Atelier: Dennis Cordell

Photographer Dennis Cordell specializes in portraiture, in particular portraits of Buddhist monks and other spiritual contemplatives in Asia. In July the NK Gallery in Boston will host an exhibit of his hauntingly beautiful photos, with profits going to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in south India, one of the poorest of the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in exile. See more of Dennis's lovely work here.

Sokenji Temple

摠見寺

Sokenji Temple, in Shiga Prefecture, was incorporated into Oda Nobunaga's grandiose Azuchi Castle, and actually pre-dated the castle, which was completed in 1579.

Located near the shores of Lake Biwa, the original three-storey pagoda was built in 1554 and is believed to have been moved from Chojuji Temple in Koga (甲賀, Koka) to its present location.

Sokenji Temple escaped the fires that ravaged and destroyed Azuchi Castle in 1582. After Nobunaga's death at Honnoji Temple in Kyoto at the hands of the traitor Akechi Mitsuhide, his second son Nobukatsu clashed with Akechi's retainers and during the subsequent skirmish between the two sides the great seven-storey tenshu (keep) of Azuchi Castle was burnt to the ground.

The temple belongs to the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and is a 30-minute walk from Azuchi Station on the JR Biwako Line.

There is also a Sokenji Temple in Nagoya city in Osu Kannon.

Map of Sokenji Temple at Azuchi Castle

© JapanVisitor.com


Like this blog? Sign up for the JapanVisitor newsletter

Yahoo Japan Auction Service
Japanese Friends
Tokyo Apartments Search
Japan Job Search
Rough Guide To Japan

Tags
Japan temple
Azuchi Castle
Oda Nobunaga
Shiga
Japanese History

Mizuko Jizo

Small mizu-ko statuettes are ubiquitous in Japanese temples. Literally "water child" the graves are those of stillborn, miscarried or aborted children.

The statues of mizuko Jizo are often clad in red bibs and hats. mizuko kuyo (水子供養) is the memorial service held annually for the child when offerings are made to Jizo, a boddhisattva who protects children. Abortion in Japan has been legal since the Eugenic Protection Law of 1948.

© JapanVisitor.com

Yahoo Japan Auction Service
Japanese Friends
Tokyo Apartments Search
Japan Job Search
Rough Guide To Japan
Tags
Buddhism
Jizo
Mizuko
Japanese Law

Higan-bana Lycoris

彼岸花

This time of year sees the spectacular flowering of the higan-bana. Higan is a period of Buddhist reflection around the time of the autumn equinox and the flowers take their name from this.

Higan-bana or Lycoris often grow at the sides of rice fields as the bulbs are poisonous and deter pests. Chinese and Japanese Buddhist tradition has the flowers also grow in hell, the bright red blooms guiding souls into the next incarnation. Thus the flowers may be seen at Japanese funerals and are not therefore used in bouquets.

© JapanVisitor.com

Yahoo Japan Auction Service
Japanese Friends
Tokyo Apartments Search
Japan Job Search
Rough Guide To Japan
Tags
Japan Plants
Japanese Buddhism

Fukurokuju

福禄寿

Fukurokuju is one of the seven lucky gods called Shichifukujin, that can be seen in temples throughout Japan.

Fukurokuju originated in China and is generally depicted in the garments of ancient Chinese scholars with a long white beard. His head takes up nearly half his height and so it is no surprise that Fukurokuju is the patron deity of chess players and scientists. More surprisingly Fukurokuju is also the go-to demi-god for athletes, gardeners, jewelers, magicians and miners. Fukurokuju symbolizes wealth, happiness and longevity.

Alone among the Shichifukujin, Fukurokuju is credited with being able to raise the dead.

The images of Fukurokuju were taken at Sekizanzenin Temple in north eastern Kyoto at the foot of Mt. Hiei.

© JapanVisitor.com

Yahoo Japan Auction Service
Japanese Friends
Japan Job Search
Rough Guide To Japan
Tags
Fukurokuju
Shichifukujin
Kyoto
Japanese Religion