Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto, Japan whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Image circa 1985.
Golden Pavilion Kyoto
Nikko showcases some of Japan’s most splendid – even gaudy – high culture in a serene and evocative mountain wilderness, and offers a unique combination of natural quietude and cultural opulence. Image circa 1985.
Golden Decor at Nikko
Nikko, which means “sunlight” in Japanese, was founded in the 8th century by the Buddhist priest Shodo and is an extant showcase of the wealth and power of the Tokugawa clan. Nikko is famous for Toshogu, the mausoleum of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, and an outstanding cultural legacy of Japan’s Edo era. Image circa 1985.
Tribute to a Shogun
Nikko is a small city in Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture, in the mountains north of Tokyo. It’s the site of Toshogu, the famed Shinto shrine established in 1617 as a lavish memorial for Tokugawa Ieyasu, founding ruler of the Tokugawa shogunate, or Edo Period.
Continuing my conversion of slides to digital images from Nikko, Japan, circa 1985.
Intricate Designs at Nikko
A Japanese street vendor selling wares to a customer. Circa 1985.
Shopping on the Street in Japan
A formal portrait of a Japanese wedding party. Circa 1985.
Japanese Wedding Group
A newly married Japanese couple dressed in traditional garb. Circa 1985.
Newly Married Japanese Couple
A cute face and colorful kimono make this young Japanese girl seem like a doll. Circa 1985.
A Japanese Doll
Interesting image of Japanese children dressed in traditional costumes while the parents are in Western clothes. Circa 1985.
Japanese Family
A little Japanese girl dressed in a kimono circa 1985
Japanese Girl
Posting this week slides of Japanese people converted to digital images. A Japanese boy dressed in traditional costume against a backdrop of flowers circa 1985.
Japanese Boy
The serene reflections in a Japanese garden in Tokyo, Japan circa 1985
Japanese Garden Serenity
Impressive gardens at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan circa 1986.
Tokyo Imperial Palace Gardens
A Japanese lantern against a backdrop of Fall colors in Japan circa 1985.
Fall Colors in Japan
Mt. Fuji, Japan rising above the clouds as captured from the Shinkansen (bullet train) circa 1985.
Mt. Fuji Midst Clouds
Mt. Fuji in Japan is not covered with snow in summer but is still impressive as a mountain. Circa 1985.
Snowless Mt. Fuji
Japan’s Mt. Fuji is an active volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries, it’s considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes remain a popular activity.
A sign with directions on how to get to the top of Mt. Fuji circa 1985.
Getting to Mt. Fuji
Serenity at a lake in the mountains of Japan. Slide image circa 1985 converted to digital.
A Lake in the Mountains of Japan
A traffic policeman stands in middle of a busy intersection in Tokyo, Japan, circa 1985
In the Middle
Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower Tokyo, Japan. At 332.9 meters, it is the second-tallest structure in Japan.
Japan TV Tower
An upwards view of the Tokyo Tower circa 1985.
Looking Up at the Tower
Photos by Ravi 