Chuzenji temple and leaves (nikko, japan)

Posted by timothy sullivan (Tokyo, Japan) on 7 November 2007 in Architecture.

i have always found Japanese temples and shrines to take a more minimalistic approach toward adornment. whereas in the west we tend to construct cathedrals to touch the clouds, or fashion ornate patterns and scenes out of multi-colored glass, the Japanese tend to simple. let the temple be part of nature; let the voice of nature speak for the temple. thus, the beautiful gardens surrounding each temple harness their colors as voices and sing with their seasonal rainbows: the deep greens of moss and well-cultured evergreens; the vibrant pinks and bass violets of peach, plum and cherry blossoms; the harmonic blues and purples of hydrangeas.

each floral variety has been timed, so that when one color wanes, another waxes--and each temple's surroundings become a rhythm. musical. poetry.

and scent. every temple in japan has its own perfume-- the delicate lilting note in the air; that aura, that unforgettable mixture of flora, loam and incense that gives you pause.

burning the hillsides with their crimson flame like daylight daimonji-yaki, autumn leaves adorn Chuzenji temple. the wind stirs them gently, swaying like the smoke of incense sticks.

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