Visit to Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji Temple and a bamboo forest

Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures

Originally built in 766 Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji Temple was rebuilt a few times since then, most notably by Kocho Nishimura, a statue sculptor and restorer who himself became a Buddhist monk.  Over 10 years stating in 1981 reconstruction was in full swing.  The main project was the construction of the 1200 carved statues that now cover the hillsides.  These are rakan, the followers of Buddha, created individually by everyday followers who made the pilgrimage to learn carving from Kocho Nishimura.  you can see the individuality and even elements of personality in each carving.

Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures

Kyoto - Otagi Temple - shrine Otagi Temple Document Side 1Otagi Temple Document Side 2

There are many bamboo forests in Japan, many of the most famous are in the outskirts of Kyoto.  This was one of the less popular ones, but none the less beautiful or majestic.

Kyoto - Bamboo Forest

Incredible experience at Arashiyama Monkey Park

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Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park above Kyoto

In the mountains above the outskirts of Kyoto rests the Monkey Park where i met some enchanting new friends.  I got some incredible pictures and videos of some very food motivated primates.  They had a great system where all the feeding happens though the bars and outside the feeding room, the monkeys were happy to walk among the visitors.  I learned much about these the monkeys and met an adorable mother and child.

Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park - Feeding Room

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My first visit to Akihabara electric town

This has become more of a tourist/shopping experience than the electronics bazaar.  I saw some incredible stuff.  Their was an entire floor of Apple products, with more stuff than any Apple store. some of the old school electronics guys remain.  i picked up this awesome clock.

teamLab Borderless exhibition delights and amazes visitors!

teamLab Borderless - Perspective

The teamLab Borderless exhibit in Tokyo shows what is possible with interactive art.  From video projection to three dimensional LED or other installation, i was constantly wondering what i would find around the corner.  Brining life was a reoccurring theme with one room literally having flowers spring up around slow moving visitors.

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Status update:

i have finally deployed some much needed updates as well as some resource restructuring of my hosted system.  i broke a few things (php-curl), i fixed a few things (wordpress plugins).  For the first time in ages, i am looking forward to my AWS bill.  AND. . . i may actually be federated.