Kyoto City of Zen. Judith Clancy

      Early morning visitors to Heian Shrine peek through the massive vermilion doors as shrine priests within perform their morning tasks.

      Offerings of sake and fresh vegetables are presented on high trays to the gods at Hirano Shrine. Even today, shrine priests, while performing Shinto rites, are garbed in clothing and clogs modeled on those of the ancient court.

       KYOTO

      CITY OF ZEN

      VISITING THE HERITAGE SITES OF JAPAN’S ANCIENT CAPITAL

      Judith Clancy

      Photography by Ben Simmons

      The poise and grace of Gion’s young kimono-draped maiko (apprentice geiko) extend down to their gleaming white tabi socks in raised wooden geta footwear.

      CONTENTS

       CHAPTER 1

       Introducing Kyoto

       A Brief History of Japan’s Ancient Capital

       Zen Buddhism and the Tea Ceremony

       Kyoto’s Amazing Architectural Heritage

       Unique Kyoto Food Traditions

       Kyoto’s Exquisite Arts and Crafts

       Kyoto’s Amazing Festivals

       Gardens of Kyoto

       CHAPTER 2

       Central And Eastern Kyoto

       Kyoto’s Imperial Palace

       Nijo Castle

       Heian Jingu

       Downtown Kyoto

       The Gion District

       Kiyomizu-dera

       Kennin-ji Temple

       Nanzen-ji Temple

       CHAPTER 3

       Northern Kyoto

       Ginkaku-ji

       Tetsugaku-no-Michi

       Shisendo

       Shugakuin Imperial Villa

       Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines

       Daitoku-ji

       Mount Hiei and Enryaku-ji Temple

       Kurama Village

       Ohara Village

       CHAPTER 4

       Western Kyoto

       Kinkaku-ji

       Ryoan-ji

       Ninna-ji

       Myoshin-ji

       Arashiyama

       Sagano Village

       Takao Village

       CHAPTER 5

       Southern Kyoto

       Tofuku-ji Temple

       Fushimi Inari Shrine

       Saiho-ji

       Katsura Imperial Villa

       Daigo-ji Temple

       Byodo-in

       Ujigami Shrine and the Genji Museum

       Bibliography and Glossary

       Dedications and Acknowledgments

      Snowy accents on a lion’s head. Summer visitors enter a noren-curtained entrance for a tea ceremony. A black- lacquered window frames the glorious autumn scenery of Kyoto. Traffic-streaked lights shimmer below the World Heritage pagoda of Toji Temple. Too good a chance to pass up, a visitor attempts to capture a temple’s resident tabby. A lusciously glazed tea bowl is presented to a guest.

      CHAPTER 1

      INTRODUCING KYOTO

      Below a calendar depicting the garden within, a pair of modest zori thong footwear sit on a shelf in a temple’s entrance.

       *See district maps on pages 66 (Northern Kyoto), 96 (Western Kyoto) and 122 (Southern Kyoto) for sites outside this map.

      KYOTO’S MAIN HERITAGE SIGHTS

      CENTRAL AND EASTERN KYOTO

      1. Kyoto Imperial Palace, page 36

      2. Nijo Castle, page 40

      3. Heian Shrine, page 42

      4. Downtown Kyoto, page 46

      5. The Gion District, page 50

      6. Kiyomizu Temple, page 54

      7. Kennin-ji Temple, page 58

      8. Nanzen-ji Temple, page 60

      NORTHERN KYOTO

      9.