That Kyoto Temple With the Many Whimsical Statues

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5600 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Things are Looking Up

at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺), Kyoto Japan








Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 900 —
map & image data — nearby photos

though this guy

Seems Grumpy
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After so many cycling-related posts lately, it's time I get back to my basics with some pretty photos.

最近僕のブログはサイクリング関係ばかりみたいので、やっぱりたまに美しい京都の写真にも戻らなければいけない。

I've been meaning to write about the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺)
temple for years, and indeed all the photos on this post are from 2012
(from visits to the temple in April and December of that year). A few of
the photos appeared a year ago in “A Few Desktop Backgrounds
from the Delightfully Whimsical Otaginenbutsuji Temple”, and one
appears as the subject of my Photo-Development
Challenge #2.

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/1250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 2500 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Entrance Path
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It's at the far north end of the Arashiyama area that is already filled with more temples and shrines than someone could
see in a week, and it's sort of a hidden treasure, so it's not particularly crowded. Tourists who walk what they think is the
full length of Arashiyama probably stop here because it simply looks
like there's nothing beyond. But only a short distance farther is an amazing place.

The temple is most noted for its 1,200 often-whimsical statues carved from stone.

Sometimes they're scattered about haphazardly like those on Easter Island...

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 900 —
map & image data — nearby photos
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Sometimes they're packed in tightly like sardines in a can...

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 900 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Each has its individual charm (and I believe each was carved by a
different person), so there are always more fun things to notice each time
you visit, or even each time you look at their photos. I just noticed that
the subject of the aforementioned photo
challenge can be found in the shot above.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 400 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Bighead and Little Bob

( I just made up those names )









Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 500 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Phyllis Diller and J. Wellington Wimpy?








Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1000 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Paul Barr








Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 720 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Walkman

the statues date from 1980s ~ 1990s








Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5600 —
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Walkman Again

this time in December








Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4000 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Damien Douxchamps

The visit in December 2012 with Damien was at the end of a photographically-productive day
that yielded a lovely rainbow,
some stunning fall colors,
autumn views of the Jojuji Temple,
and assorted other beauty.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/4, ISO 5000 —
map & image data — nearby photos

So Much Detail

and if you've read my blog for long, you know I like taking photos of other photographers taking photos
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 320 —
map & image data — nearby photos








Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 500 —
map & image data — nearby photos









Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 250 —
map & image data — nearby photos








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 320 —
map & image data — nearby photos
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Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5000 —
map & image data — nearby photos

The Office

( USA version)







Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 720 —
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At the top of the entrance path are three bells that have the most lovely sound...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/320 sec, f/2, ISO 1400 —
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 1000 —
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You can ring them freely. The deep, rich sound is sublime.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 2000 —
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Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 2500 —
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Freshman








Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 280 —
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Bright









Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 7200 —
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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/5.6, ISO 4500 —
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Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4000 —
map & image data — nearby photos








Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/1.4, ISO 500 —
map & image data — nearby photos
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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2200 —
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Bet You Don't See It
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Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1000 —
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Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 3600 —
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Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1600 —
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Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 6400 —
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Cold and Wet

that December day was









Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 2200 —
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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 — 1/160 sec, f/1.4, ISO 160 —
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The End

There's so much more there... most of the statues didn't appear here at all. Perhaps I'll have to return again...