Steve's Genealogy Blog

Hōjūjidono and Sanjūsangen-dō in Kyōto, Japan

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Steve

The Hōjūjidono in the Higashiyama district of Kyōto, Japan was the home of the Cloistered Emperor Shirakawa II, and Sanjūsangen-d is a Buddhist temple on the site, originally built in 1164 for Emperor Shirakawa.

Sanjūsangen-dō is famous for its long hondō (main hall) containing 1001 sculptures of standing Thousand-armed Kannon. Sculptures also include 28 standing attendants, a statue of Fūjin (Japanese god of the wind), a statue of Raijin (Japanese god of thunder), and a huge seated statue of Thousand-armed Kannon. Visitors were asked not to take photographs inside the temple, and so I have no pictures of these incredible sculptures.

**Hōjūji Palace Sign**
SOURCE: Hōjūji Palace Sign (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Hōjūji Palace Gardens - 1 — **Hōjūji Palace Gardens – 1**
SOURCE: Hōjūji Palace Gardens – 1 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Hōjūji Palace Gardens - 2 — **Hōjūji Palace Gardens – 2**
SOURCE: Hōjūji Palace Gardens – 2 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

**Sanjūsangen-dō Temple**
SOURCE: Sanjūsangen-dō Temple (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

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Gardens and Interiors of Nijō Castle in Kyōto, Japan

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Steve

Nijō Castle is located in Kyōto, Japan was built for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shōgun, but the structure wasn’t completed until 1621, ten years after Tokugawa Ieyasu’s death. Nijō Castle did serve as the Kyōto residence for the third shōgun and the shōguns who followed.

The Ninomaru Palace is divided into several rooms for guests, for audiences with the shogun, and for the shogun‘s residence. The floors connecting the rooms where guests were allowed to linger make chirping noises when walked upon when the flooring nails scrape against the wood. Legend says that these “nightingale floors” serve to provide warning that someone is moving about the palace.

**Nijō Castle Garden**
SOURCE: Nijō Castle Garden (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Ninomaru Garden - 1 — *Ninomaru* Garden – 1
SOURCE: Ninomaru Garden – 1 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Ninomaru Garden - 2 — *Ninomaru* Garden – 2
SOURCE: Ninomaru Garden – 2 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Nijō Castle Interior - 1 — **Nijō Castle Interior – 1**
SOURCE: Nijō Castle Interior – 1 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Nijō Castle Interior - 2 — **Nijō Castle Interior – 2**
SOURCE: Nijō Castle Interior – 2 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Nijō Castle Interior - 3 — **Nijō Castle Interior – 3**
SOURCE: Nijō Castle Interior – 3 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

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Nijō Castle in Kyōto, Japan

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Steve

Nijō Castle is located in Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, on the island of Honshu, Japan. The castle is surrounded by an outer fortification and a moat. Modern-day visitors pass through the Higashi-Ōte-mon (the Great Eastern Gate), pass by the Guard House, and approach the Karamon Gate to the Ninomaru Palace.

The hanging bells shown in one of the photos below were used to alert the populace of fires or other emergencies. The shisa or guardian lion, also shown in one of the photos below, is a protector from evil.

Higashi-Ōte-mon (Great Eastern Gate) of Nijō Castle — *Higashi-Ōte-mon* (Great Eastern Gate) of Nijō Castle
SOURCE: *Higashi-Ōte-mon* (Great Eastern Gate) of Nijō Castle (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

**Gabels of Nijō Castle Guardhouse**
SOURCE: Gabels of Nijō Castle Guardhouse (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Karamon Gate to the Ninomaru Palace of Nijō Castle — **Karamon** **Gate to the** **Ninomaru** **Palace of Nijō Castle**
SOURCE: *Karamon* Gate to the *Ninomaru* Palace of Nijō Castle (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Ninomaru Palace in Nijō Castle — **Ninomaru** **Palace in Nijō Castle**
SOURCE: *Ninomaru* Palace in Nijō Castle (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

**Hanging Bells in Nijō Castle**
SOURCE: Hanging Bells in Nijō Castle (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Shisa (Guardian Lion) on Roof in Nijō Castle — *Shisa* (Guardian Lion) on Roof in Nijō Castle
SOURCE: *Shisa* (Guardian Lion) on Roof in Nijō Castle (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

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Sights in Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) in Kyōto, Japan

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Steve

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, Temple of the Golden Pavilion) in Kyōto, Japan includes much more than the Golden Pavilion itself. The grounds include shrines and gardens, including one very impressive Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora ‘Glauca’) that began life as a bonsai and is now an impressive tree sculpted in the shape of a ship. Held up by scaffolding, this 600-year-old tree, called Rikushū-no-matsu (陸舟の松, pine land boat) no longer really evokes the image of a ship, but the observer can still see an upright portion resembling the ship’s mast, and a more horizontal portion resembling the ship’s deck.

Rikushū-no-matsu (陸舟の松) Pine Land Boat - 1 — *Rikushū-no-matsu* (陸舟の松) Pine Land Boat – 1
SOURCE: *Rikushū-no-matsu* (陸舟の松) Pine Land Boat – 1 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Rikushū-no-matsu (陸舟の松) Pine Land Boat - 2 — *Rikushū-no-matsu* (陸舟の松) Pine Land Boat – 2
SOURCE: *Rikushū-no-matsu* (陸舟の松) Pine Land Boat – 2 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Kinkaku-ji Stairs — *Kinkaku-ji* Stairs
SOURCE: *Kinkaku-ji* Stairs (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

White Snake Pagoda at Kinkaku-ji — White Snake Pagoda at *Kinkaku-ji*
SOURCE: White Snake Pagoda at *Kinkaku-ji* (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Kinkaku-ji Woods — *Kinkaku-ji* Woods
SOURCE: *Kinkaku-ji* Woods (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Kinkaku-ji Shrine — *Kinkaku-ji* Shrine
SOURCE: *Kinkaku-ji* Shrine (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Kinkaku-ji Spring — *Kinkaku-ji* Spring
SOURCE: *Kinkaku-ji* Spring (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

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Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) in Kyōto, Japan

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Steve

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, Temple of the Golden Pavilion) is located in Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, on the island of Honshu, Japan. The site of Kinkaku-ji was purchased by shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. All the buildings except the Golden Pavilion were burned in the 15th century during the Ōnin war. The Golden Pavilion, itself, was burned down in 1950 by a novice monk, but was rebuilt in 1955 as a close replica of the original.

Kinkaku: The Golden Pavilion — *Kinkaku*: The Golden Pavilion
SOURCE: *Kinkaku*: The Golden Pavilion (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Environs of Kinkaku: The Golden Pavilion — **Environs of *Kinkaku*: The Golden Pavilion**
SOURCE: Environs of *Kinkaku*: The Golden Pavilion (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Kinkaku: The Golden Pavilion on the Water - 1 — *Kinkaku*: The Golden Pavilion on the Water – 1
SOURCE: *Kinkaku*: The Golden Pavilion on the Water – 1 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Kinkaku: The Golden Pavilion on the Water - 2 — *Kinkaku*: The Golden Pavilion on the Water – 2
SOURCE: *Kinkaku*: The Golden Pavilion on the Water – 2 (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Tree at Kinkaku-ji — Tree at *Kinkaku-ji*
SOURCE: Tree at *Kinkaku-ji* (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

Map of Kinkaku-ji — Map of *Kinkaku-ji*
SOURCE: Map of *Kinkaku-ji* (Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Honshu, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 April 2019.

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Rare Birds at Ryugado Cave in Kōchi, Japan

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Steve

At the exit to Ryugado Cave in Kōchi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan stands the Rare Bird Center. I don’t know the breeds to which these chickens belong, but they are interesting to see.

Ryugado Cave Long-Tailed Rooster - 1 — **Ryugado Cave Long-Tailed Rooster – 1**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Long-Tailed Rooster – 1 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Ryugado Cave Long-Tailed Rooster - 2 — **Ryugado Cave Long-Tailed Rooster – 2**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Long-Tailed Rooster – 2 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Ryugado Cave Rare Birds - 1 — **Ryugado Cave Rare Birds – 1**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Rare Birds – 1 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Ryugado Cave Rare Birds - 2 — **Ryugado Cave Rare Birds – 2**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Rare Birds – 2 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Ryugado Cave Rare Birds - 3 — **Ryugado Cave Rare Birds – 3**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Rare Birds – 3 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

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Special Features in Ryugado Cave in Kōchi, Japan

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Steve

Like many other caves, Ryugado Cave holds many special features, including waterfalls and named limestone formations.

**Ryugado Cave Beaded Screen Waterfall**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Beaded Screen Waterfall (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Ryugado Cave Back View Waterfall**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Back View Waterfall (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Ryugado Cave Dragon's Mouth — **Ryugado Cave Dragon’s Mouth**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Dragon’s Mouth (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Ryugado Cave Memorial Waterfall**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Memorial Waterfall (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Ryugado Cave House of the Seven Lucky Gods**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave House of the Seven Lucky Gods (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Ryugado Cave Vase of the Gods (Kami-no-Tubo)**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Vase of the Gods (Kami-no-Tubu) (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Ryugado Cave Dwelling Room**
SOURCE: Ryugado Cave Dwelling Room (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

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Inside Ryugado Cave in Kōchi, Japan

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Steve

Ryugado Cave in Kōchi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan, like other limestone caves, includes interesting rock formations, stalagmites, and stalactites.

Inside Ryugado Cave - 1 — **Inside Ryugado Cave – 1**
SOURCE: Inside Ryugado Cave – 1 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Inside Ryugado Cave - 2 — **Inside Ryugado Cave – 2**
SOURCE: Inside Ryugado Cave – 2 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Inside Ryugado Cave - 3 — **Inside Ryugado Cave – 3**
SOURCE: Inside Ryugado Cave – 3 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Inside Ryugado Cave - 4 — **Inside Ryugado Cave – 4**
SOURCE: Inside Ryugado Cave – 4 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Inside Ryugado Cave - 5 — **Inside Ryugado Cave – 5**
SOURCE: Inside Ryugado Cave – 5 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

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Ryugado Cave in Kōchi, Japan

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Steve

Ryugado Cave is located on Mount Sampo in Kōchi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan. The facility is open to the public and includes a sightseeing route (a relatively easy course, which I took) and an adventure route (with a guide through rougher areas of the caves).

In addition to the cave itself, the facility also houses a rare bird center, a museum, a gift shop, and a restaurant.

**Entrance to Ryugado Cave**
SOURCE: Entrance to Ryugado Cave (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Woods Around Ryugado Cave**
SOURCE: Woods Around Ryugado Cave (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Statue Outside Ryugado Cave**
SOURCE: Statue Outside Ryugado Cave (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Shrine Inside Ryugado Cave**
SOURCE: Shrine Inside Ryugado Cave (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Monument Inside Ryugado Cave**
SOURCE: Monument Inside Ryugado Cave (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

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Kōchi Castle – Dioramas

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Steve

Throughout the main building, there are dioramas depicting feudal life at Kōchi Castle. The last photo in this group is an exterior view from the top of the tower at the castle. It isn’t one of the dioramas, but it looks like it could be!