These photographs do not do justice to the dazzling autumn colours and evening lighting at the Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺) in Kyoto. Many years ago I had made a daytime visit to this temple complex. I knew very little of Japanese culture then. As I know a little bit more now, this visit was a lot more enjoyable.
My only regret was that I did not have a tripod to enable me to take better nighttime photographs. So please excuse a bit shaky handheld photographs!
My only regret was that I did not have a tripod to enable me to take better nighttime photographs. So please excuse a bit shaky handheld photographs!
Kiyomizu-dera is an UNESCO World Heritage site and was founded in 798 during the Heian period 平安時代 while the current temple was constructed in 1633 which is early Edo period 江戸時代.
Edo period saw 250 years of peace, prosperity, flowering of arts and culture and economic growth. Surprisingly despite isolationist policies and strictly enforced environmental protection there was economic growth. Perhaps we and the climate negotiators to the Kyoto Protocol successor need to re-visit this period to see how this was achieved and learn from them.
Edo period saw 250 years of peace, prosperity, flowering of arts and culture and economic growth. Surprisingly despite isolationist policies and strictly enforced environmental protection there was economic growth. Perhaps we and the climate negotiators to the Kyoto Protocol successor need to re-visit this period to see how this was achieved and learn from them.
Image: Night time scenery and autumn colours at Kiyomizu dera, Kyoto. (November 2012)
This shows that even while conserving nature, one can economically benefit. It is a very good example.
ReplyDeleteSo true!
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