This photo was taken in May of 2000.
Now in March, You won’t find Eikando-temple magnificent because it is surrounded by thousands of artistic Japanese maple trees and all those Japanese maple trees are like old dead trees till spring comes.
Eikando is famous for Japanese maple trees and “Mikaeri kan-non“
The Japanese word “Mikaeri” means looking back. Kan-non is one of the objects that Buddhist worship.
The best time to visit Eikando-temple is early summer and fall, because Japanese maple trees get splendid beyond description. I’ve put several pictures in photo album. If you have some interest, please take a look.
Here is an interesting story about “Mikaeri Amida.”
One day, when Eikan, the monk was praying as usual in the morning in the main temple in front of Amida, the symbol of Buddha is suddenly descending from the top and ordered him to follow. At first, Eikan was walking behind him, but in no time, he started to think it should be his dream and made his steps slow. Just about when he stopped, Amida looked back, saying accusingly “You are too slow to follow ,Eikan.” That’s why the face of kan-non isn’t straight.
It is very unusual pose for Amida.