of darkness and dreams
Taking another look at the five-storied pagoda 五重塔 of Kōfuku-ji 興福寺 and appreciating the details in its design.
It's a marvel.
snack time
It's probably fair to say that many tourists come to Nara 奈良市 because of its population of friendly deer, knowing little or nothing of the city's amazing architecture or history. I'd hope, though, that once they get there they discover the rest. It would be entirely possible, for example, to visit just the main park and see the deer, walk around a bit, notice the perimeter walls of Tōdai-ji 東大寺 but never realise what's inside. More on that later.
The deer, called sika deer ニホンジカ (or 日本鹿, literally “Japan deer”), are undoubtedly an integral part of the aesthetic though, and add a lot of fun to the city as well!
Above, one smartly waits next to a vendor selling deer crackers.
irradiance
Walking around further, I was caught again by the sight of the five-storied pagoda 五重塔 of Kōfuku-ji 興福寺, towering in a way that appears to defy physics. The current pagoda was constructed in 1426 and seems to have vibrated through time itself to today, slipping past the rest of the world.
waiting for snow
In front of the Central Golden Hall 中金堂 in the shade, a small group painted the beautiful view of the five-storied pagoda 五重塔 – a designated National Treasure – rising behind the cherry trees.
I loved the stillness of this place and the way the fallen petals had started to accumulate like a dusting of snow.