I'm also going to mention the souvenirs; I hope this would be of some use to those planning to visit this place, since there were no information regarding mementos.
This is a Buddhist rosary made of ebony. I purchased at a stand inside Konpon-chudo in To-do area.
Ebony, like leather, is said to show a worn, yet attractive feature over time. Now I wear it almost every time I go out.
I like it because it doesn't look too monk-like and can wear it as casual accessory.
Other than rosary, there were pentagon-shaped amulets, talismans made of paper, as well as decorative cell-phone straps and key-holders. There also were stick-type incense exclusively sold in Hieizan.
These books were purchased at Kokuho-den. We love buying books as souvenirs.
On the right side is Dengyo Daishi's biographical comic book.
It depicts why he came to Mt. Hiei from Nara (the religious and political metropolis of the day), how his creed earned the trust of the emperor, and how he suffered hardship during religious dispute between Nara's priests who were influenced by old regime.
Dengyo Daishi is shown as an honest and selfless man, and I think you'll become attracted to him once you read this book. Yeah, well, I know I’m quickly influenced...
The style is old-fashioned, neither "moe" nor "slender men with slanted eyes" are involved, but come on, this was first published in 1979.
Another on the left is a comprehensive guide with detailed information and a variety of photographs.
It explains the origin and development of this mountain, as well as major figures other than Dengyo Daishi, architectural
features of every temple, folklores regarding the priests, ties with Japanese literatures of all eras among others.
If you had no time to read the explanation on site, I highly recommend this book. It may be also fit as a gift for someone who's interested but can't go there for some reason.
The souvenir shop near Daikodo (Big Hall) in To-do area was rich with more worldly souvenirs.
I was attracted to Otsu-e (literally, pictures of Otsu; a town near Mt. Hiei). In Edo period, merchants in Otsu sold pictures of certain design to travellers as amulets.
After reading Soetsu Yanagi's book on Japanese handcrafts, I felt like seeing one for real in Otsu.
Unfortunately, the shop specializing in Otsu-e was not open on the day I was in Shiga prefecture. However, I was happy that I ran into Otsu-e in Mt. Hiei, so I bought two sorts of letter pad and one set of postcards.
One of the designs that were popular at that time, Daikokuten (god of wealth) shaving Fukurokuju's (god of happiness and longevity) head from the top of ladder. The illustration can be understood as an admonition; if you pursue excessive wealth, your life and happiness will be put into jeopardy.
Another favorite design is that of a monkey holding onto a catfish. The catfish represents slippery mind while the monkey represents superficial cleverness. They both exemplify human nature in satirical way.
For those looking for an extremely Japonesque memento...Postcards of Hiroshige Utagawa's "Eight Views of Omi".
Omi means "near the bay", "bay" referring to Lake Biwa. Omi mostly covers present Shiga prefecture,
where Mt. Hiei is located.
It is unknown who exactly chose the best eight sceneries but among the judges are aristocratic intellectuals and priests who visited Omi. The vivid shade of Berlin blue looks refreshing.
Adding a bit spiritual taste...this is an elementary guide to understanding "Hannya Sinkyo" or "Heart Sutra".
This was written by high ranking priest of Enryakuji.
I've completed reading, but I assume it will take
some time to really understand what "Heart Sutra" means.
The words written are profound, and I currently have no talent to explain them in foreign language.
Lastly, a lovely stuffed tanuki/raccoon dog called Pokomaru-chan.
Shiga prefecture is famous for pottery style called Shigaraki-yaki.
Shigaraki-yaki's main motif is tanuki, which is said to have eight aspects of fortune (from its woven hat that wards unprecedented evil off to its tail that helps matters to end well).
We also drove to Shigaraki Toen Tanuki-mura (Shigaraki Pottery Garden's Tanuki Village) to buy chinaware.
We didn't stay long since the facility was quite small and crowded, but here are the mementos.
A smile-provoking item for morning, this is Shigaraki coffee cup. The rough touch and simple coloring fascinates me.
Palm size figurines of tanuki and frog. Frog is also considered as a lucky charm, mainly since frog is "kaeru", homonymous to verb "return" in Japanese, thereby regarded as a creature to promise a safe return.
This is a Buddhist rosary made of ebony. I purchased at a stand inside Konpon-chudo in To-do area.
Ebony, like leather, is said to show a worn, yet attractive feature over time. Now I wear it almost every time I go out.
I like it because it doesn't look too monk-like and can wear it as casual accessory.
Other than rosary, there were pentagon-shaped amulets, talismans made of paper, as well as decorative cell-phone straps and key-holders. There also were stick-type incense exclusively sold in Hieizan.
These books were purchased at Kokuho-den. We love buying books as souvenirs.
On the right side is Dengyo Daishi's biographical comic book.
It depicts why he came to Mt. Hiei from Nara (the religious and political metropolis of the day), how his creed earned the trust of the emperor, and how he suffered hardship during religious dispute between Nara's priests who were influenced by old regime.
Dengyo Daishi is shown as an honest and selfless man, and I think you'll become attracted to him once you read this book. Yeah, well, I know I’m quickly influenced...
The style is old-fashioned, neither "moe" nor "slender men with slanted eyes" are involved, but come on, this was first published in 1979.
Another on the left is a comprehensive guide with detailed information and a variety of photographs.
It explains the origin and development of this mountain, as well as major figures other than Dengyo Daishi, architectural
features of every temple, folklores regarding the priests, ties with Japanese literatures of all eras among others.
If you had no time to read the explanation on site, I highly recommend this book. It may be also fit as a gift for someone who's interested but can't go there for some reason.
The souvenir shop near Daikodo (Big Hall) in To-do area was rich with more worldly souvenirs.
I was attracted to Otsu-e (literally, pictures of Otsu; a town near Mt. Hiei). In Edo period, merchants in Otsu sold pictures of certain design to travellers as amulets.
After reading Soetsu Yanagi's book on Japanese handcrafts, I felt like seeing one for real in Otsu.
Unfortunately, the shop specializing in Otsu-e was not open on the day I was in Shiga prefecture. However, I was happy that I ran into Otsu-e in Mt. Hiei, so I bought two sorts of letter pad and one set of postcards.
One of the designs that were popular at that time, Daikokuten (god of wealth) shaving Fukurokuju's (god of happiness and longevity) head from the top of ladder. The illustration can be understood as an admonition; if you pursue excessive wealth, your life and happiness will be put into jeopardy.
Another favorite design is that of a monkey holding onto a catfish. The catfish represents slippery mind while the monkey represents superficial cleverness. They both exemplify human nature in satirical way.
For those looking for an extremely Japonesque memento...Postcards of Hiroshige Utagawa's "Eight Views of Omi".
Omi means "near the bay", "bay" referring to Lake Biwa. Omi mostly covers present Shiga prefecture,
where Mt. Hiei is located.
It is unknown who exactly chose the best eight sceneries but among the judges are aristocratic intellectuals and priests who visited Omi. The vivid shade of Berlin blue looks refreshing.
Adding a bit spiritual taste...this is an elementary guide to understanding "Hannya Sinkyo" or "Heart Sutra".
This was written by high ranking priest of Enryakuji.
I've completed reading, but I assume it will take
some time to really understand what "Heart Sutra" means.
The words written are profound, and I currently have no talent to explain them in foreign language.
Lastly, a lovely stuffed tanuki/raccoon dog called Pokomaru-chan.
Shiga prefecture is famous for pottery style called Shigaraki-yaki.
Shigaraki-yaki's main motif is tanuki, which is said to have eight aspects of fortune (from its woven hat that wards unprecedented evil off to its tail that helps matters to end well).
We also drove to Shigaraki Toen Tanuki-mura (Shigaraki Pottery Garden's Tanuki Village) to buy chinaware.
Me with 5m tall tanuki statue.
We didn't stay long since the facility was quite small and crowded, but here are the mementos.
A smile-provoking item for morning, this is Shigaraki coffee cup. The rough touch and simple coloring fascinates me.
Palm size figurines of tanuki and frog. Frog is also considered as a lucky charm, mainly since frog is "kaeru", homonymous to verb "return" in Japanese, thereby regarded as a creature to promise a safe return.
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