Honen-in Temple

It may not be famous. But I like this temple. It is near Ginkaku-​ji Temple.

This temple is peaceful place with a nice gate that has a great atmosphere of each season. I always take a picture of the gate as it has a nice view.
In front of the gate there is a pole that has a Chinese letter that says, «Any one who had had smelly, hot tastes vegetable like garlic and garlic chive, blood taste meat or alcohol will be prohibited to go through the gate». So make sure that you didn’t have such food before you go through the gate.
The sand garden on both side of the entrance, near the gate, always change on each season. The view from the main gate are nice that I sometime forget that there are other people that want to take picture from my back, and I’m blocking them…
I like this temple from its view and also the way that it supports traditional artist in Kyoto.
The grand monk here is very supportive for traditional artist that he opens one building for the artist to hold their own exhibition. Sometime he also let the artist use the main building for their exhibition. I once joined a concert by a Niko player. (Niko is a Chinese instrument with two strings). The temple was opened for the concert. I was surprised that the temple was so big that I never notice from outside.
Also there is a grave of the famous modern Japanese novelist called Junichiro Tanizaki near the temple. In this grave there is also one of the famous Japanese Philosopher, a Japanese academic, and Kyoto university professor, Kuki Shuzo. His grave is unique as it has a Japanese translation of Goethe’s poem «Wandrers Nachtlied» on the back. This poem was dedicated from Ikutaro Nishida, the greatest Philosopher from Kyoto.

Autumn leaves viewing season is recommended, if you visit here. It was special! I came here to take part in the Kukai or meeting of forming Haiku, traditional Japanese poet in 5−7−5 pattern. It was the event with a Haiku poet, M. M, (who was a former actress and so beautiful) and I am a big fan of her. I admire her passionate poets depicting love. At the event I heard the sound of Koto and was served with macha and Japanese sweet, which helped me form a Haiku. In the end my Haiku was selected as one of the excellent ones and I got a sake as a prize.
Thatched roof entrance was so tasteful that I felt like being purified when I crossed the gate. I walked up the steps covered over with scarlet fallen leaves. Once I passed through the gate, I found rectangular-​shaped white sand piled on the both sides of the pathway, which symbolize water, like purifying my body.
On that day I visited at the annex an art exhibition was held. I talked with the painter who was a successor of my university. My heart was healed by the paintings such as picture books.
The grave of Junichiro Tanizaki, a Japanese well-​known novelist stands here. I regret not having paid a visit to his grave to give me a portion of his writing ability.