This is Kasuga Grand Shrine. It is the largest and most typical Shinto shrine in Nara. It was the family shrine of the Fujiwara family. The Fujiwaras, being the closest relatives to the Imperial Family, were the most influential family among the court nobles from the 8th to 11th century.
Today Kasuga Grand Shrine is famous for its many lanterns (2,000 stone lanterns and 1,000 bronze ones) and wisteria. Fujiwara literally means 'wisteria field' and wisteria is a family crest of Fujiwara family. Now wisteria is in full bloom. These are pictures I took yesterday. Yesterday was a little rainy and foggy when I visited there.
Wisteria was carved here on the pedestal of the Korean gurdian dog.
Nara deer are walking, eating and sleeping freely. They have been protected with care for many centuries, so they are very tame and not afraid of visitors. They come closer to you when you buy deer cracker.
This is part of Our World Tuesday.
How beautiful the lacy, drapey wisteria! We saw some on a recent trip to Washington, DC. It doesn't grow where I live.
ReplyDeleteThis is just amazing! It almost does not even look real! The little deer are cute too. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos...so serene and filled with loveliness.
ReplyDeleteI like this blue rain flowers. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful! Very interesting as a Japanese man.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, a beautiful part of our world. I'd love to visit Japan one day.
ReplyDeleteyour pictures are really beautiful love Annie, the wisteria look so gorgeous, like a waterfall, they hang down and your history and descriptions are always great, I learn about your country much to, thank you and best wishes from Geli
ReplyDeleteThese are really gorgeous photos, Annie. We learnt about Nara at high school and I've always wanted to visit there, with your photos re-enforcing that now!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of flowers in an fairytale landscape. Only the fairytale is real. Thanks for showing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely shower in lavender color! I love the first, second and last shots. Great captures!
ReplyDeleteI especially liked the second photo because it seemed the Wisteria vines were raining mystical blue over the Shrine.
ReplyDeleteYou have the most beautiful flowers in your city! I love visiting your blog to see them. I can almost smell these beauties from here. :)
ReplyDeleteThe wisteria is beautiful. We have some here too. Your pictures are amazing!
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