May 31 - Since I handle 10-yen coins almost every day, I feel a great sense of intimacy with the Phoenix Hall at Uji's Byodoin temple. Ann and I recently renewed our acquaintance with this beautiful structure. The main building consists of a main hall with a pair of bronze phoenixes on the roof, two L-shaped "wings," and a long narrow "tail" structure in the back.

After we admired the hall from across the large artificial pond, I asked Ann to pose in front of it with a 10-yen coin depicting that very structure. I love that photo which shows a smiling Ann, the Phoenix Hall in the background, and its tiny image on the coin in Ann’s hand.

Walking inside the hall, we were awe-struck by the large statue of Amida Buddha, and with the statues of worshipping Bodhisattvas on clouds. These delicately carved images appear so light that it was easy to imagine them floating down from the sky as they danced or played various musical instruments.

Inside the Byodoin museum, we admired these images close up. The large bronze temple bell was also impressive. In contrast to many Japanese temple bells, this one was ornately decorated with rich patterns and symbols of lion-dogs on the sides. On top was an ornate dragon.

A sign in the museum explained that craftsman of this bell were influenced by Korean temple bells. I was interested to learn that even in the Heian period, Japan and Korea enjoyed such a rich cultural exchange.

Until next time,

Jim