Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Kosan-Ji. The architecture,,,

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Kosan-Ji temple on Ikuchijima is probably the most unique and unusual temple in Japan.

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The temple complex is composed of many "copies" of the most famous examples of temple architecture from throughout Japan.

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They are built at a slightly reduced scale from the originals, but have been "improved" and embellished with intricate carvings and color schemes that bear no connection to the originals.
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Gaudy is certainly a word that could be applied, and perhaps Kitsch, though there is no concept of kitsch in Japan.

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Thye temple officially belongs to the True Pure Land sect, but actually has no congregation. It was built by Kanemoto Kozo for his dead mother, to ensure her passage to paradise.

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A large chunk of his fortune has gone into the building of Kosan-Ji, but with an entrance fee of 1,500 yen times the millions of visitors the temple has received over the years, it is probably making a profit now.

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5 comments:

  1. llewellynNovember 18, 2009 at 3:20 PM

    I thought after 4 trips to Japan to see castles and temples ,I'd have seen enough, but this place is outrageous.Now all I have to do is book a flight.By the way ,great photos.

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  2. OjisanjakeNovember 18, 2009 at 4:27 PM

    "outrageous".... thats a good description :)

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  3. LexiNovember 18, 2009 at 5:54 PM

    For a country that doesn't know kitsch, they seem to have it often enough...

    Great pictures, though!

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  4. administratorNovember 19, 2009 at 2:46 AM

    a good gallery blog. Japan is so beautifull,unfortunately I've never been to Japan,, I am eager to walk into Japan,, want to learn the Japanese culture that has a spirit and a good work ethic

    Thanks
    Online and Offline Business Tips

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  5. justgotspaidNovember 20, 2009 at 2:57 AM

    I love it. It doesn't even look like Japan. Nice find. The sky in the top picture is just amazing, wow.

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