October 6, 2010

L is for Lamps and Lanterns

Japan has an abundance of beautiful traditional lighting styles. These are just a few styles of lamps and lanterns I captured in Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera, more simply known as Kiyomizu Temple.

 Kyoto, 2009


Kiyomizu Temple is a World Heritage Site in Kyoto. Dating back to 786, not a single nail was used to build the temple, the brown building you see on the right. The orange buildings on the left were added in 1633. 


ABC Wednesday is up to L and there you'll find more links to people's creative posts using the letter.

31 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Terrific post as always and what a perfect one for the L Day! I love Japanese lamps and lanterns and the temple is awesome! Marvelous captures! Hope you're enjoying a Lovely L Day, Francisca!

Sylvia

photowannabe said...

Lovely. I really like the style of the first lights. its always interesting coming to your post and seeing your creative posts.

Vinay Leo R. said...

those lamps do look very beautiful.. and creative! :D

My ABC Wednesday L

Kay L. Davies said...

Wow, no nails. THAT amazes me more than today's technological changes.
Wonderful pictures, as always, Francisca.
-- K

Barbara said...

Lovely images. Great choice for L.

jabblog said...

Glorious lamps and Japanese buildings are always so attractive. Having taught many Japanese children I have concluded that there is an innate sense of beauty and form.

Shooting Parrots said...

Great photos as ever. regarding your question about the headers on my site, I created the images to incorporate my parrot in his random world, but the Flash effects are done with Banner Rotator from FlashXML. (http://www.flashxml.net/banner-rotator.html). It’s a free plugin, although you can pay $12 to remove their logo. It is effective though.

Lowell said...

You are a lamp unto the world! Seriously, these are all terrific shots. I've always thought Japanese lanterns were beautiful and you've proven that!

Re your comment on Ocala: I think those benches in back of Dillards are probably used mostly by smokers taking a break...but I'm not sure as I've never seen anyone back there!

EG CameraGirl said...

Another wonderful post, Francisca! You going to these places is ALMOST as good as me going there. :)

Lowell said...

I meant to tell you how much I appreciate all of your comments...and with re the Colorado blog somehow none of the comments showed up for days so I simply thought no one was commenting at all...

I didn't not respond because I didn't care...okay? :-)

Joy said...

Beautiful lamps and buildings.

VioletSky said...

I don't believe you ever see a solitary Japanese lantern - they always seem to appear in multiples.

Gigi Ann said...

The Lamps and Lanterns are Lovely. Great choice for L day.

Roger Owen Green said...

love those lanterns!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Jingle said...

love the lanterns and lamps in your post, they look festive, red is a happy color.

here is my ABC Wednesday entry:
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/l-is-4-leos-lots-of-laughter/

thanks for visiting!

Coffeeveggie addict. said...

beautiful lanterns and lights!taiwan and japan has a bit similarity when it c0mes t0 lanterns and lights. the stronger and the flexible

Cezar and Léia said...

Dear friend, these Japanese lamps are beautiful, thanks so much for sharing these lovely pictures and so adorable place!I love your last picture, it's a perfect postcard, a brilliant composition!
hugs
Léia

Nanka said...

Beautiful lamps and lanterns, and had read about the beauty of Kyoto. Yes seen the Famous Temple on many a Postcards ...Beautiful!!

Mo said...

oh is it lantern festival time

Singapore plants lover said...

Beautiful Japanese lamps

Gattina said...

I love these lamps !

MaR said...

Beautiful lamps and lanterns, exotic buildings as well!
ABC

shirley said...

I have never traveled to Japan and am always in awe of the images I see from there. I must go and see the beauty for myself one day. Thank you for sharing it with me today!

Granny Smith said...

Lovely lamps and lighting! There are so many things of beauty in Japan. We have loved our visits there, whether on business or for pure peasure.

Hilda said...

I have a thing for lighting fixtures of all kinds, and these are great, Francisca! I love how old Japanese temples were made without nails, which I discovered just recently. Designs Ligna here makes their furniture the same way.

You know Impy personally? Yes, if you can ask her if the addition to the National Museum chandelier is hers, I'd appreciate it very much.

Sorry for not visiting much recently. My schedule has been very tight too and I can't visit all my favorite blogs everyday so I've been rotating. Then sometimes, I visit but run out of time to leave a comment.

Oh, and no, I don't teach. I work at the Development & Alumni Relations office.

Kaori said...

I never tire of walking through Kiyomizu temple! But I have to say I've never noticed those lamps before! You're photos are gorgeous, Francisca! I'm going to have to go take a closer look :-D

I hear that the temple has already planted the trees that will be used to rebuild in the year 2400!

VP said...

A great place, I liked that thing about no nails used, with an amazing variety of lamps.

Unknown said...

Exquisite post of the wonders of Japanese lamps and lanterns and the light they give us!
I have always wished to visit Kyoto. Thank you for taking me there!
Helen Mac, ABC team

Unknown said...

Exquisite post of the wonders of Japanese lamps and lanterns and the light they give us!
I have always wished to visit Kyoto. Thank you for taking me there!
Helen Mac, ABC team

Unknown said...

All are beautiful (as everything in the East) but the ones on top are unusual, at least for me.

Pat Tillett said...

I've spent a lot off time in Japan and have posted many photos from there. Some from this same temple. If you don't mind, I'm going to tag along.
Patrick Tillett, Extremely Overdue