Muromachi Reflections (Vertical)
Gold is an important visual motif in the Buddhist tradition as it's intended to purify the negative and intrusive thoughts about death. Though this version of Kinkaku-Ji (The Golden Temple) is a reconstruction of one that burned down (arson) in the 1950s, the original site dating back to the 1390s was no less visually excessive and reliant on thick gold leaf to coat its facade. This was a feature of the Muromachi period of Japanese classical garden design that this pavilion would have been built under.
I captured this shot on a whim and a prayer as I was being kicked out of the pavilion. No, not because of my behavior! The temple grounds close at dusk and staff start ushering everyone out in a loop towards the exit. Guards are put in place to make sure nobody backtracks; however, I quickly stepped aside from the herd and captured this last-minute vertical comp before jumping back into the exit line before anyone was the wiser. Sometimes you gotta bend the rules to get the shot.
This print is perfect for those who obsess over classical Japanese Architectural theory, have a preference for the spiritual world, and have a contemplative disposition towards the topic of death and the afterlife. Or for those who just love gold and reflections.
Gold is an important visual motif in the Buddhist tradition as it's intended to purify the negative and intrusive thoughts about death. Though this version of Kinkaku-Ji (The Golden Temple) is a reconstruction of one that burned down (arson) in the 1950s, the original site dating back to the 1390s was no less visually excessive and reliant on thick gold leaf to coat its facade. This was a feature of the Muromachi period of Japanese classical garden design that this pavilion would have been built under.
I captured this shot on a whim and a prayer as I was being kicked out of the pavilion. No, not because of my behavior! The temple grounds close at dusk and staff start ushering everyone out in a loop towards the exit. Guards are put in place to make sure nobody backtracks; however, I quickly stepped aside from the herd and captured this last-minute vertical comp before jumping back into the exit line before anyone was the wiser. Sometimes you gotta bend the rules to get the shot.
This print is perfect for those who obsess over classical Japanese Architectural theory, have a preference for the spiritual world, and have a contemplative disposition towards the topic of death and the afterlife. Or for those who just love gold and reflections.
Gold is an important visual motif in the Buddhist tradition as it's intended to purify the negative and intrusive thoughts about death. Though this version of Kinkaku-Ji (The Golden Temple) is a reconstruction of one that burned down (arson) in the 1950s, the original site dating back to the 1390s was no less visually excessive and reliant on thick gold leaf to coat its facade. This was a feature of the Muromachi period of Japanese classical garden design that this pavilion would have been built under.
I captured this shot on a whim and a prayer as I was being kicked out of the pavilion. No, not because of my behavior! The temple grounds close at dusk and staff start ushering everyone out in a loop towards the exit. Guards are put in place to make sure nobody backtracks; however, I quickly stepped aside from the herd and captured this last-minute vertical comp before jumping back into the exit line before anyone was the wiser. Sometimes you gotta bend the rules to get the shot.
This print is perfect for those who obsess over classical Japanese Architectural theory, have a preference for the spiritual world, and have a contemplative disposition towards the topic of death and the afterlife. Or for those who just love gold and reflections.
