 Joshoko-Ji (D-113)Standing back in the shadows of the huge trees, the temple was so completely hidden that it appeared to have been walled to withstand a siege. Three long sections of the temple linked to form three sides of the rectangle around the central courtyard; the fourth side was completed by an egg-colored earthen wall and a dark brown gate. I noticed the five horizontal stripes on the wall, which indicated the high rank of the temple. Sixteen-petaled chrysanthemums were stamped on the roof tiles. On the left pillar of the gate was a neat, hand-drawn sign identifying the temple as being under the protection of the imperial house. It had the look of a stronghold that had outlived its occupants by centuries, and it was easy to imagine that it was either itself divine or the abode of divine beings. |
All photography in the William Corey Gallery is for sale and available in many sizes ranging from small to large mural formats. His fine images of japanese gardens look great in any corporate office, home, hotel or retail space.   |