Showing posts with label charm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charm. Show all posts

March 12, 2011

Reflections・・・ Huge Roof in Tiny Puddle

(This time, I wondered to post or not. While time goes by, the situations seem to go worse. Fortunately Nara where I live is far from epicenter.  But , I thought also if Ididn't post, someone might think I were in terrible trouble. So I decided to keep doing  things as usual . We are Ok. Thank you for your concern.)

Can you guess what a pair of golden ornaments??

In the early sunset, everything is bathed in golden tint!
The pair of golden ornaments are called "Shibi" which are placed on the roof ridge of  Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji Temple in Nara and serve as charms against fire.  It is said they are in the shape of imaginary fishtails or birdtails.  I think they must be the fishtails. I'll tell you why. The fishtails are on the roof , so where the bodies of fish are?  Yes, the bodies are under the roof, it means Great Buddha Hall is under water as fish live in water.  How securely the hall is protected against fire!

Even though  the original Great Buddha Hall was 1.5 times bigger,  still the present one  is the largest wooden building in the world. When I found this reflection, I smiled "What a lovely reflection it is!.  "Shibi"s  and the huge roof are in such a tiny puddle!" Oh, now I am a puddle sucker.
The puddle is on this stone.

On a snowy day or rainy day, the subtle reflection of "Shibi"s appear on the  approach
to Great Buddha Hall  like mirage. 
Which reflection do you like the best?


For your reference:
 The Great Buddha Hall was burnt down  and rebuilt twice.
The original hall was built in the  8th century.
The second one was rebuilt in the 12th  century.
The present one was rebuilt in 1709 and is designated as a World Heritage Site. 
The hall is 57 meters wide, 50 meters deep and 49 metre's tall.
Since 1709 "Shibi"s have perfectly protected the hall without fail!!

                                                   
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