This is Kiko-ji temple, 喜光寺 which is famous for lotus flowers. In front of stone statues of Buddhist deities, lotus flowers burst into bloom and create the paradise of Buddha.
There is a small pond covered with water lilies behind the main hall. The water lilies are no less elegant or graceful than lotus flowers.
I was fascinated with this scene of a water lily and ripples. On water, small and quiet ripples were being made by tiny water insects. As soon as the ripples were born, they were gone. It was as if seeing our mortal lives reflected in the ripples. The combination of metallic blue ripples and the white flower was so beautiful that I stayed there and watched them for a long time..
While taking photos, I did not notice that a crayfish was clinging to
a stalk under water. Can you find it?
The water lily started to close before noon.
After noon, it closed.
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The water lily from a different angle. It looked like a pair of wine glasses.
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The history of Kiko-ji temple dates back to 721. It is said Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji temple was modeled on the main hall of this temple.
My related blog,
Nara Park under a midsummer sun
Visit "Weekend Reflections" and see more!
Love your calm and beautiful pics. I think I saw the fish. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou've taken some magical photos here. Well done!
ReplyDeleteKeiko,thank you for this beautiful post.Your photos are stunning,full of love for these flowers I think.Nara Park looks lovely as ever,the deer must be an endless source of interest for visitors.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
Ruby
Beautiful photographs! I love the contrast between the black water and the white flowers! I've read that lotus flowers and water lilies open with an audible pop. Is that just a legend, or have you heard the sound? I've never heard it ... :)
ReplyDeleteYour waterlily and ripple pictures are really amazing, the light you have captured is magic. I alway like to see the Nara deer too, beautiful animals. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of lotuses. I love the picture of the lotus reflecting in the water. So serene! Thanks
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! It's a great composition between water and lily. Have a great weekend. :D
ReplyDeleteWonderful set of pictures and commentary! The white lilies are so calm and quiet, indeed creating a serene world of Buddha just the way HE would have liked it, I guess. Your header too has a white lily picture, I wonder if it is shot in this very temple. The picture of the dear refreshes my memory of the time I had spent with them, they are so friendly and approachable.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous captures, amazing beauty... you do live in a wonderful world! Many thanks for sharing.
喜光寺、行こうと思っていたのに行きそびれていたのでうれしいです。でも自分の目で実際見たとしても、この写真で受けるようなインパクトは受け取れなかったと思います。
ReplyDelete真っ白な睡蓮と渦はとても神秘的で、夢の中にあるイメージなのか現実のものか、じっと見つめていると不思議な感覚を覚えます。
写真のもつ力を強く感じます。
素敵なポストですね。3パラグラフのお気持ちよくわかります。そこにいったん目が行くと心もとらわれてしまう白い睡蓮とさざ波と光の世界。Ｋｅｉｋｏさんの写真には現実と非現実の境目にいるような気にさせられるものが多く、そのような写真が好きです。
ReplyDeleteStunning! Your photos are really fascinating.
ReplyDeletea wonderful meditation on the transience of beauty and life...
ReplyDeletei like the way you spend deep time with your photography... it really shows... (even if, (especially if?) the flowers close in the process...
you continue to amaze me.
Exquisite flowers, beautiful colors and fantastic captures! What a lovely way to begin my day! Thank you!
ReplyDeletethese are just magical! thank you! visiting from weekend reflections today. :)
ReplyDeleteThose shots of the lilies and ripples with their reflections are quite stunning...
ReplyDeleteSometimes a whirling ripple can seem like it contains an entire solar system within it. They do create such beautiful animated backgrounds for the lotus flowers. I can see how you would become enthralled by such sights.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteFrom Hilda
最近あるポストで、「詩は意識を深める、画は意識を破壊する」というような意見を読んで、一理あると思いました。絵画を観てはっとするのはそれまでの自分の感覚を破壊されるときの新しい感覚なんですね。snowwhiteさんの写真にはそれに似た感覚を呼び起こす効果があると思います。
ReplyDeleteおそらくその花の命の源である池の泥から育ち 水面に顔をだした時、白く清い花は何を想い、そして花を閉じるのでしょうね。ゆっくり広がる波紋がその花の揺れる心を現わしているよう。銀色の光輪は まさに幽玄の世界。今まで見たことのない世界を現実に見せてもらえたように思います。お見事です。
ReplyDeleteThese are some of the most beautiful and artistic shots I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI could gaze at that ripple and white lily for hours. It says so much about the fragility and brevity of life.
Absolutely gorgeous photos. Thank you for sharing them. And thank you to Lady Fi for pointing them out to me.
ReplyDelete漆黒の水面に映る純白の睡蓮。宇宙を想像させる青銀の渦。お釈迦様と輪廻転生、なにか哲学的なものを感じてしまいます。
ReplyDelete渦の一瞬を撮るのが私には、難しいです。去年喜光寺に行きましたが、睡蓮の池にこんな場面があるなんて思いもよらなかったです。
こんばんは。スイレンとさざ波、とても素敵です。
ReplyDeleteこれを見ていると、時間が止まってしまったような気がします。
Muito bonito!
ReplyDeleteAmei as fotografias.
¸❤✿•.¸
♥ Bom fim de semana!
♡ Beijinhos.
Brasil
Rurousha,
ReplyDeleteI have heard that legend lotus flowers make a sound at the very moment when they open. Many people say it is true. Before 6 am, we have to be there. For me it is almost impossible, because I do not drive a car and neither my husband. But, how wonderful it is to hear the sounds and to see them penning!!!
Arti,
I took the photo of the white water lily of my header in a pond of Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto. I love the garden of this shrine where we can enjoy flowers in any seasons. Especially in spring, cherry blossoms are very beautiful.
cosmos, stardust,
喜光寺へは昨年も蓮を撮りにいきました。 でも、今年は、一輪の睡蓮の不思議な光景に目を奪われ、撮り終えたときには他の睡蓮も蓮もつぼんでおりました。 見る場所、角度により睡蓮が変わってくるのが面白く時間を忘れました。無理な姿勢を続けていたので、今も肩が痛いです。写真は本当に偶然が多いですね。
Amazing photos! Thank you for showing us the lotus & the water lily, they are so beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always mesmerized by the beauty of your photos - the light and blue ripples are a potent combination here. I see why you would stay and watch for a long time. And I do see the crayfish! happy week to you Keiko.
ReplyDeleteOh those picrures featured flower and its reflection!.. I keep watching and watching... Thank you very much for this post!
ReplyDeleteYour weekend reflections are very pretty and I love your blog. I'm a new follower. http://aetcheverry.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteKeiko, I would be standing breathless and watching those ripples and reflections. I do see the crayfish - thank you for drawing my attention to it. Such fragile beauty you've captured in your photos.
ReplyDeleteLindas Imagens
ReplyDeleteBeijocas :*
Boa Semana ")
Hi, I'm from Brazil and came to know your blog, very inteessante'm already following. I invite you to get to know me a hug
ReplyDeleteGreat! Lotus and water lillies are some of my favourite flowers - whenever there's the chance for me to photograph them I do. And it's really hard to stop taking photos then... :-)
ReplyDeleteRecent weekend I bought a small water lilly with blue blossoms for a tub on my balcony!
Uwe.
That gorgeous entry, some images full of soul.
ReplyDeleteA hug,
i came back to say congrats on your POTW!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful shots and thoughts to share
ReplyDeleteI'm here because of Hilary's POTW. Your photographs are beautiful and oh, so peaceful (I think I saw the crayfish!). Thank you so much for sharing them, and congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHello, snowwhite.
ReplyDeleteYour work is embraced in your gentleness.
And sweet message charms my heart.
The prayer for all peace.
Have a good weekend. ruma❃
aaah, your lotus pictures are dreamy. Really beautiful and I spotted the cray fish - brilliant! I really enjoy the beautiful way you write too. You are a perfect ambassador to your beautiful country. Your blog has really strengthened my desire to visit one day, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I have really enjoyed myself looking through this post. I'm not sure why, but your first two photos reminded me of classical Russian ballet. Maybe it's because they contain perfection, movement, and dreams of the future.
ReplyDeleteHello dear Snowwhite, I wanted to let you know that I have bestowed the Kreative Blogger Award upon this blog. I love reading your blog, the insight, the photos and the passion for your country and it's traditions.
ReplyDeletePop over to Mrs Black's and accept the award when you find time! xx
水に浮かぶ美しい睡蓮ですね！ひんやりとした空気が伝わってきそうな気がします。
ReplyDelete奈良の鹿達もこの暑さでまいってないといいのですが。
Tomoko
The gardens in your country are so beautiful – what a joy it must be to visit them. It is a joy also to see them on your blog. I can understand how you felt looking at the water lily and the moving water. These are special moments that give happiness.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as usual!
ReplyDeleteYour water lily pics are awesome ! The reflection are so pretty, and the transparency of the water (with the prawn) is so framed... Bravo !
ReplyDeleteWater lilies are my favourites.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beauty, Keiko!