Monday, July 15, 2013

A Stroll Around the Remains of an Ancient Palace

Sweltering heat waves put an end to rainy season earlier than usual a week ago.
Somehow I brought up enough courage to go for a walk for a change.


I rambled on the north side of Nara Heijyo-kyo Palace remains. The remains and the surrounding area were designated as World Heritage Site in 1998.
The first Daigokuden (第一次大極殿), center building, was restored for the commemorative events of the 1,300th anniversary of Nara Heijyo-kyo Capital three years ago.

 Imperial domicile corridors (trace of the pillars ) are shown by boxwood(柘植) in the back courtyard.


Leaving them on your right, you find this big pond called Mizukami Pond.



Too hot was that day to stroll but it gave me clear and calm and peaceful feeling, an occasional blowing wind made ripples on the water and blurred the clouds. Several grey ducks were seen to be coasting along. This place is known as a migratory birds’ paradise. Especially from fall to winter, various wild birds are seen to come here to pass the winter.



picture taken by Shozo Yona
Last winter, however, a pitiful shot taken by a local photographer appeared in the local newspaper and drew attention. He noticed a grey duck making a noise and struggling. It got its bill and head stuck in a plastic ring. 
What surprised him more was that he saw other ducks and swans approaching it and especially a mute swan seemingly trying to help it get rid of the ring, though it didn't seem to be  successful. 
It was the first time, he said, to see a wild bird try to help different species in a difficult situation. It blew a whistle against human’s carelessness and thoughtlessness. (related article is here)



This area is a part of “history road” established by Nara prefecture around forty years ago. You can move around by bicycle too. Just near the pond, there lies the imperial tomb attributed to Iwanohime-no-mikoto(磐之媛命)

She was a consort of Emperor Nintoku(仁徳天皇) who was the 16th emperor of Japan in the late 4th to early 5th century. Burial Mound in Sakai, Osaka which is attributed to him is the biggest key-hole shaped mausoleum of 486m long. I wondered why his empress has lain so far away from his.




According to the old chronicles(Kojiki and Nihonshoki), she was described as a deeply jealous personality. She was constantly annoyed and restless by the amorous emperor. The news that he let the mistress in the palace while she was away to procure goods for the banquet, who she wouldn’t want him to love, was the last straw. In a fit of jealousy and anger, she threw away everything she got and never returned to his palace ever after. She must have been strong and a presence that he couldn’t ignore, so he showed his sincerity toward her by visiting her place for himself to ask for her return but in vain.

On the other hand, in Manyo-shu(万葉集), the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry, she expressed her wavering love for her husband;

君が行き 日長くなりぬ 山たずね 迎へか行かむ 待ちにか待たむ
Long are days since you are gone 
Shall I go and see over mountain paths
Or keep waiting for you 


Anyway I am glad she had the freedom to get her own way. Hope the rest of her life was stress free and peaceful. 



In early summer, iris laevigata(かきつばた) and water lilies filling the moat are in full bloom. 
I was in the hope to see them but irises were already gone and water lilies were taking a nap in that broad daylight.



  These shots were taken in June




                 It's hard to recognize but they are nuphar japonica (河骨)
   
Take good care of yourself, friends. I hope you are having a nice summer season.

44 comments:

  1. Your header of Mizukami pond looks great!

    Interesting post with many historical and current stories.
    My husband who were grown up in Nara was told that the capital was there 1,200 years ago... but recently 1,300 anniversary was held!!

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    1. Oh, it means your husband is over 100 years old now?^ ^ Time really flies!
      In another 100 years from now, I wonder what changes the future generation will see.

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  2. 水上池で他の水鳥の受難を救おうとする水鳥、これこそ種族を超えた真の愛ですね。ザトウクジラの群れがシャチの群れに襲われていたコククジラの子供を救うドキュメンタリー場面をみて感激したことがあります。ザトウクジラたちは常に群れで行動し弱っているものや幼いものを守る習性が強い種なのだそうです。なぜ人間は人間同士争うのをやめないのでしょうね。それにしても炎天下に日陰のほとんどない平城宮跡を歩かれたとは! その甲斐あって、いい写真がとれましたね。 池や御陵では、ほっと一息、スイレン、コウホネが涼やかです。

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    1. 「好奇心から近づいて行っただけだ」と話す専門家もいましたが、私は友愛だと信じたいです。動物の世界のドキュメンタリー番組は美しい画像とともに自然界の摂理、愛、厳しさも映し出されて感動しますね。

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  3. Your new header picture is gorgeous--I love the cloud reflections in the pond.

    What an interesting walk you had--such a great mixture of nature and history. Wonderful poem!

    I've heard about birds getting their heads stuck in plastic rings so now I cut them before I throw them away. The interspecies help topic is fascinating.

    The water lily pictures are lovely -nice to see the contrast.

    Jen

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    1. There are cases wild birds or waterfowls become victims caused by what was left by anglers or illegal dumping. With a little consideration, their lives would not be threatened. You are thoughtful enough to cut rings just in case. I was glad to know the interspecies help too.

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  4. What a lovely place to share with us! The boxwood pillars look like sentries guarding the palace. I am fascinated by ruins and stories of lovers' tragedies. It's so sad about the duck. One time when we were living on the lake near Tallahassee, I freed an anhinga from a partially submerged net that it became entangled in. It was frightened when I came near but was glad to have a chance to live. Of course, I didn't have my camera along to capture the story.

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    1. Oh, you saved a life! Good for you! There were some times I came across birds' suffering but there was nothing I could do. Just like the case in the post, they were not in the distance I could reach and to find myself helpless...

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  5. Hello Cosmos,
    Thank you for braving the heat to bring us these beautiful photos and interesting historical story.This lady must have been a very strong willed person.
    The water lilies are just perfect and your header photo amazing.It looks like a peaceful place to spend some time......maybe more so at a cooler time!

    Have a lovely week,
    Ruby

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    1. She is supposed to be like that according to the chronicles but it's interesting to think there might be hidden stories behind that. Those public figures must be careful how they are remembered in the history.
      I'd like to walk around there again under a comfortable weather.

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  6. What a beautiful place cosmos, I loved walking with you by the pond and taking in the soft breeze and admiring the reflections in the pond. Your pictures are super as always, I am intrigued by those boxwoods, so artistic. The swan and duck story is tragic and touching and so is the story of the empress. I feel for their love after separation.

    It is still rainy season in India and will continue for about one more month at least. Stay protected from your heat wave and stay cool, cosmos. Wish you a fabulous and a cooler week ahead :)

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    1. Thank you, Arti.
      One more month of rainy season! I hope you won't be too much weary of it. Here, until a few days ago, pouring showers helped lower the temperature, though. I still have to weather the intense heat.
      Stay healthy and cool, Arti.

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  7. cosmosさん こんにちは! 
    奈良の都、夏空遠くに浮かぶ雲。澄む水辺に自分の姿を映して嬉しげな雲。見ていて楽しいです。
    愛情溢れる水鳥と水草。そのような、なにげない自然を 素直で優しい眼差しで写し撮られるcosmosさんの人となりが分るような素敵なお写真です。
    「迎へか行かむ 待ちにか待たむ」う~ん。どうしようか迷いますね。
    私は山を越えて行って、待ち人とすれ違っちゃうタイプかも・・・です。(;´▽`A はぁ~
     
     
     

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    1. 素敵なコメントありがとうございます。気持ちがほっこりしてきます。平凡なんですねよぇ。これが私の個性なんでしょうね。「私は山を越えて行って、待ち人とすれ違っちゃうタイプかも」・・クスっとくる自己分析です^-^

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  8. What a peaceful place, and very beautiful. the temple itself is in open countryside and this must have been hard to walk around and enjoy in very hot weather. On the other hand the lake is a marvellous place, and a wonderful picture for your header. It's lovely to see the two shades of blue, and the clouds reflected....

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    1. Jenny, actually it looks like a temple but it's the Imperial Audience Hall(Palace) where Emperors conducted state affairs. There were no buildings in the Palace Site with only green field in the city of Nara, but the gate(1998) and the main building(2010) were reconstructed. The 1300th anniversary was successful in drawing lots of people to Nara.

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  9.  こんばんは。暑さの中を歩いた甲斐がありましたね。とても美しい写真です。空を大きく入れた写真はとても素晴らしいです。
     何か郷愁さえも感じます。池の写真もとても素敵です。古墳のお話もとても心を惹かれます。

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    1. ありがとうございます。奈良には平城宮跡を含め、歴史的にも興味のある名所旧跡がたくさんあります。奈良に住んでいながら知らない(興味がなかった?)事が多くて、Rediscover Nara です。

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  10. こんばんわ~!
    コスモスさんのポスト待っていましたよ。それにしても暑い中、平城宮跡を歩かれたとはびっくりしました。平城宮の北側は、車の多い道路に面した朱雀門から入るのとはまた違った雰囲気がありますね。緑が多く池も古墳も静かにたたずんでいて散歩するのにはすばらしい場所だと思います。
    ポストされる前から、ヘッダーを見せてもらってました。ちょっと大きく見えるけど大渕池だろうと思っていました。水上池だったんですね。白い雲が水の中にポッカリ,ポッカリ浮かんで可愛いです。

    ピンクと白の水連は美しい!ホントみずみずしい。
    良い週末を!

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    1. Tomokoさん、ありがとう!去年の10月頃だったか、同じ所を散策していると、水上池のほとりで大きなカメラを提げたおじ様達が何人かおられたの。何を撮るんですかと尋ねると、猛禽類(タカなどの類)が飛んでくるのでそれを待っているんだと。そういう所なんだとわかりました。御陵の周濠には睡蓮の葉がびっしりで、花の時期に是非きてみようと思ったのでした。思い立つのがちょっと遅かった!カキツバタも枯れた花が残っていました。来年こそ!

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  11. I can feel the heat and humidity just looking at those photos!

    Even this tough-talking South African has to admit that the recent heat wave left her limp and sodden during her walkpeditions. I don't have enough hands to hold a camera ánd wipe my face ánd re-adjust my sunglasses slipping down a sweaty nose. :D

    That story about the duck and the swan is amazing! Thanks for sharing it!

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    1. I can see how hard it is during your walkpedition. Your post is a product of perspiration and tears!

      I didn't want to be added on the list of aged women to have been carried to the hospital because of heat stroke, I gave up halfway. I'd like to try again at more pleasant time.
      Take care of yourself, Ru.

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  12. Beautiful place! And your pictures want me to go there. I really like the reflection in no 3. Dreamy:-)

    Hope you have a good time over there. Here we have hot summer weather.
    Hugs from north

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  13. ヘッダーがすごく伸びやかで、見ていて気持ちいいです。夏の雰囲気もありさわやかな青色で涼しげです。
    仁徳天皇の奥様がそういうお方だとは。。。万葉人も現代人もかわりないのですね。
    平城京の北側?に池やら古墳やらあるんですね。今度行ってみます。
    Have a nice summer!

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  14. Thank you Spiderdama for visiting!

    Sarahさん、この辺は「歴史の道」の一部で、磐之媛命陵の他にも大きな古墳群がある所です。遠くに若草山や大仏殿の屋根も見え、山焼の時のView pointになるんじゃないかと思いました。磐之媛命に関してはとても嫉妬深いという定説があるようですが、それに反論の見方も載っていて読むと面白いです。

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  15. .•°♡♡♫° ·.

    As fotografias são lindas.
    Estou impressionada com a foto das aves,
    uma tentando ajudar a outra.
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil.•°
    °。✿✿

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  16. こんばんは

    夏空に平城京の建物が映えていますね。再建されたものだけど、きっと昔もこんな抜けるような青空の下、丹が照り映えていたことでしょう! すばらしいお写真です。イワノヒメは自立心のある、誇り高い方だったんでしょうね。私の好きなタイプの女性です。池の写真にはうっとり。私もNikon,使っていますが、もしかすると、御陵の写真は、風景モードですか?きれいな緑と青に見覚えがあった.....

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  17. Thank you Magia for your lovely comment!

    sapphire
    暑いですねぇ!先日の東京は酷暑だったり突然の激しい雷雨だったりで、大変だったようですね。お変わりないですか?
    訪問ありがとうございます。磐之媛は后妃としては初めての豪族出身の方だったようですが、天皇にも一目おかれる存在だったのでしょうね。どうしても譲れない事情もおありだったのでしょう。写真はAモードで撮っています。色んな操作はまだ呑み込めていなくて、運任せです^^;Sモードで今はやりの飛行犬(ご存知ですか?)を撮ってみたいです。

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  18. Such beautiful shots. Thank you for braving the heat!

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  19. はじめまして。私のブログへのコメントありがとうございます。
    もう13年くらい前になりますが奈良県生駒市に5年ほど住んでいました。平城京の御写真拝見するとその頃とは随分変わってきてるなぁ、って印象を受けました。機会があれば奈良を再訪してみたくなってしまいました。
    ここしばらくはこちらのブログに写真を掲載してますので、ご訪問頂けると幸いです。

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    1. ありがとうございます。
      Anne$Natsuさんへのコメントで、この近くにお住まいだったことを知ってなんだかうれしくなりました。その頃にYoshiさんが撮っておられたら拝見してみたいですが。

      Delete

  20. Hello, cosmos.

     A refreshing atmosphere has been filled.
     n a summer season, I may look good with scenery of Nara very well.

     Thank you for lovely photography.

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  21. Our photos and ruma, thank you for visiting!
    We've been experiencing a terrible heat wave. Stay cool and take good care of yourself.

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  22. Your blog is beautiful! The photographs are such a delight. I love the deer, and all of the flowers. Sad story about the duck, people do not realise how discarding debris harms wildlife. I love your cat Coo! Minerva x

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    1. Hello Minerva,
      Thank you for coming. Coexistence of human beings and deer has been one of characteristics of huge Nara Park. Here deer are considered a messenger of god and they are so tamed. I love Mrs Black too.
      Looking forward to visiting and seeing her!

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  23. Lovely blog with great photos and descriptions!
    I'll sure be back here!

    Hugs

    Bia
    www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

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    1. Beatriz, thank you for coming!
      I'll visit your blog soon.

      Delete
  24. We've had an unusually hot summer here and while on holiday, we were trying no to surrender to the scorching hot but to make a trip every day, so I guess I can imagine what your feelings must have been. I'm glad you went for the walk, bringing these interesting pieces of history to us. The Mizukami Pond looks refreshing...

    The story of the swan and duck sounds both sad and positive, as it witnesses the swan's effort. That was really interesting.

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    1. Hello, Petra, welcome to my blog!
      Oh, you are also experiencing the scorching hot in your part of the world. I was wondering how you spent your summer holidays with your loved ones. Looking forward to visiting and seeing what you wrote.

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  25. Hello, cosmos.

     Blue sky of Nara seems to express the exhilaration of summer.

     Take care of yourself.

     ruma

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    1. Ruma, thank you for stopping by again. Thanks to rain since last night, the intense heat has eased now.
      I hope it will help to improve lack of water as well. Take good care of yourself too, Ruma.

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  26. a wonderful scenary, thanks a lot for sharing.

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