Japan, 1997. Kyoto and Nara

August 16, Saturday. Just arrived.
	a02. Kyoto tonight. Distorted due to large exposure without mounting.
August 17, Sunday. Streets of Kyoto, Maruyama park, KICH.
	a03. Irina Mironova. At the crossing of Shijo dori and Karasuma dori. "Dori" is street in Japanese.
	a04. Myself. A view to Karasuma dori; center of the city is in opposite direction. Early morning (about 8 am).
	a05. First encounter with small shrine. We were rather puzzled and didn't knew what's that.
	a06. Shrine. Right on the street.
	a07. On the Shijo dori.
	a08. A land of high technologies.
	a09. Kamogawa, i.e. Kamo river. Rather shallow and quick. Water is crystal clear. A view from the Shijo Ohashi bridge.
	a10. Walking OS/2 advertisement ;-) On the bridge across the Kamogawa river.
	a11. Crossed Kamogawa, standing near narrow boulevard.
	a12. Dreaming about things on display. After checking, they appeared to be not that tasty compared to how they look.
	a13. Real fire brigade. I am not sure whether it was a real fire or just training, but people inside machines were wearing silver suites. Shijo dori.
	a14. Entrance to Yasaka shrine and Maruyama park (at the end of Shijo dori).
	a15. Entrance to Yasaka shrine and Maruyama park (at the end of Shijo dori).
	a16. Shrine gate. The orange colour is beautiful.
	a17. Place to drink and wash hands. Similar ones are present at every shrine.
	a18. Yup! Irina tries to choose a hat. She didn't succeeded though (good ones are way too expensive).
	a19. This is the main shrine. At night, all lanterns are lit.
	a20. Sacred lantern. Some kind of a donation to gods.
	a21. Southern gate of Yasaka shrine.
	a22. Roofs are really worth looking at.
	a23. People ask for divine help here. See next shot.
	a24. The procedure is as follows: put a coin into special box, pull a cord (the bells will chime), clap hands and bow. Don't forget to tell god about your wishes. You see the woman at the left in the end of the prayer.
	a25. Trying to do the same. Not really sure what I asked this time. Probably just wanted to say "Thanks" to gods.
	b01. Large tree in the Maruyama park.
	b02. On the alley leading to Otani shrine. 17 August; the alley is decorated with paper lanterns.
	b03. Another fine example of typical roof. Still don't know exactly what it was made of.
	b04. Blooming tree, emerald pine and white lanterns - beautiful sight.
	b05. She didn't exactly liked to be photographed this time.
	b06. Shoes are to be taken off before entering.
	b07. I believe this is the actual Otani shrine. Otani was a monk who founded it.
	b08. Another view. Note the incense smoke.
	b09. Pond with coloured fish in Maruyama park. There are also turtles in it.
	b10. Irina seems to be happy. This is the first day, it's morning and sun isn't burning. Yet.
	b11. A view to the river near Kyoto International Conference Hall (KICH).
	b12. Street leading to nearby mountain, near KICH.
	b13. Hmmm, strange pose I took. Ever seen mummies in Heroes of Might and Magic II computer game? Loos rather similar.
August 18, Monday. Higashi-Honganji Temple.
	b14. Central Kyoto railway station.
	b15. Another view. Myself included.
	b16. We are walking to large Buddhist temple near Kyoto station (Higashi-Honganji Temple).
	b17. Colossal entrance gate. Wooden, of course. You can see that Buddhist temples are brown coloured (unlike orange shrines).
	b18. Irina is standing in the front of a gate.
	b19. On the staircase leading inside the temple.
	b20. Wrong exposure.
	b21. Temple yard.
	b22. On the temple verandah.
	b23. Enjoying the view.
	b24. Roof.
	b25. Column is made of single tree.
	b26. Column is made of single tree.
	b27. Drake in the temple yard. This is a place for washing hands and drinking.
	b28. Near KICH in the garden, during reception. On the right is Olga Sil'chenko.
	b29. Lots of people was gathered near KICH to talk, eat and drink.
	b30. In the crowd. Look how many astronomers have gathered here!
August 19, Tuesday. KICH.
	b31. After my presentation, on the KICH verandah. I am satisfied.
	b32. After my presentation, on the KICH verandah. I am satisfied.
	b33. In the Japanese-style restaurant near KICH (Todoroki). Getting used to eat with sticks.
August 20, Wednesday. Nijo castle. Assembly opening. Maiko.
	b34. Nijo castle, Shogun palace. The main building. Comparing to temples and shrines, royal architecture looks modest.
	b35. Near the large bell. On the right is Elena Benevolenskaya from St. Peterburg.
	b36. Standing in the garden of Nijo castle.
	c01. Irina is sitting on warm wooden platform. Note that walls made of paper.
	c02. Castle garden. Typical Japanese combination: pond, rocks, trees, moss.
	c03. In the garden.
	c04. Fence made of bamboo.
	c05. Trying to decide whether to walk upstairs to the tower or not. The sun is quickly becoming hot.
	c06. View from the tower. You can see broad moat.
	c07. A view from the tower to castle garden.
	c08. In the castle garden.
	c09. Gate. Note the small bamboo clamp in the foreground.
	c10. Japanese know how to make beautiful gardens. Really.
	c11. Broad lawn. In the garden.
	c12. Maiko dance (Assembly opening).
	c13. Maiko dance (Assembly opening).
	c14. Maiko dance (Assembly opening).
	c15. Maiko dance (Assembly opening).
	c16. Maiko dance (Assembly opening).
	c17. Maiko dance (Assembly opening).
	c18. In the maiko company. Look at their faces covered with thick layer of lime.
	c19. Elena Gavryuseva.
	c20. This shot is slightly better than previous.
	c21. Alas, Irina isn't in the focus.
August 21, Thursday. Toji temple flea market, Gion district.
	c22. Pagoda of Toji temple.
	c23. Pagoda of Toji temple. Note the rings on the spear.
	f01. Toji temple, central building. On August 21, the huge flea market teems on the temple territory.
	f02. Critically looking kimono bought by Irina.
	f03. Trade rows. Stunning variety, quantity and colours of eastern market.
	f04. As you can see, Japanese love red and orange.
	f05. Yasaka pagoda. It is situated right in the living district.
	f06. Edge of the roof seems to be decorated with gold coins.
	f07. A bit closer.
	f08. Street in hystorical Kyoto. Near Yasaka pagoda.
	f09. I don't know what it is. But I was amazed.
	f10. A view on Kyoto from the hill.
	f11. Ryozen Kannon. Huge wooden statue among green trees - what a stunning look!
	f12. Same shot. Slightly worse than previous.
August 22, Friday. Imperial Palace park.
	f14. In the small temple of Imperial Palace park.
	f15. In the small temple of Imperial Palace park.
	f16. In the small temple of Imperial Palace park.
	f17. Imperial Palace park. At the distance you can see the mountain with a cross on it. On August 16 night, it is illuminated by fires.
	f18. Small shrine, dedicated to one of half-legendary persons in Kyoto history and boars who saved him from enemies.
	f19. Kyoto International Conference Hall (KICH). 23rd International Astronomical Union Assembly was held there.
	f20. poor shot
	f21. River and gardens near KICH.
	f22. One of bridges across the river.
August 23, Saturday. Ryoanji Temple and around.
	d01. Pond in the garden of Ryoan-ji temple, where Rock Garden is.
	d02. In the Ryoan-ji temple garden.
	d03. The trees, moss and rocks look like handpainted. The closest analogy is Legend of Kyrandia 1,2 games.
	d04. In the garden.
	d05. In the garden.
	d06. Ryoan-ji Rock Garden. Verandah.
	d07. Ryoan-ji Rock Garden. Rocks.
	d08. Ryoan-ji Rock Garden. Thinking about something.
	d09. Ryoan-ji Rock Garden. Japanese makes sketches of rocks.
	d10. Ryoan-ji Rock Garden.
	d11. Ryoan-ji Rock Garden.
	d12. Ryoan-ji temple, inner yard.
	d13. Ryoan-ji Rock Garden.
	d14. Bamboo fence.
	d15. Two monks walking to the meeting.
	d16. In the forest, on the hill near the temple.
	d17. In the forest, on the hill near the temple. Too dark. wrong exposure.
	d18. In the forest, on the hill near the temple. Too dark. wrong exposure.
	d19. We've reached stone road. Irina is pointing to something.
	d20. Ugh. The air is humid and hot in the tropical forest.
	d21. Kyoto city, as viewed from the hill. Right part of the panorama.
	d22. Kyoto city, as viewed from the hill. Central part of the panorama.
	d23. Kyoto city, as viewed from the hill. Left part of the panorama.
	d24. Merciless sun takes its toll.
	d25. Stone road has ended. Path in the forest.
	d26. Another view of Kyoto.
	d27. Japanese mountains look wild, but in reality almost everything is covered by paths, sacred places and such.
	d28. Looking down from the top.
	d29. A bug which produces loud high-pitched noise. The actual length is about 5-6 cm.
	d30. Closer.
	d31. Mountains.
	d32. On the top of the hill. Strange articles are bound to the tree.
	d33. Russian women seem to like local fashion. Olga Sil'chenko and Irina Mironova in kimonos.
	d35. True Japanese :-)
	d36. Irina in kimono.
August 24, Sunday. Nara.
	e01. Deers are commonplace in Nara. They live everywhere.
	e02. Feeding deers.
	e03. Kofuku-ji pagoda.
	e04. Kofuku-ji pagoda.
	e05. A pack of deers. They are still new for us.
	e06. Famous Nara stone lanterns. These two are really magnificent ones.
	e07. Two Europeans want to take an entertainment ride.
	e08. Road to Todai-ji temple (where Great Buddha of Nara is).
	e09. Children playing with deer. Park near Todai-ji temple.
	e10. Can you find out what it is?
	e11. Daibutsu temple gate.
	e12. Guardian inside temple gate.
	e13. To the temple.
	e14. Deer.
	e15. Stone obelisk with hieroglyphs carved in it.
	e16. Daibutsu temple. View from the outside.
	e17. Daibutsu temple. Main entrance.
	e18. Near incense-burner.
	e19. Irina Mironova and Olga Sil'chenko, at the entrance.
	e20. Myself. Dark temple inner hall contrasts with my white shirt.
	e21. Great Buddha of Nara.
	e22. Great Buddha of Nara.
	e23. We're leaving. Main gate.
	e24. Lawn of the temple. Golden spear on the background is explained on the next shot.
	e25. Modern construction; as far as I remember it symbolizes unification of people's spirits of the world or something like that.
	e26. Kasuga shrine.
	e27. Irina near sacred stone lanterns.
	e28. Irina near sacred stone lanterns.
	e29. Slope of the hill is covered by large stone staircase. Deers everywhere.
	g01. Dragon on the rooftop (view from the restaurant at the second floor).
	g02. Dark alley and stone lanterns.
	g03. I am sad. Don't know why.
	g04. Golden lanterns among orange columns.
	g05. Kasuga shrine.
	g06. Old tree inside shrine.
	g07. Countryside. You can see rice fields in the foreground (this is the road from Nara to Kyoto).
	g08. Countryside (this is the road from Nara to Kyoto).
August 25, Monday. Kyoto Botanical Garden.
	g09. Man-made beauty of Kyoto Botanical Garden.
	g10. Hiding from the hot sun.
	g11. Flower of lotus. Unfortunately, I was unable to come close.
	g12. Pond grown with lotus all over the surface.
	g13. Watermill. Not in working condition though.
	g14. On the alleys.
	g15. Bonsai (small trees grown in pots). She frowns from the burning sun.
	g16. Bonsai (small trees grown in pots).
	g17. Small garden of bonsai. All trees are grown in pots and put on long benches to view.
	g18. Model of the typical Japanese garden. Almost all details are present: moss, rocks, trees, stone lanterns, bamboo fence. Only pond is missing.
	g19. Rose alley; you can see fountain in the background.
	g20. Rose bushes.
	g21. Fountain. In such a hot climate, very refreshing device.
	g22. Small waterfall, surrounded by bushes.
	g23. Hydro plants (plants cultivated in water).
	g24. Hydro plants (plants cultivated in water).
	g25. In the bamboo coupe.
	g26. Lost among the trunks.
	g27. Look how thick they are.
	g28. Dark bamboo alley.
	g29. Near conservatory entrance.
	g30. We've got quite a pack of things to carry back to Moscow!
	g31. Sigh. Good bye, Kyoto. It was nice to meet you. I'll pray to return to you someday...

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