| KYOTO |
~1987~ Tokyo - October 1987 Kyoto - October 1987 Hong Kong - October 1987 My Overseas Travel My Local Travel My Reflection |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Kyoto, known as Heiankyo and Miyako in the medieval period, was founded in 793. Like previous Japanese capitals, it was originally laid out in a grid pattern derived from China. Civil wars, especially that between the Taira and Minamoto clans in the 12th century and the nin war (146777), caused great destruction in the capital, and it has been periodically ravaged by fire, most recently in 1864, when almost 80 of the city was laid waste. Although the shogunate was at times based elsewhere, Kyoto remained the seat of the imperial court until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, and is still a major cultural centre. |
| The Imperial Capital of Japan for a thousand years until it moved to Tokyo in the 19th century, Kyoto is a beautiful city if you can ignore the modern centre. Walking the quiet back streets is fascinating, there's an ancient temple or walled garden around every corner and even a few Maiko - ornately dressed young Geisha - around the Gion and Pontocho districts in the evenings. |
| All You who Sleep Tonight All you who sleep tonight Far from the ones you love, No hand to left or right And emptiness above - Know that you aren't alone The whole world shares your tears, Some for two nights or one, And some for all their years. -- Vikram Seth |
|
| The city's more than 2,000 temples and shrines include T-ji (1380), Kiyomizu-dera (1633), Ryan-ji with its 15th-century Zen rock and sand garden, Sanjusangendo (1266), and the former Ashikaga shoguns' villas Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji (the gold and silver pavilions). Other features are the Gion teahouse district with traditional geishas, the silk-weavers' district of Nishijin, 17th-century sake warehouses in Fushimi, Momoyama castle, and Japan's oldest theatre, the Minamiza kabuki theatre (early 17th century). Kyoto is the birthplace of such drama forms as No, Kyogen, and Kabuki and is a national centre for the tea ceremony and flower arranging (ikebana).The Gion festival is held in July. |
| If you wish to leave your comments please post it at My Reflection Copyright 2007, musmun.blogspot.com |