Friday, February 7, 2014

Visited Tachiki-Kannon (立木観音)

 (posted; Japanese culture page)

*Have you ever heard about Kannon-Bosatu?* (Try my best summarizing through PC)
       Kannon-Bosatu 観音菩薩 picture page introduction page  

Kannon-Bosatu is the most widely worshiped divinities in Asia and Japan and positioned next to Buddha.  Another Japanese name for Kannon is Kanzeon 観世音.  The one who constantly surveys (kan 観) the world (ze 世) listening for the sounds (on 音) of suffering.  “one who sees / hears all.” This is indeed the task of the compassionate Kannon — to witness and listen to the prayers and cries of those in difficulty in the earthly realm, and to help them achieve salvation.

I visited Tachiki-Kannon (立木観音, stand timber Kannon) with my aunt and cousin. As you may guess from the Chinese Characters, this Kannon is curved directory inside of the Ginko-tree trunk. 
















The ginko-tree, which got together (unionised ?) with the Round Leaf Holly, is in the back of the little shrine.   It is the work of 16th century's Buddha statue sculptor 木喰上人(mokujiki-shounin).  Since then it has been touched by the people who wish their prayers answered, so sorry the way the statue doesn't look elegant.








We can peek Kannon from the shrine when offering the prayer. And also go back to touch it.
We pass the stone statues called 地蔵 jizo.
You can see shrine and the Big ginko-tree, Round Leaf Holly in the back.
We had ordered lunch at my cousin's restaurant for an hour drive. Although it was a snowy day, we didn't changed the date. Luckily the snow fall wasn't so bad we visited there.
Actually, this statue is located my late father's birth city and offered prayers. I guess he must have visited here before he went to world war Ⅱ.

Thank you very much for reading this long post.  Rather than posting, I'll see you soon frinds;

12 comments:

  1. Bom passar aqui e aprender um pouco mais! bjs, tudo de bom,chica

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  2. a wonderful shrine. i like a benevolent deity to hear the prayers of devoted. rather like in christianity, we are taught to pray to the virgin mary as she will hear our pleas. :)

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  3. That is a beautiful Kannon. I'm amazed it is curved inside the tree!
    Glad the snow didn't affect your plan. Stay warm and safe, Miyako san xoxo

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  4. I learned something new today!
    Lorraine

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  5. What a lovely trip with your family, my dear friend!I am so glad you all had the time together. What lovely, lovely pictures. I always learn from your posts!

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  6. What a lovely trip with your family, my dear friend!I am so glad you all had the time together. What lovely, lovely pictures. I always learn from your posts!

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  7. Dearest Miyako,
    That is a beautiful carving inside that Ginkgo tree and it has been smoothly 'hand' polished by so many hands that came to pray. Very touching your mention of your Dad having been there before he went into WWII... So many thoughts and the symbolic with the oldest tree variety has something infinite that goes with the Kannon. There are several Ginkgo Kannons in Japan...
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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  8. I knew about this Kannon for the first time. I think curving in the tree is very difficult. So this Kannon will surely answer to visiters.
    Three camellias of the header are very lovely.
    Have a nice weekend!

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  9. How beautiful dear Miyako . I had never heard of kannon before but glad I know now. I love understanding about other cultures and this is such an interesting and unique part about your rich heritage :) hope you have a lovely weekend my friend . Love and hugs your way.

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  10. °º♫♬° ·.
    Muito lindo!

    ░B░O░M░ ░F░I░M░ ░D░E░

    ░S░E░M░A░N░A░!!!

    °º♫♬° ·.
    Beijinhos do Brasil
    °º♫♬° ·.

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  11. I think the statue is beautiful Miyako and I'm glad you got to visit the shrine, especially since it is in your father's hometown. That means a lot.

    I enjoyed learning about this blessed place. Thank you for sharing.

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