January 16, 2010

• January 16

  Today's GO SOMEWHERE was the museum in Dazaifu to see a gong show.  These two bells have been designated as National Treasures.  They were both made in Fukuoka around 700.  One is installed at Myoshinji Temple in Kyoto, and the other is at Kanzeonji Temple in Dazaifu.  Both of these bells are mentioned in ancient literature such as the writings of Sugawara Michizane (exiled from Kyoto to Dazaifu around 800) and Tsure-Zure Gusa (Kyoto) by Kenko Hoshi.  They are considered twin bells as they were probably made around the same time in the same place, and they have been brought to the Kyushu National Museum as part of an exhibition.

  

  The above bell is from Myoshinji Temple in Kyoto.

  

  This bell is from Kanzeonji Temple in Dazaifu.

  

  

  

  The bells were rung twice at 11:00 and 1:00, and we stayed for both sessions.  I took video of the second session from a stairway perch.

  

  The temple bells are rung by priests after the reading of sutras.  I suppose that because these are temple bells that it is something of a religious ceremony.  The sutra reading was long and without much action, so I didn't record it.  No one really understands what they are saying anyway unless one has studied them, and most people haven't.  It was pretty impressive to hear a sounds that people have been listening to for over 1,000 years!

  

  LUNCH!!  We ended up eating at around 2:00 at a very nice noodle shop.  I had Ozoni New Year's soup, which was quite delicious!

  

  • 07:36
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