Images

This is the ornate roof of the Daibutsuden or Great Buddha Hall of the Todaiji Temple Complex in Nara, Japan. Founded in 738 CE and officially opened in 752 CE when Nara was the capital, the temple is the headquarters of the Buddhist Kegon...

The Fushimi Inari Shrine near Kyoto (Heiankyo), Japan is the largest and most important shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity. The shrine was founded in 711 CE by the Hata clan and moved from its original location...

The Fushimi Inari Shrine near Kyoto (Heiankyo), Japan is the largest and most important shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity. It is famous for the large number of red gates (torii) at the site. The shrine was founded...

The Fushimi Inari Shrine near Kyoto (Heiankyo), Japan is the largest and most important shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity. It is famous for the large number of red gates (torii) at the site. The shrine was founded...

This is a miniature altar at the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine in Kyoto, Japan dedicated to the fox god Inari.

A gold nomisma (solidus) coin of Byzantine emperor Romanos I (r. 920-944 CE). He is shown with his eldest son Christopher. (Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com)

The Arashiyama "Sacred Grove" or bamboo forest is located in Arashiyama, Japan. Arashiyama and the adjoining Sagano area first became popular during the Heian period when courtiers and the imperial family sought privacy and seclusion away...

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest or "Sacred Grove" is located in Arashiyama, Japan. Arashiyama and the adjoining Sagano area first became popular during the Heian period when courtiers and the imperial family sought privacy and seclusion away...

This is the torii gate at the Agata Shrine in Uji, Japan. It divides the sacred from the profane world in Shinto belief.

This is a sacred tree at the Agata Shrine in Uji, Japan. This tree is regarded by Shinto believers as being a "yorishiro," meaning that it is capable of attracting spirits called kami. This yorishiro is used to summon the kami to ceremonies...