For over a thousand years Sakamoto has flourished as the temple town for Hieizan Enryakuji Temple. It has also supported an elite group of monks known as "Ajari san" who go about their spiritual training in the mountains bordering this village.
In this online experience we will immerse ourselves in this ancient place and explore the training that pushes these monks to extreme limits in their quest to reach enlightenment.
"Sakamoto and the Monks of Hieizan"
Online Experience
SATURDAY JAN 29TH
7pm NY / 4pm LA / 11am SYDNEY (30th) / 9am JAPAN (30th)
Moving through the countryside, we will visit:
※Rice fields that have been cultivated for hundreds of years by the people of this community.
※A medieval village lined with 1,000 year old stone walls.
※An Edo-period villa with exquisite gardens.
※An ancient cemetery where major figures in Japanese history are laid to rest.
※Deep forests, rippling rivers and a prominent mountain.
※One of the most important shrines in all of Japan.
※When our time together ends, you will feel enriched by the beauty and potency of Sakamoto and its surroundings, and awed by the story of those who resolutely practiced their devotions there.
Please DM me or comment below to reserve your space. I hope some of you can make it!
#kyoto #shiga #teambuildingevent #onlineevent #teambonding #calmmind #relaxtime #nature #kyototour #spiritual
Zen Garden, Zen Mind
Autumn Edition
Interactive Online Experience
SUNDAY NOV 28th
7pm NY / 4pm LA /
11am SYDNEY (29th) /
9am JAPAN (29th)
Zoom | 90 min.
$22 USD / Donation of your choice
Virtually transport to Kyoto and experience the power of the Japanese garden.
As we are immersed in these magical spaces you will hear deep insights into our surroundings that will allow you to appreciate the Japanese garden for much more than just it’s physical beauty.
Once our time comes to an end you will certainly never see plants, stones and water in the same way again.
A WALK AMONG 1,200 SACRED STATUES
Saturday Sept. 11th
830pm New York
530pm Los Angeles
1030am Sydney (12th)
930am Sydney (12th)
For the most relaxing and inspirational 90 minutes reserve your spaces at: https://www.andesignkyoto.com/a-walk-among-1200-sacred-statues
Around 40 years ago a Buddhist monk and his son started a project at their temple, Otagi Nenbtusu-ji, which brought regular people from all over Japan to come and carve their own Rakan statue.
The Rakan are the disciples of the Buddha who have achieved enlightenment through their rigorous practice and personal hard work. They protect and carry on the teachings of the Buddha here on earth. In total 1,200 statues were carved at this temple, making this one of the most unique and mystical spaces in all of Kyoto.
Please consider joining me for this weekend’s session of “A Walk Among 1,200 Sacred Statues”. As we virtually explore the grounds of this sacred space you will fully come to understand why this is one of the most unique temples in all of Kyoto.
#kyoto #arashiyama #otaginenbutsuji #hiddenkyoto #bambooforest #onlinetour #onlineevent #onlineadventure #buddhism #culture #travel #virtualjapan #calmmind #japantemple #temple #buddhisttemple #traveljapan #travelkyoto #relaxtime #explore_japan #wanderlust #wabisabi #tokyocameraclub #insta_japan #offthebeatenpath #japan #kyototour #京都 #嵐山 #愛宕念仏寺
When I first had the idea for the “SAKAMOTO” online experience I went out with an old camera and a recently purchased stabilizer that I didn’t know how to use and shot a couple hours of video in the streets of Sakamoto.
When I came home and uploaded the material to my computer I could see the colors were all washed out and the images were shaky. In the final edits I didn’t end up using any of videos.
But now here they have resurfaced. Here is the first video in a short series walking the streets of Sakamoto. I promise you all the videos on the online experience are of much better quality than this:)
#kyoto #japan #sakamoto #onlinetour #onlineevent #zen #buddhism #shintoshrine #traveljapan #travel #visitkyoto #japanesegarden #wanderlust #offthebeatenpath #naturelovers #culture #hiddenkyoto #京都 #坂本 #日本
A few peaceful moments at Hiyoshi Taisha in Sakamoto.
#kyoto #kyototour #sakamoto #japan #hiyosh*taisha #buddhism
#shintoism #travel #hiddenjapan #offthebeatenpath #onlinetour
“Sakamoto and the Monks of Hieizan” Online Experience is now available for private bookings! For more info. please see the link in the bio.
To the east of Kyoto is Sakamoto- a medieval town that has very much retained the historic and agricultural landscape reminiscent of years past. Sakamoto is where monks would come down from Mt. Hiei to rest and recharge in-between long bouts of very intense spiritual training.
In this online experience we will immerse ourselves in this ancient town and examine the training that pushes these monks, often known as the “Marathon Monks”, to the brink of death.
We begin our online journey walking from the base of the mountain through countryside. As we make our way into the town we stop at a Edo period villa that was established as an abode where the tired monks could rejuvenate. We then weave through the historic neighborhood streets visiting inconspicuous sites whose history goes back over 1,000 years. We end our time together in one of the oldest and most important shrines in all of Japan, climbing a mountain and making our way up to a major power spot overlooking the largest lake in Japan.
When our time comes to an end you will undoubtedly feel enriched and refreshed, much like the monks of Mt. Hiei of centuries past.
#kyoto #sakamoto #hieizan #ajarisan #onlinetour #onlineevent buddhism #culture #travel #wanderlust #wabisabi #japan #kyototour #京都 #坂本
“Sakamoto and the Monks of Hieizan” Online Experience is now available for private bookings! For more info. please see the link in the bio.
To the east of Kyoto is Sakamoto- a medieval town that has very much retained the historic and agricultural landscape reminiscent of years past. Sakamoto is where monks would come down from Mt. Hiei to rest and recharge in-between long bouts of very intense spiritual training.
In this online experience we will immerse ourselves in this ancient town and examine the training that pushes these monks, often known as the “Marathon Monks”, to the brink of death.
We begin our online journey walking from the base of the mountain through countryside. As we make our way into the town we stop at a Edo period villa that was established as an abode where the tired monks could rejuvenate. We then weave through the historic neighborhood streets visiting inconspicuous sites whose history goes back over 1,000 years. We end our time together in one of the oldest and most important shrines in all of Japan, climbing a mountain and making our way up to a major power spot overlooking the largest lake in Japan.
When our time comes to an end you will undoubtedly feel enriched and refreshed, much like the monks of Mt. Hiei of centuries past.
#kyoto #sakamoto #hieizan #ajarisan #onlinetour #onlineevent buddhism #culture #travel #wanderlust #wabisabi #japan #kyototour #京都 #坂本
“Sakamoto and the Monks of Hieizan” Online Experience is coming soon.
#kyoto #sakamoto #hieizan #ajarisan #onlinetour #onlineevent buddhism #culture #travel #wanderlust #wabisabi #japan #kyototour #京都 #坂本
This is a short walk through Okochi Sanso in Arashiyama during the early spring. I made this video and didn't end up using it for my work so I would like to share it now. Forgive me if it is a bit out of season.
This is the former estate of a silent film actor who was well-known in the middle 1900's. To be honest, when I first came to Kyoto I didn't particularly enjoy visiting here as I preferred to spend time in the gardens of the Zen temples. But the longer I have lived in Kyoto I have really fallen in love with this property and consider it one of my favorite places to spend time in any season.
A peaceful moment after the rain. If you would like to see the full 3 minute version of this video please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2bD2krZu7EdkwYe37P7EDw
#kyoto #konchiin #nanzenji #onlinetour #buddhism #zen #culture #travel #wanderlust #wabisabi #japan #kyototour #京都 #金地院
Rakushisha: The Hut of Fallen Persimmons
This is the first video in a new a series called "Revealing Kyoto".
These short documentaries will highlight the lesser-known but nonetheless fascinating cultural sites of Kyoto.
Rakushisha, or the Hut of Fallen Persimmons, is a small cottage on the west side of Kyoto which is of great historical significance in the world of Japanese poetry and haiku. Built by Mukai Kyorai, the main disciple of haiku master Matsuo Basho, it became a hub for poets during the Edo period. Basho visited the cottage four times at the end of the 17th century, and it is here that he wrote the Saga Nikki, one of the most significant works of Japanese poetry ever written.
Writing/ Direction/ Editing/ Narration:
Andrew William
Camera:
Ishihara Tsuyoshi
#japan #kyoto #rakushisha #japanesegarden #kyototour #onlinetour #haiku #mukaikyorai #matsubasho #buddhism #zen
