Beautiful Só-mon – Main Gate – can be seen from the street and it is very impressive. It is quite new. But as soon as I walk under it and my eyes take in what lies behind it, I gasp. It looks so interesting. I am walking further, ishi-doro = stone lanterns flanking the pavement on both sides. Then upstairs to the Nió-mon Gate. Suddenly I have a feeling of something ancient.
The Nió-mon Gate is from 1831. But it is not only the gate itself that gives an air of something really old but a small lake – Nió-ike pond – behind it with a stone bridge and a rocky hill with monuments. And many more very steep steps to climb. And many more buildings to see as this temple is with its temple grounds one of the largest in Japan.
Right in these days, from April 28 until May 28th 2018 this temple has the “Commemorative unveiling of a treasured Buddhist image” period to celebrate the 1080th anniversary of the founding of Naritasan. Its history is connected with Fudó-myó-ó image. Fudó-myó-ó is how the God of Fire Acala is called in Japan. He is depicted as angry looking, with a sword in his hand and flames around him.
I took a photo of him in the Great Pagoda of Peace. As I went to upper levels of the pagoda I was amazed seeing thousands of little Fudó-myó-ó images sitting neatly placed there – presented by donors praying to him. Two floors full of them! However no photos there. So I just took photos of the view from there.
