The Nara city galley of photography

Mission the Irie Taikicni Memorial Nara City Museum of Photography (researched 27 Mar 2014)

 

 

 

 

 Following The Shinyakushiji Temple (researched 05 Mar 2014) I visited the gallery of photography to see whhat`s there.

 

 

 Unfortunately, I found it that place is not very friendly for those who love budget travel to cruise around because they prohibit eating and drinking own food in the premises.

 

 Due to unexpected fact that eating and drinking are prohibited, I couldn`t actualy carry out every part mission (I was starvinng) How ever, I found few things about the galley in the beginning of the task this is what I saw.

 

 First of all, the gallery was built to exhibit the works of IRIE Taikichi who was a master photographer took enormous pictures of Nara`s genuine and historical scenery. The gallery keeps near 80,000 photos of IRIE`s collection on film.

 

 

 

 2nd, the building was desighned by KUROKAWA Kisho to harmonise with epic surroundings.As a result, the building was constructed to be a low rised architecture.

 

 However, I found the beauty of modern desined architecture such as sophisticated balance of water and light, glass and steel.Also, the dynamic stracture from the basement through to the ground ponnd is spectacuular.

 

 

3rd, a few special exhibitions are held in a year.

 

 

4th, there is a little inhospitable café on the 1st floor.

 Over all

 The gallery has the car park (pay)  located 50m South of  the place

 

 Fees

 No cost up to one hour. ￥300 be charged on every excess one hour. (￥900 at maximum)

 

 

 Admission

￥500 for general. ￥200 for student. No cost on a person with a disability certificate.

 

 Open hours

 9 30-1700 (they let you in tilll 1630)

 

 Closed on Mondays (closed on Tuesdays in case of Monday is public holiday)

 

 How to get there

 

 City circulor bus from JR, Kintetsu Nara station. Getting off at Wari-ishi 破石, walk towards the East for 10min. It`s located the West from The Shinyakushiji Temple.

 

 

It's accessible all the way at the gallery. The elevator and the priority toilet are installed. The hire wheel chairs are available at the entrance.

 

 

Conclusion

I would recommend you to have your day to visit the gallery combining The Shinyakushiji Temple (researched 05 Mar 2014) The day would have you an epic experience in Nara.  

 

The Shin-yakushiji Temple

Mission The Shin-yakushiji Temple (researched 05 Mar 2014)

 

 

 

Even among the local people, The Shin-yakushiji Temple is often confused with The Yakushiji Temple because The Shin-yakushiji (新薬師寺) literally means the new yakushiji temple. However, the actual The Shin-Yakushiji Temple doesn't mean that the temple is newer but the temple is differently warshiped to The Yakushiji Temple.

 

However, I visited The Shin-yakushiji Temple to research What's there. Today, I'll let you know what I found at the temple through this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first of all, the temple was built in 747 to prey for the recoverly of the ill emperor Shomu. The temple has been worshiped widely since then.

 

 

 

2, the main hall (本堂）buit in the 8th century (Nara period) this is what you pay for at the

themple.The national treasure building accommodates all those statures which you want to watch. In the earlier days, the hall was a school for those who worship the temple.

(No photos are permitted at the hall)

 

3, the seating stature of Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来) the healing Buddha was made in the 8th century (Nara period). The temple is dedicated for the stature. Now, the wooden stature is registered as a national treasure.

 

4, the standing statures of Juni-Shinsho (十二神将) (8th century, national treasure) the clay made 12 statures are generals of "yasha"(spirit of the Indian mythology). Those 12 statures are guarding Yakushi Nyorai and the people who worship the temple.

However, each stature represents one of 12 oriental zodiac signs . I suppose that it will be a good fun to see which stature stands for your oriental zodiac. Ask 'em which is which.

 

5, the pond is hidden next to the main hall. 

 

 

 

6, stone images of Buddha

 

 

 

 

 

7, the campanile (the Kamakura period 10-11th century, Important Cultural Property)

 

 

 

8, the South gate (the Kamakura period 10 11th century, ICP) functions as the main gate of the temple.

 

 

The Buddhist services (縁日法要) are held every 8th of a month.

The Shunie festival (修二会) is held on the 8th Apr

The Shushoe festival (修正会) is held on the 8th Jan

 

Over all

The Shin-yakushiji Temple is a hidden place, has a nice and peaceful atmosphere as well as the greatest treasures such as those statures.

 

 

However, the temple is not very much accessible, difficult to find.

 

How to get there

Getting there by city circular bus (out circular) from JR Nara station and Kintetsu Nara station. Getting off a bus at the bus stop Wari ishi (破石町),15min walk to the temple.

A small free car park is located in front of the South gate as well as the reception where you are allowed to pay admission.

 

 

 

Cost　

¥600 per adult

 A disabled person Can get it free with your disability certificate.

 

Address  1352 Takabatake, Nara city 630-8301

PH 0742-22-3736

FAX 0742-26-1517

URL    http://www.k5.dion.ne.jp/~shinyaku/index.html

 

Conclusion

Thanks for the intensive rehabilitation that I had in the previous weeks, I could leave my wheel chair at the South gate to walk all the way with a good assistance of my friend.

 

 

However, it is gravely and has a few steps (South gate, main hall).

 

 

Also, the Western type toilet with hand rails is available, located behind the  campanile. A good leaflet (has English guidance) is given at the reception.

 

Tips

I advise you to vist the Nara city photography-gallery

The gallery is a modern designed building by Japan's master architect Kisho Kurokawa, accommodates the works of Taikichi Irie.

How ever, the contrast of modern architecture and ancient architecture of The Shi-yakusiji Temple is very much worth visiting.

PH 0742-22-9811 FAX 0742-22-9722 URL http://www1.kcn.ne.jp/~naracmp/index.html (I'll let you know about the gallery on this blog very soon.)

 

(All the photos were taken by C)

Takeda Shika-senbei Co

Mission, Takeda shika-senbei Co(researched Feb 27th 2014)

 

 Shika-senbei=special cracker to feed the deer

 

 

 

 Have you ever fed the deer shika-senbei at the Nara Park?

 

 Today, I'll let you know a bit about "shika-senbei" and "Takeda Co"

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First of all, the Takeda Co is one of five shika-sendei makers in Nara city, even in all over the world.The Takeda Co is the only manufacture who allows you to see the production line. In 1917, The Kasugataishiya Shrine gave the Takeda Co a permission to produce "shika-senbei to supply.

 

2, The Takeda Co has its workplace in an old town house called "machi-ya".

 

 

 

As you can see the photo, the place is a typical old town house in Nara.

I suppose Visiting Takeda Co would be a good opportunity to experience the real "machi-ya".

 

 

 

However, "machi-ya" serves as both workplace and residence for local tradesman. Machi-ya still has notable characteristics even today.

A, the narrow, long and rectangular structure.

B, the main corridor in the building functions as the only access to the workplace and storage which are located at back.

C, "naka-niwa (inner garden) let in the light and the nature from out side.

D, "kemuri-nuki (smoke duct), the elevated roof serves as an escape duct for smoke emitted from the kitchen.

E, "akari-tori (skylight), to ventilate the ground floor, allows air to circulate as well as the sun light to enter.

 

Back in the old days, the land taxes were assessed on the width of what it appears on the road side. Due to the taxation system, long and narrow structured machi-ya was built.

 

 

 

3, the enormous shika-senbei are produced in a busy day (Spring and Autumn) 10000-15000 shika-senbei are made in a day.

60% of what they produce is supplied to the agents at the Nara Park.

The rest is supplied to the zoos in other prefectures.

 

4, the ingredients of shika-senbei.

A, water

B, flour

C, bran

 

 

As you see the above list, shika-senbei is edible. Actually, I bit one it was alright.

 

5, at the Nara Park, shika-senbei is sold in a ten bunch that tied with a peace of paper made of soy bean and potato powder to make sure to be safe for the deer in case of being eaten by mistake. Cost you ¥150 for a bunch

 

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However, those shika-senbei at Nara Park must be sealed by the Nara Deer Preservation Society to sale.

 

Over all

Shika-senbei is very much well known across the nation. Now it's a representing thing of Nara.

 

 

After exploring the Nara Park and feeding the deer, it's a very good idea to see how shika-senbei is produced in a classic "machi-ya".

 

 

 

Bookings are essential to visit the Takeda Co. A small car park is available to

your request.

Address 2476-2 Nara-zaka Nara city Nara 630-8104

Ph & Fax 0742-22-4853

Web site is not available.

 

 

 

Conclusion

I would recommend all the wheel chair users to have a good solid assistant to vist the Takeda Co and any machi-ya. In general, old machi-ya has poor accessbility for the wheel chairs.