Brief explanation on Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara, Japan. (Script from Ueda et al)
Great Buddha of Kamakura
Brief explanation on Kamakura Daibutsu. (Script from Ueda et al)
The Beautiful Five-Tiered Pagoda of Kaijusen-ji!
This temple was established in 735 by Roben, a priest of Todai-ji Temple. Kaijusen-ji Temple, with its main hall, Monjudo Hall and Oku-no-In, affords a view of the distant mountains which are likened to the ocean. The temple was named after the paradise of Kannon. Rising up amidst a dense green pine forest is a beautiful five-tiered pagoda painted in a brilliant vermilion. This pagoda is a National Treasure. Also known for warding off misfortune and preventing palsy, the temple holds a white radish (daikon) cooking festival for the prevention of palsy on December 18th every year.
The Trick of the Wish-granting Eggplant:
An eggplant flower blooms without wasting a single thing; it also, in Japanese, is read as 'nasu' which can also mean 'accomplishment'. This is a good omen that hard work will be recognised and dreams will come true. Sit down on the eggplant while thinking strongly of your wish and pray earnestly. Two people can sit down here to forge deeper bonds, but if alone, you can sit down just for good luck. A parens't opinion and an eggplant's flower should not be wasted, not even one in a thousand. (Japanese proverb) The Wish-granting Eggplant: to alter disaster and bring you luck.
The Bodhisattva that Prevents Embarrassing Slip-ups:
Pray to be able to listen to people well, to try hard, to also try hard to understand, and to be able to use this in your human relations.
KAMAKURA - RISE AND FALL OF THE SHOGUNS Episode 2.
A Medieval History of Japan.
Episode 2: KAMAKURA RISING - The Minamoto Shoguns.
1180, and in the wake of the collapse of imperial power the warrior clans of the Genji (Minamoto) and Heike (Taira) are locked in a deadly battle for control of the nation, in the second part of this documentary series. We look at how the single-minded Minamoto leader Yoritomo and his kinsmen and allies strove to develop Kamakura as a military, political, spiritual and economic centre, in their bid to make the city the most powerful in Japan.
MUSIC:
Zac Singer and Doug Maxwell - Hon~Kyoku.
Alphaville - Big In Japan (Album version Intro sample).
MK2 - Far Away.
Ross Bugden - Flight Hymn.
Eric Taylor - Ancient Civilization (EricTaylorMusic.com).
Junko Ueda - Yoshitsune.
Ross Bugden - Olympus.
Laurel and Hardy - Fresh Fish Blues (Ross Owen Remix).
Bibliography:
Series Playlist:
Shonandai Station
Testing night video at Shonandai eki using Canon EOS M3