the silver pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon
23: Meditate on the path of philosophy, by @japon
24: Nanzen-ji, its impressive gate and two gardens, by @japon
25: Heian-jinju: the big shrine and its garden that I almost missed, by @japon
26: Eikan-do, the temple of the momiji maples in Kyoto, by @japon
27: Kodai-ji, a Kyoto temple dedicated to a woman's love for her husband, by @japon
28: Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, the streets of Higashiyama, by @japon
29: Kiyomizu-dera, the temple of pure water in Kyoto, by @japon
30: Tofuku-ji: the maple lookout point, by @japon
31: Makis, Yasaka-jinja Shrine and Maruyama Park, by @japon
32: Nijo Castle and its fabulous garden, by @japon
33:Departure for Osaka and its castle, and announcement of a typhoon, by @japon
34: Osaka, the garden Keitaku-en under a torrential rain, by @japon
35: Doguya-suji, the kitchen market in Osaka, by @japon
36: Dōtonbori, the bustling district of Osaka, by @japon
37: Back to Kyoto and Typhoons, meetings and reunions, by @japon