Touring Kyoto Day Three

On Sunday we had a free day here, since Brand G offered optional excursions, such as a tea ceremony; most of these we'd experienced on previous trips to Japan. I planned a day of both new and old attractions in Kyoto. Our first stop was our favorite temple, the Kiyomizu-dera temple, which sits high on stilts on a hill overlooking the city. Unfortunately, the main building was shrouded, since its roof was being reconstructed. From there we took a cab to the magnificent Sanjusangen-do Temple, with a long hall housing 1,001 statues of Kanon, a Buddhist deity. All are life-size, wood and gilt, and stand regally,row after row - a unique achievement in sculpture of the Kamakura Period. The effect is mesmerizing. At the Kyoto National Museum we saw more great statues from the Kamakura Period, in an exhibit dedicated to a founding priest of the Ji-Shu Sect. After lunch and a rest at the hotel, I walked to two nearby adjoining temples, the Kennin-ji and Kodai-ji. The grounds and auxiliary buildings are extensive and majestic. Finally, we ate a Kaiseki dmultiple course dinner near the old, colorful Gion Corner, a short walk from our hotel. - Dan