Ryugenji

Title: Ryugenji, Pen & Ink
Size: Original is 22" x 30"
© 2006, Scott Moore

Ryugenji temple is a three tiered pagoda in the town of Usuki, Japan. This particular temple is a few minutes walk from where I was living in Japan, and is one of the finest temples I have seen. It was a peaceful place to visit, and the most remarkable thing is that it's a part of the town, and a part of people's daily lives, as opposed to being roped off and preserved as a tourist attraction.

Perhaps nothing symbolizes the architecture of Japan better than the curved tile roof patterns and complex wood patterns found in the pagoda. I've always found the temples calming and enjoy sitting at the steps and enjoying a cup of coffee (I'm not a big tea drinker). This particular pagoda is a landmark in the area, and I particularly enjoyed seeing its silhouette against the night sky as it's always lit with flood lights at night.

There is a bus stop just out in front of the temple, and I found it an interesting visual with the four bus stop seats there. A temple is equivalent to a western church and graveyard. This is where people go to be laid to rest, and there out front were four seats where people would go to sit and wait for their journey to destinations unknown.

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