Kyoto

Sep 10, 2014 - 1 min read

Vermilion Genkoan Temple, Kyoto

Window of 'Spiritual Awakening' and 'Troubled Minds'

By Masayoshi Hirose

Community writer

Translated by Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

What I saw from the 'Window of Satori (Spiritual Awakening)' was brilliance

I meditated on the 'Window of Mayoi (Troubled Minds)' in a Zen-like trance

Autumn leaves ablaze under a high, blue sky

Looking up at these beautiful red leaves made me speechless

These vermillion leaves look like a blind that shuts out the outside world

Luscious, graceful...I don't have the proper words to describe this wonderufl autumn foliage

The bright beams of the setting sun add gloss to these luscious leaves

I returned to the two windows...what a splendid day it was!

I visited Genkoan Temple in Takagamine, Kyoto, around November 20th last year. The best time to see the autumn leaves differs each year, so it's quite hard to determine when to go! In short, you just have to take your chances and go when you can. You may be lucky, or unlucky. I was VERY lucky when I visited here; the autumn foliage was at its peak of beauty - perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime chance of good luck for me. It might never happen again my entire life.

Was this article helpful?

Help us improve the site

Give Feedback

By Masayoshi Hirose

Community writer

Following Follow

Translated by Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Following Follow

Novriana Dewi 9 years ago

The view from "Window of Satori" is really wonderful! Never had the chance to visit Kyoto during autumn, but I'm happy enough to enjoy them from your pictures, Hirose-san. Thank you for sharing this!

Lester Goh 9 years ago

Excellent photos as always, Hirose-san! 'The Window of Satori' seems like the architect's interpretation of a "window to the soul", an inspiring framing of nature.

Masayoshi Hirose Photographer 9 years ago

Lester-san,Thank you very much! You give me always happy words to me!

Yuliana Adenan 10 years ago

I personally love the "autumn leaves ablaze under high,blue sky"-it feels like the color composition of this photo is really good, and as for"window of satori'-it looks like a painting ;the one that you can see without blinking your eyes.

Masayoshi Hirose Photographer 10 years ago

YULIANA-san,Thank you very much! The world to see from a window was splendid.

Masayoshi Hirose Photographer 10 years ago

Radica-san,Thank you very much. I'm very happy.

Radica Sooknarine 10 years ago

The exuberance of autumn are so beautifully captured in these photos. Great job!

13 comments in total

Explore nearby

Information

Map (Directions)

Novriana Dewi 9 years ago

The view from "Window of Satori" is really wonderful! Never had the chance to visit Kyoto during autumn, but I'm happy enough to enjoy them from your pictures, Hirose-san. Thank you for sharing this!

Lester Goh 9 years ago

Excellent photos as always, Hirose-san! 'The Window of Satori' seems like the architect's interpretation of a "window to the soul", an inspiring framing of nature.