Inari Jinja, Running Monks
I have missed one of Kyoto’s major highlights on all other trips but this time I made it to Fushimi Inari-Jinja twice in 2 days. The first time I was alone as Atsuko had gone back to the hotel, and as the sun was going down I made my way into the shrine not realising just how far the paths of red tori gates stretched. Inari Okami is the Shinto god of agriculture or rice and foxes are loyal messengers of this Inari god. I got completely lost in the dark forest for well over 2 hours, each red tunnel looking much the same as the next and I as I desperately tried to find my way out, all I could think about were the stories Atsuko had told me about foxes tricking and deceiving (mostly male) victims with illusions and visions. By the time I found my way out, just a little scared, it was pitch black on the mountain.
We returned the next morning together, and spent our last few hours in Kyoto among the beautiful red gates, with sun streaming between the gaps. (See what I mean about red+green?) It’s easy to see why this shrine is used frequently in Japanese commercials and Hollywood movies alike, it’s incredibly photogenic. You cannot take a bad photograph of this place. Have a look at the beautiful Gyakusou commercial (Nike x Undercover collaboration), it captures many of the places we visited in Kyoto. Click Running Monks.
Those photographs are wonderful what kind of camera did you use?
Thank-you for saying so. I use a Canon550d, a mid range DSLR, and use 3 different lenses regularly.
Thanks Joe your photographs make me want to upgrade my digital camera btw do you know if old analogue camera lenses fit on new digital camera bodies?
Not something I know much about actually. I think the answer in Canon’s case is ‘it depends’. This link might give you some of the detail you need… http://photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00M1pQ
Magical, mystical tour Joe. Glad that the little foxes spared you!
me too!
Hi Joe, Would you consider taking part in this art project? http://vincentinorbit.com/2010/08/22/project-brief-for-the-cabinet-of-curiosities-portrait-gallery/
Looks very interesting, I will have a think about what I could submit…! Thanks for thinking of us!
Fantastic! As always. : )
Thank-you, I have been really enjoying your latest winter series, such pretty ice forms and shades of white and blue.
Beautiful photos! And brought back a few memories too. Thanks for sharing!
hello! thanks for the comment as always, glad to remind you of good times past! : )
How many kilometers you have to walk to find the way out? It seems like a very long tunnel that never ends and all look the same……great pics!
If you do the full walk (without getting lost) it’s around 4km! And there are many tunnels going different directions! Thanks very much for visiting our blog!
what? really?? a good place for jogging track ;p
Lots of steps though…! ; ) Have a look at the Gyakusou video link in the blog post… You will see some cool joggers.
Gorgeous place and photos! One place I’ld like to visit one day…Thanks for sharing.
Spectacular.