Hiroshima’s Peace Park honors those who died in the 1945 nuclear bombing. Students on an excursion relax after taking notes
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Originally constructed in the 1590’s and rebuilt in 1965, the Hiroshima Castle now serves as a historical museum
Hiroshima was nearly totally rebuilt after its 1945 destruction. Electricity and TV cables mark city street.
Professor Jeannette Ludwig ascends Mount Koya via funicular on a chilly March afternoon
Funicular trains pass each other on the ascent of Mount Koya. The Shingon Buddhist monastery at its top was founded in 1819
Snow blankets the ground inside the Koyasan Monastery, atop a mountain in south central Japan. This is headquarters of the Kōyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Numerous tame deer live near the Miyajima shrine, where they can easily get food from tourists.
Professor Jeannette Ludwig stands near Miyajima shrine, an area with numerous tame deer
View of the Miyajima shrine pagoda from the ocean side
Major parts of the Miyajima shrine are built out from shore. See the famous torii at center.
This lovely arched bridge stands inside the Miyajima shrine
People of all faiths come to this temple to contemplate.
Miyajima’s five-tiered pagoda dominates the grounds of this noted Shinto shrine
Popular with tourists of all countries, the torii stands in the Itsukushima shrine. The shrine was established by the Empress Suiko, who ruled 503-628CE. Professors Claude Welch and Jeannette Ludwig stand here.
Miyajima island, near Hiroshima, is noted for the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Professor Jeannette Ludwig feeds deer there.
Railroad station, Kyoto, Japan with "bullet train"
The "Shinkansen" rail system, literally "new trunk line," provides high-speed travel between major Japanese cities.
Entrances to Buddhist temples are traditionally guarded by protective spirits, embodied in statues
Japanese school children prepare to see historically significant Tōdai-ji Buddha
The Todai-ji Buddha is housed inside this building
The Tōdai-ji Buddha is the world’s largest bronze Buddha, standing 52’ high. It was cast in eight units, and dedicated in 752CE.
Professor Jeannette Ludwig and deer near Nara Todai-ji Buddha
This pachinko arcade attracts Japanese of all walks of life. The metal balls produce loud noise. Avid players can win prizes.
To assist potential patrons, Japanese restaurants display plastic models of their specialties.
Japanese vending machines dispense both hot and cold drinks.
Dental cleanliness is stressed in Japan – but models for ads need not have received orthodontic treatment.
Japanese take great aesthetic pleasure in cherry blossoms. These trees are blooming outside the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan, where the ruling Shoguns resided.
Kimonos were widely worn especially by Japanese women until the late 19th century. They are now used largely on ceremonial occasions. The sign reads, ‘Final liquidation. 2001 collection of long-sleeved kimono.’ Note that in Japanese, ‘kimono’ is both singular and plural.
Deer range freely in this Nara cemetery. They are protected by law.
To celebrate for and with children, special Japanese festivals are traditionally held in March
Note the fruits and vegetables: Shintoism stresses closeness to nature
These men and women must trek up many steps to reach the monastery
Rays of the setting sun illuminate these jizō figures atop tombs
Professor Jeanette Ludwig talks with Shingon monk inside cemetery
In this Japanese cemetery, jizō stand atop roots, rocks and other surfaces
Two businessmen pray at the Shimogamo Shinto shrine
Writing Japanese characters in the traditional fashion requires elaborate preparations
Made from fermented rice, sake is Japan's national drink
Donors to charity have their names displayed on this board. Professor Jeannette Ludwig stands in front.
In an annual March 3 festival called Hina-matsuri, Japanese celebrate girls. Dolls are dressed in the traditional court dress of the Heian period.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the 6th century. The deities worshipped here protect the inhabitants.
The desired atmosphere of peaceful contemplation is enhanced by pools of this sort
Issidan garden in the Ryōan-ji Temple complex
Issidan garden. Part of the Ryōan-ji Temple complex, this rock garden dates from the Muromachi period (1336-1573) .
at the Ryōgen-in sub-temple of the Daitoku-ji Buddhist complex in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Built in 1958, this famed small Zen rock garden represents a Koan, 'harder a stone is thrown in, the bigger the ripple'
Japanese gardens are marked by simple structures, even in settings as formal as the one-time Imperial Palace in Kyoto
These prayer figures have been placed to attract attention, in an area passed by many.
These small statues are intended to safeguard women and children especially while traveling
Located in the noted Daisen-in, this garden was constructed between 1509 and 1513. Its raked stones suggest rivers, mountains, an ocean and other features
Another view of this famous garden. The stones are carefully placed so that it's impossible to see all from any single position.
This "tokonoma" or "alcove" includes a scroll depicting th3 Bodhidharma, who brought Zen from India to China. Zen practitioners follow the A-Un chant, or "truth of the universe" chant, while praying. It inolves inhale and exhale, heaven and earth, male and female.
The Daisen-in temple is one of the five most important Zen temples of Kyoto. Its title literally means "Academy of the Great Mortals." It is the world’s smallest Zen dry garden.
Known in Japanese as karesansui, the carefully-raked stones represent ripples in water
Zen rock gardens are designed as places of meditation.
The Ryoanji rock garden has been recognized as one of the world's finest Zen rock gardens. They are designed to assist meditation.
This shrine stands in Kyoto's Gion area, along Tea Pot Lane
Used for a few centuries by a prominent Japanese imperial family, this 'villa' has been said both to reflect long-standing Buddhist ideas and to have influenced 20th-century architects
Ceremonial rooms are linked to each other in the Nijo castle
Note the elaborate painted wall mats ['shoji'], signs of luxury
This room has great historic significance, since the last Tokugawa shogun renounced political power here in 1868
Since spring has yet to arrive, gardeners at this former imperial palace [Nijo Castle, Kyoto] protect plants carefully from winter cold
The Nijo castle was heavily fortified, plus surrounded by a moat and defensive wall
Completed in 1626, this massive castle served as the residence as the Tokugawa shoguns, who ruled Japan from the early 17th century until 1867
This traditionally-styled pagoda stands in the grounds of this major memorial to World War II dead
Professor Jeannette Ludwig at this post-WW2 war memorial
The gigantic Ryozen Kannon, unveiled in 1955, commemorates Japanese military personnel who died during World War II
Each July, the Gion district of Kyoto becomes the hub for one of Japan's most famous festivals. Ceremonies date back to 970 CE
This old house stands in the Gion section of Kyoto, renowned as an entertainment district for centuries
This townhouse stands in the 'Gion,' a section of Kyoto once noted one of the most famous geisha districts in Japan
This 'machiya' - wooden townhouse - has been transformed into a shop
This woman, clad as a geisha possibly to provide a 'photo-op,' strolls through Kyoto, Japan's streets.
This specialty shop sells Japanese pottery of all sorts
Tea Pot Lane in an old section of Kyoto. Note the stele with inscriptions.
Tea Pot Lane, a noted pedestrian-only street in old Kyoto, Japan, attracts many visitors because of its ceramic vases.
Translated, this sign reads, ‘Please cross over to the opposite side. Worshipers [guests?] lounge. Heian Tea Ceremony Room.'
Wherever one goes around the world, McDonald's follows. Translated, the sign reads, 'Umehana shop. Comfortable seating. Second floor dining room.'
Japanese prize fresh-cooked food, as sold in this small stall
Given Japan's heat and humidity, fans become a summer necessity in much of the country
Professor Jeannette Ludwig stands by a Buddhist flag
Such decorative jewelry has artistic appeal widely in the world
As part of his vows of poverty, this Buddhist monk stands silently, waiting for donations of funds or food
Ceremonial gates demarcate different parts of the Kiyomizu-dera temple complex
This lovely pagoda stands inside the Kiyomizu-dera temple
Meaning 'clear water,' this noted 17th-century temple has been honored by UNESCO as a World Historic Site. Cherry blossoms enhance the beauty of the Kiyomizu-dera temple.
Visiting any of the 16 historic religious sites in Kyoto - 13 Buddhist temples, three Shinto shrines - is a goal for many Japanese irrespective of age
Tour groups come from all over Japan to the famous Kyoto temples and shrines.
These written prayers stand outside a Buddhist temple
For Buddhists, the footprints of the Buddha symbolize his presence, much as the cross symbolizes Christ
This Japanese Buddhist monk is inscribing Chinese characters, used in Japan for sacred writings
Jizo statues for sale, with Professor Jeannette Ludwig
Japanese believe jizo protect women, children and travelers; hence, people often offer prayers to them.
Statues of this sort can be found in Buddhist temples, representing the future Buddha. Known in Japanese as 'Hotei,' it literally means 'cloth sack,' referring to the bag being carried.
This temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, was constructed in 1633. Notably, it was built without a single nail! The main hall of the temple complex stands above a waterfall.
The Kiyomizu-dera temple complex is guarded by stone lions.
Pilgrims to this historic temple wash before entering, using this ancient trough. This temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, was constructed in 1633. Notably, it was built without a single nail! The main hall of the temple complex stands above a waterfall.
This large bell, struck to mark services, stands in the Kiyomizu-dera temple, the most important in Kyoto, Japan
In Japan's society through pre-modern days, samurai constituted the country's military elite for nearly a thousand years. Samurai ranked just below daimyo lords in the social hierarchy.
The samisen is Japan's historic stringed instrument. It is plucked rather than bowed, and has three strings.